The Rita B. Garman Vermilion County Courthouse is going to resume most operations on Monday, June first. Presiding Judge Thomas O’Shaughnessy entered an Administrative Order saying all court operations, except jury trials, will resume June 1st.
In the Order Judge O’Shaughnessy said it is the intent of the court’s re-opening plan to respect and act consistently with public health recommendations regarding social distancing, face-coverings, and reducing the number of persons in the Courthouse at any given time in order to best protect the health of those who are required to be present.
Judge O’Shaughnessy says the measures are critical for a resumption of court operations, and the public’s anticipated cooperation and patience is appreciated.
The plan provides that most non-jury proceedings will resume June 1st; grand jury proceedings will resume July 2nd; and civil and criminal jury trials will resume July 6, 2020.
To minimize personal contacts with the Courthouse, the plan continues the earlier practice of restricting access to the Courthouse to persons essential for court proceedings and operations. It mandates the wearing of face coverings by all persons in public spaces and courtrooms at the courthouse; follows social distancing practices, and reduces high volume calls to no more than 20 cases scheduled each hour.
The new plan for the courthouse incorporates the continued use of videoconferencing and teleconferencing. Judge O’Shaughnessy noted that ‘’courts throughout the nation have taken advantage of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic and integrated its usage into courtrooms.
Judge O’Shaughnessy has also spelled out some rules for those visiting the courthouse.
- If you are going to the courthouse for a case arrive no more than 10 minutes before the hearing, and promptly leave when your hearing is done.
- Only attend the hearing yourself.
- Maintain social distancing at all times.
- Wear a face covering.
- Courtroom seating has been marked. Please follow the bailiff’s instructions.
- All non-e-filings must be done at the Clerk’s lobby windows.
- Do not congregate inside or outside the courtroom or in public spaces in the courthouse.
- Limit negotiating on a case at the Courthouse. While we know negotiations occur close to hearings, you may not have that luxury for now. Judges may not allow extensive negotiations during hearings for everyone’s safety.
- You are encouraged to take your own hand sanitizer and pen in the event supplies at the courthouse run short,
- And avoid touching handrails and other ‘high-touch’ areas the best you can.
Since many social distancing guidelines may continue well past the pandemic, Judge O’Shaughnessy adds it is the intention of the court that remote hearings (both teleconferences and videoconference hearings) become an important part of the court’s permanent operations.
Associate Judges Mark Goodwin and Karen Wall co-chaired a committee which included attorneys and Courthouse personnel, which drafted and implemented guidelines and protocols for conducting hearings remotely. ‘’We appreciate all of the hard work of this committee,’’ added Judge O’Shaughnessy.
And Judge O’Shaughnessy complemented courthouse staff for their efforts which permitted the court to perform its essential functions over the past two-and-a-half months.
