Just two weeks after announcing that the Judicial Branch had created task forces to determine the best way to resume in-person court services, the Supreme Court has announced their plan.
"Our priority is to implement a limited, phased reopening that will allow greater access to the courts while keeping court personnel and the public safe through social distancing and other precautions," Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. said in an email today to the justices, judges, circuit court clerks and court personnel who serve the Judicial Branch.
Beginning June 1, court services will be able to resume under the following guidelines:
1) Courts may resume hearing all civil and criminal matters.
2) All hearings will be conducted remotely, unless the judge determines that an in-person hearing is necessary.
3) If an in-person hearing is required, all safety precautions must be observed, including limited capacity, social distancing, face masks, and frequent cleaning.
4) Entrances to court facilities should be limited to people with a scheduled hearing, and those filing emergency protective orders, interpersonal protective orders, and emergency custody orders.
5) All Kentucky Court of Justice officials, employees, and all members of the public that enter the court facility must have a mask.
6) Members of the public are prohibited from bringing purses or other enclosed bags inside, unless medically necessary.
7) All employees should telework when possible.
8) Staffing will be limited to 50 percent unless an exception is granted by the Department of Human Resources.
Minton says that in addition to the order, the Supreme Court will be issuing specific guidance on driver's license services and certain court matters such as evictions and jury service, in coming days.
You can find additional information on the guidance at the link below.
On the Net:
Court Reopening GuidelinesCOVID-19 and the Courts
