St. Clair County Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson extended the circuit court’s COVID-19 precautions to March 1.
Gleeson wrote that the restrictions are being continued “considering the COVID-19 positivity rates in St. Clair County and in order to ensure the safety of the general public, court personnel and the judiciary.”
According to a press release, the restrictions include:
- All civil, criminal and traffic matters, including hearings and status conferences, are to be held remotely.
- All family matters are to be conducted remotely until further notice. Any matter that is currently scheduled for an in-person appearance will now be conducted remotely. If parties are unable to appear or participate remotely they should contact the Circuit Clerk to file an appropriate motion.
- All arbitration, mediation, foreclosure and probate matters are to be held remotely.
- All forcible entry and detainer actions/evictions are continued generally until further order of court.
- No wedding or civil union ceremonies will be conducted.
- All juvenile matters, except for Shelter Care and Detention hearings, are continued unless they can be held remotely.
- Probation Department hours are now 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- All hearings regarding plenary orders of protection, emergency orders of protection, plenary and emergency stalking no contact orders, and plenary and emergency civil no contact orders will be held remotely. A party may seek emergency relief from such orders upon the filing of a motion with the assigned judge. Such hearings will be heard by the assigned judge at his or her discretion and conducted remotely.