Chief judges in Madison and St. Clair counties have issued administrative orders setting forth guidelines for patrons of their circuits as courthouses resume operations on June 1.
In St. Clair County (Twentieth Judicial Circuit), Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson's list of recommendations includes arriving no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the start of a scheduled court time and leaving promptly when finished. The Twentieth Judicial Circuit also includes Monroe, Perry, Randolph and Washington counties. The list also includes:
- Only people necessary to the proceeding should come to court, leave family and friends at home.
- Bring only keys, photo ID, cash/credit card and court papers into the building. In order to speed entry into the courthouse, no purses, backpacks, bags, electronics, etc. are allowed in. Also avoid wearing too much metal (large or multiple jewelry items, large belt buckles, steel-toe shoes, money clips, watches, etc.) to speed entry through building security. Metal items trigger the magnetometer, slowing entry to the St. Clair County courthouse building.
- Wearing masks or face coverings and practicing social distancing is required in all areas of the St. Clair County courthouse building. Any person who is experiencing fever, chills, other symptoms, or has been exposed to COVID-19 or lives with a family members who has symptoms of COVID-19, should notify their attorney or if there is no attorney representation, should notify the Circuit Clerk of their inability to appear.
Gleeson's administrative order can be found here in its entirety.
Chief Judge William Mudge's list of procedures applicable to all courthouses in the Third Judicial Circuit (Madison and Bond counties) are similar, but also requires:
-Social distancing must be maintained at all times within the courthouses.
-No one will be allowed to congregate inside or outside the courtrooms.
-Avoid touching doorknobs, handrails, computers, copiers and other "high-touch" areas. Access to some computers and copiers will not be available during this time.
-Capacity limits will be in place for each courtroom.
Mudge's administrative order can be found here in its entirety.