In response to the COVID-19 resurgence, Madison County Chief Judge Bill Mudge ordered that only essential court matters and proceedings will be heard in order to “protect the health and safety of court patrons, staff, judges and the general public.”
Mudge wrote that the measures were necessary “given the recent record number of COVID-19 infections and its rapid resurgence within Madison County.”
Essential court proceedings include:
- All matters with individuals in custody, including bond hearings
- Summary suspension hearings, absent an agreed continuance; SSS hearings will be conducted exclusively by Zoom
- Detention hearings for detained juveniles
- Shelter Care and other essential hearings for juveniles who may have been abused or neglected
- Mental health hearings for involuntary commitment or treatment
- Emergency hearings in family matters scheduled only with the approval of the court
- Any other emergency hearing scheduled and approved by the court
- Have travelled or have close contact with someone who has travelled, within the last 21 days, to any country designated by the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) as high risk locations for transmission of COVID-19
- Have been directed to, or have close contact with anyone who has been directed to quarantine, isolate, or self-monitor at home by a health department or any medical provider
- Have been diagnosed with, or have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19
- Have flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath
- Are awaiting a COVID-19 test result
If matters cannot be conducted remotely via telephone, Zoom or other electronic means, parties must sit at the counsel table in the courtroom and maintain a distance of at least six feet between themselves and others.
Mudge also canceled grand jury proceedings, suspended jury and non-jury trials, extended orders of protection, and continued all nonessential criminal felony matters. Additionally, no weddings or civil union ceremonies will be conducted, and the law library is closed to the public during this period.
Civil cases, arbitration matters, and juvenile proceedings will be held remotely.
Administrative order 29 went into effect on Nov. 16 and applies to the courts within the Third Judicial Circuit, which includes Madison and Bond Counties.
“The Resident Circuit Judge of Bond County is authorized to issue local orders, rules or protocols, consistent herewith, and for the limited purpose of implementing the provisions of this order in that County,” Mudge added.