Summit County, Ohio: Judge Amy Corrigall Jones, Administrative Judge of the Summit County Common Pleas Court General Division, announced today that in an effort to be proactive and addressing the issues raised in the Ohio Director of Health’s Stay at Home Order effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, this Court has ordered the following:

1. The General Division and all individuals herein shall function under current social distancing protocols as ordered by the Governor of Ohio and should the Governor order further modifications, all individuals within the courthouse shall abide by said protocols.

2. At no time in the General Division shall there be more than 10 individuals in any courtroom, office, conference room, or other space that is considered to be confined, as determined by the Administrative Judge. The only exception shall be for purposes of a Judge’s meeting, if approved by a majority of the judges.

3. The General Division arraignment procedure shall be modified as necessary to comply with this Order and to reduce the substantial health risks to the community; to maintain essential court functions, and to continue to protect the rights of all individuals subject to the authority of the Court.

4. The public health emergency shall be considered a finding of good cause for continuances deemed necessary by assigned Judges on a case-by-case basis.

5. All trials are suspended up and through April 10, 2020, with the exception of State vs. Stanley Ford.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

6. Inmates shall not be transported from the Summit County Jail to the Summit County Courthouse up and through April 10, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

7. All criminal matters with incarcerated individuals other than Stanley Ford shall be conducted via video conference in coordination with the Summit County Jail up and through April 10, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

8. All criminal matters involving out of custody defendants shall be conducted using either telephonic methods or video conferencing methods up and through April 10, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

9. All arraignments involving out of custody defendants shall be postponed or continued up and through April 10, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

10. All civil matters shall be conducted by telephone or video conference up and through April 10, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

11. All mediations shall be continued up and through April 10, 2020, unless all parties agree to conduct mediations utilizing teleconferencing or another technology alternative.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

12. All probationers shall report via telephone or video conference up and through April 10, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

13. Sheriff sales are hereby suspended until April 24, 2020.

Corrigall Jones said these decisions have been made as a proactive approach out of concern for the well-being of the employees and public.

“In an effort to protect our employees and the public, we are limiting the number of people coming into this courthouse,” Corrigall Jones said.    “The courthouse continues with its daily operations.” concluded Corrigall Jones.

Citizens with questions regarding a particular case or department should contact:

###

Contact:         Susan Sweeney, Assistant Court Executive Officer

330.643.7840 – ssweeney@cpcourt.summitoh.net