Summit County, Ohio: Judge Amy Corrigall Jones, Administrative Judge of the Summit County Common Pleas Court General Division, announced today additional steps she has taken, highlighted in green below, in an effort to be proactive and addressing the issues raised in the Ohio Director of Health’s Stay at Home Orders.  All current orders in effect include the following:

1. All scheduled criminal and civil matters shall be conducted via video/telephone conference for twenty one (21) days up and through May 1, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

2. No in person appearance shall be conducted by and judge, attorney or party, without prior approval by the Administrative Judge, for twenty one (21) days up and through May 1, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

3. All visitation with any inmate at the Summit County Jail shall be conducted via video/telephone conference for twenty one (21) days up and through May 1, 2020, unless authorized by the Administrative Judge.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. All trials are suspended up and through May 1, 2020, with the exception of State vs. Stanley Ford.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

9. Inmates shall not be transported from the Summit County Jail to the Summit County Courthouse up and through May 1, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

10. 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 May 1, 2020. This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

11. All criminal matters involving out of custody defendants shall be conducted using either telephonic methods or video conferencing methods up and through May 1, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

12. All arraignments involving out of custody defendants shall be postponed or continued up and through May 1, 2020, unless:
    1. As otherwise ordered by the Administrative Judge; or
    2. As determined by the Administrative Judge as necessary and appropriate; or
    3. Defendant and counsel have made arrangements as authorized by the Court for an alternative hearing.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

13. All civil matters shall be conducted by telephone or video conference up and through May 1, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

14. All mediations shall be continued up and through May 1, 2020, unless all parties agree to conduct mediations utilizing teleconferencing or another technology alternative.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

15. All probationers shall report via telephone or video conference up and through May 1, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

16. All Sheriff Sales are suspended up and through May 1, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

17. All foreclosures, evictions and any judgment relating to real property shall be suspended up and through May 1, 2020.  All filing deadlines imposed on any party or interested party pertaining to any foreclosure or judgment relating to real property shall be tolled up and through May 1, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

Corrigall Jones said these actions have been taken 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 utilizing technology and innovative ideas to still provide access to justice in the General Division.” concluded Corrigall Jones.

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

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Contact:          Susan Sweeney, Assistant Court Executive Officer

330.643.7840 – ssweeney@cpcourt.summitoh.net