Summit County, Ohio: Judge Amy Corrigall Jones, Administrative Judge of the Summit County Common Pleas Court General Division, announced the Court’s most recent, updated COVID-19 response plan this afternoon.

The Court has been proactive in its response to maintain a safe work environment for court employees and the public and in addressing the issues raised in the Ohio Director of Health’s Stay at Home Orders.

Effective today, the Summit County Common Pleas Court General Division issued the following Order:

1. All trials are suspended up and through May 29, 2020, with the exception of State vs. Stanley Ford.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

2. Inmates (other than Stanley Ford) shall not be transported from the Summit County Jail to the Summit County Courthouse up and through May 29, 2020, unless authorized by the Administrative Judge.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

3. All scheduled criminal and civil matters, including mediations, shall be conducted via video/telephone conference, unless authorized by the Administrative Judge, up and through May 29, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

4. No in person appearance shall be conducted by any judge, attorney or party, without prior approval by the Administrative Judge, up and through May 29, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

5. All probationers shall report via telephone/video conference, unless authorized by the Administrative Judge, up and though May 29, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

6. All arraignments shall be conducted via video conference up and through May 29, 2020, unless:

1. As otherwise ordered by the Administrative Judge; or

1. As determined by the Administrative Judge as necessary and appropriate; or

1. Defendant and counsel have made arrangements as authorized by the Court for an alternative hearing.

1. This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

7. All visitation with any inmate at the Summit County Jail shall be conducted via video/telephone conference up and through May 29, 2020, unless authorized by the Administrative Judge.

8. Sheriff sales are hereby SUSPENDED up and through May 29, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

9. All foreclosures, evictions and any judgment relating to real property shall be suspended up and through May 29, 2020, unless authorized by the Administrative Judge.  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 29, 2020.  This timeframe may be extended if deemed necessary and appropriate.

10. All individuals entering the building shall be subject to having a health assessment, including his/her temperature taken.  No one exhibiting signs of illness, including a temperature of 100.4 degrees, should be admitted or allowed to stay.

11. All individuals entering the building shall wear a mask while present in the General Division.

12. The General Division and all individuals herein shall continue to 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.

13. 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.

14. The General Division shall continue to have the lawful authority, within constitutional limits, to do and direct to be done all things necessary to ensure the orderly and efficient administration of justice for the duration of the declared public health emergency.

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, several safety guidelines have been put in place, including monitoring temperatures of people entering the building, increased disinfecting of high touch areas, increased availability of hand sanitizer and face masks for those entering the building, and germ shield placement throughout the Court and Probation Department in high contact areas,” explained Corrigall Jones.

Corrigall Jones continued, “We also will continue to limit the number of people coming into this courthouse in May, while maintaining operations by utilizing teleconferencing and work from home solutions for our many of our staff.”

“The Summit County Court of Common Pleas General Division continues to provide access to justice.” 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