The Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, has issued an order underscoring its constitutional obligation to keep the Court’s essential functions and operations in place during the COVID-19 public health crisis. In its order, the Court also suspended all civil and criminal jury trials for a period of 30 days or until April 15th.
The Court indicated its order is necessitated by the potential reduction in the ability to maintain an adequate spectrum of prospective and seated jurors, the availability of counsel, litigants, witnesses, Court staff, and others for pretrial and trial matters.
The Court noted that each judge of the eleven judges on the Court will determine on a case by case basis whether bench trials, hearings, and other matters will proceed as scheduled. The Court also indicated its continuing COVID-19 mitigation protocols to enhance sanitation, cleaning, and personal hygiene throughout the Montgomery County Courts Building and its operations in the Reibold Building.
In issuing the order, the Court cited the state of emergencies as issued by Governor Mike DeWine on March 9th and President Donald J. Trump on March 13th.
A copy of the Court’s order is available here: Temporary Emergency Order & Entry 3-16-2020
Meanwhile, the Court plans to restrict courthouse access to essential parties and personnel, conduct most hearings with jailed defendants by video conference, conduct civil pretrial hearings by telephone conference call, develop alternative work schedules for staff, and meet weekly to reevaluate Court needs and policies.
For further information regarding the action by the Court and other items regarding the COVID-19 public health crisis as it affects the Court and its operation, please contact Steven C. Hollon, Court Administrator, at 937.225.4305.
