(Update) Alabama Supreme Court extends order suspending in-person proceedings
Published 4:22 pm Thursday, April 30, 2020
- Presiding Cullman County Circuit Court Judge Greg Nicholas talks with a defendant Friday, September 18, 2015 as a bailiff looks on during an outstanding fines, restitution and court (FRAC) docket at the Cullman County Courthouse.
The Alabama Supreme Court has extended its existing order prohibiting in-person court proceedings through May 15.
According to the new court order: “To limit in-person contact, trial courts should continue to conduct hearings by teleconference and videoconference. The clerks of court shall also continue to use technology and other means to limit in-person contact. Jury trials shall remain suspended, and no juror summons shall be issued prior to July 1.”
Among the court dockets affected by the temporary delay are family court, juvenile court, domestic relations, misdemeanor court, bond revocations, traffic court, small claims, drug court, and both civil and felony dockets before the district and circuit courts.
The order also allows courts to begin preparing their offices and court rooms for in-person proceedings. Cullman County District Judge Greg Nicholas said they have begun making those preparations at the courthouse, including getting personal protection equipment for court clerks and others who have more contact with the public.
This is welcome news for the people who have been calling to ask about court proceedings. The Cullman Circuit Clerk’s office said this week that the majority of calls it’s receiving while employees work in isolation from the courthouse (which is still off-limits to the public) are inquiries about when court will resume.
Nicholas said it’s clear from the Supreme Court’s order that the re-start is going to be somewhat limited. “It’s going to be August before we are able to conduct civil and criminal jury trials again,” he said.
The courts have been holding some hearings via video conference, and Nicholas said the process has been working well. “Sometimes there are technical difficulties, but it’s working and that’s a good thing,” he said.
He said since the Alabama courts have gone to virtual court hearings, more than 2,000 have been held statewide. He said cases are being filed every day, although there have not been as many.
“There are fewer court filings, but I do suspect that when normal court operations resume there will be some pent-up demand,” said Nicholas.
Benjamin Bullard contributed to this story.
