PUBLIC NOTICE for CLERMONT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT

by | Mar 20, 2020 | News and Events

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS

03/17/2020         UPDATE RE: CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

To:                          The Citizens of Clermont County, Ohio

From:                    Honorable Judges Jerry McBride, Anthony Brock, Richard Ferenc and Victor Haddad

In this time of national concern over the spread of COVID-19, the judges of the Common Pleas Court of Clermont County have been closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and have been investigating and discussing the best response to help slow the spread of the virus.  Procedures have already been implemented such as the increased use of hand sanitizers and disinfectants to wipe down “high-touch” areas in our offices and in the public areas of the Courthouse.

As of today, March 17, 2020, the following changes are in effect immediately, extending at least through April 17, 2020:

  1. All jury trials scheduled within the next 30 days shall be continued. No citizen summoned for jury duty will need to report for jury service in Common Pleas Court through April 17, 2020.  This period may be further extended by the judges as the situation evolves.
  2. Civil matters, criminal pre-trial matters, criminal review hearings, and matters by agreement will occur by telephone or videoconferencing if available, as authorized by the assigned judge.
  3. Only those individuals with an interest in a case before the Court that day will be permitted entry into the courthouse. This includes defendants and immediate family, crime victims and immediate family, and subpoenaed witnesses.  Exceptions will be granted for persons needing access to the Clerk of Court’s Office and the Probation Department.
  4. Civil Protection Orders will still be filed and heard at the courthouse.
  5. To minimize traffic in the courthouse, Judges’ dockets will be staggered as authorized by the assigned judge. Attorneys should check with the court for any scheduling changes.
  6. Attorneys should check with their clients as to their health status and concerns, and request a continuance if appropriate.
  7. Probationers should contact their Probation Department about any reporting changes.
  8. UNLESS PARTIES ARE ADVISED OTHERWISE BY THE COURT OR COUNSEL, OR UNLESS A CHANGE IS POSTED ON THE COURT WEBSITE, PARTIES TO A CASE SHOULD ASSUME THAT A HEARING WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED.

We also encourage every citizen to comply with the following recommendations of health professionals to help prevent the spread of this virus:

  1. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; dry hands with a clean towel or air-dry hands.
  2. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available.
  3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.
  4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  5. Stay home when you are sick.
  6. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  7. Stay at least six feet away from other persons even if they appear to be healthy (social distancing).
  8. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly.

As a provider of essential government services, the Court remains open for business.  In an ongoing effort to keep our employees and the general public as healthy as possible, we will continue to engage in discussions with County officials and will make decisions to further minimize the risk of spreading this virus.  Please continue to check the Court’s website for updates on changing conditions based on the spread and severity of this outbreak.

Information can be found at our website, https://clermontcommonpleas.com/, and at the following additional locations:

https://clermontcountyohio.gov/

https://ccphohio.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Thank you for your attention.