Butler County courthouse employee tests positive for COVID-19, courtroom restrictions tightened

A positive COVID-19 test for a Butler County courthouse employee led Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett to revert back to earlier courtroom occupancy restrictions.

This came four days after the courts in the 36th Judicial Circuit began operating in phase two, following 14 days of operation in phase one as directed by the Missouri Supreme Court.

Phase two, Pritchett said, did “allow us to have more in-person proceedings and authorizes us to have up to 25 people in the courtroom, but I don’t think that increase in numbers is a good idea, particularly since we had a positive test in the courthouse.”

Once Pritchett learned a courthouse employee “has it (COVID-19), I sent out an email earlier (Thursday) going back to the 10-person in a courtroom limitation.”

Butler County’s courts, he said, haven’t “gone back to phase one, but we are doing some of the same phase one policies.”

Pritchett said he and other county officials met Thursday morning with Butler County Health Department Administrator Emily Goodin and Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers to discuss “in general what precautions we need to take moving forward.”

Although Butler County is in the midst of phase two, “we will not (be moving to phase 3) just because of the increase in numbers,” Pritchett said. “It can’t be done automatically.”

When Pritchett signed the administrative order moving to phase two on May 28, Butler County had 30 positive cases.

As of Thursday afternoon, the number was 45.

“Maybe in two weeks, things will calm down, and we’ll feel more comfortable moving on,” Pritchett said. “It just depends on the local conditions.”

Operating under phase one, Pritchett said, went “really well because of the effectiveness of the screening of the people who entered the courthouse.

“The sheriff has provided a security officer every day. The county is paying for it through the CARES money.”

The court clerks, Pritchett said, also have been involved.

“We have people check in with the clerks; we only allow a limited number of people in the courtrooms,” Pritchett explained. “Through an app the clerks are using, we are able to have some people wait in their cars until it’s time for them to appear.”

Pritchett said he looked at phase two as enabling “us to do more in-person proceedings and also authorizes us to have additional people in the courtroom, but I’m still asking that the numbers be limited just to avoid potential exposure to everyone, the clerks, the clients, everyone.”

Reverting back to the 10-person limitation, Pritchett said, only applies to the court in Butler County, not Ripley County, at this time.

As of Wednesday, Ripley County had 10 positive COVID-19 cases.

“The goal is just to allow people to be in the courtroom as they are needed,” he said.

Pritchett said the courts also still are adhering to the social distancing protocols.

Operating phase two, which went into effect on Monday, still set restrictions on court operations.

They include:

• Members of the public who are not involved in court proceedings will not be allowed in the courtroom.

• Social distancing is required of court staff, attorneys, parties and witnesses.

• Individuals will not be allowed access to a court facility who have been exposed to or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

• The temperature of all individuals entering a court facility will be taken and those with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry.

• The use of masks or face coverings by attorneys, parties, witnesses, victims and courtroom staff is encouraged.

• In-person proceedings will be held as long as social/physical distancing requirements are met.

• Occupancy in the courtrooms is limited to 25 people or less whenever possible.

• All proceedings that do not require in-person appearances of parties or counsel may proceed or be suspended at the discretion of the judge in matters as circumstances allow. Judges may exercise their discretion to conduct proceedings that do no require in-person proceedings by teleconferencing, video conferencing or other available technology to the extent not otherwise prohibited by statutory or constitutional restrictions.

• Technologies, such as teleconferences and video conferences, shall continue to be available. Attorneys are encouraged when feasible to schedule motion hearings and other matters through the utilization of such technology.

• Occupancy rates in courtrooms, lobbies, hallways and other gathering areas are limited to 25 people or less whenever possible.

• Extra cleaning and disinfecting will occur throughout each day and hand sanitizer will be made available.

• Jury trials will not be held during phase two.