Courts to stagger staff to limit possible COVID exposure

As Butler County’s courts modify their operations going forward after a positive COVID-19 test earlier this week, its clerks will begin working on a “staggered basis” to limit possible exposure.

On Thursday, Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett said, the availability of attorneys and staff in the coming days would dictate whether the courts operated as scheduled.

“Because some issues are more clear now than they were (Thursday), I have changed some of my statement regarding dockets and availability of attorneys and staff,” Pritchett said Friday morning. “That does not seem to be an issue (Friday).”

At this point, Pritchett said, it does not appear entire dockets will be canceled, “although individual cases may be continued.

“No cases or dockets will be suspended indefinitely or continued indefinitely. If a case is continued, it will immediately be given a new court date.”

Pritchett again encouraged all those with pending cases to keep in touch with their attorneys and monitor their cases on casenet.com.

Information, he said, also is available through the Circuit Clerk’s office.

The operating changes stem from a regular participant in court proceedings testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Pritchett subsequently issued an order moving the county’s courts back to operating phase one. It had been operating under phase two, which allowed for more in-person proceedings to be held.

Under operating phase one, most in-person proceedings are suspended, but the Missouri Supreme Court has made exceptions for certain proceedings to still be held. Ex-parte and mental health hearings may still be heard as can cases with time constraints, such as bond hearings and initial appearances.

Courtroom occupancy is restricted to 10 people under phase one, and cases also may be held remotely using such virtual platforms as Webex.

“Not all courts were exposed by the particular incident which resulted in my decision to revert to phase one,” Pritchett said. “For that reason, many court cases will proceed as scheduled, although there will be limits on the number of individuals allowed in courtrooms.

“Attorneys will continue to have the ability to make court appearances through video should they desire.”

Pritchett said the individual judges will continue to exercise their discretion with regard to holding in-person proceedings and hearings.

“In addition, the clerks are going to work on a staggered basis in order that their entire office may avoid being exposed should there be significant contact with a person who is suffering from the virus,” Pritchett said.

The court offices, Pritchett emphasized, are not closed.

“The clerks will be working on a staggered basis, at least through the end of next week, in order to limit the number of clerks who might be exposed on a particular day,” Pritchett said.

Over the past several months, Pritchett said, the clerks have “developed an excellent method of advising individuals through texts when their cases are called and entry to the courthouse and courtrooms is allowed.

“Although clerks often work in the background, they deserve much praise for their creativity and dedication in enabling us to continue court operations during the pandemic.”

Anyone entering the courthouse will be subject to screenings, such as temperature monitoring, Pritchett said.

Compliance with face coverings and social distancing is mandatory, Pritchett said.

“At present, I believe the action taken in reverting to phase one is sufficient to deal with the recent issue, although the situation is certainly fluid,” Pritchett said.