Criminal court cancelled Thursday in Butler County due to COVID contact

The courts in Butler County will step down to operating phase one Thursday after a county employee tested positive for COVID-19.

Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett signed an order Wednesday notifying the Missouri Supreme Court of the move to a lower operating phase. It only applies to the courts at the county level and does not include any municipal divisions within the county.

“An individual who has a regular presence in the Butler County Courthouse has tested positive for COVID-19,” said Pritchett in an email to the Supreme Court’s communication counsel, Beth Riggert. “For that reason, (the) courts in Butler County will be returning to phase one” Thursday.

Butler County’s courts had been operating in phase two since June 1.

Under operating phase two, more in-person proceedings could be held and up to 25 persons were allowed in the courtroom; however, the courts had reverted back to earlier courtroom occupancy restrictions after a courthouse employee tested positive for COVID-19.

“It just didn’t seem like we could justify having any more in the courtroom than were necessary,” Pritchett said of the 10-person limit under operating phase one. “We try to do what we can to avoid exposure.”

Pritchett said he was notified at about 11 a.m. Wednesday that a “regular participant in court proceedings” had tested positive for the coronavirus.

“I’m figuring out what to do next,” Pritchett said. “Although, I do know that we are cancelling court (Thursday).

“That will be Judge (C. Wade) Pierce’s criminal docket. That’s a big one.”

Beyond that, “I’m just going to have to play it by ear until I have more information,” Pritchett said. “I know I’m going to have to cancel a lot more, but I’m not sure what yet. … It depends on how this all plays out.”

At this point, Pritchett said, he is trying to let all the attorneys know what is happening.

Pritchett suspects he may have to cancel additional dockets in the “next few days,” but “we still have to address adult cases, people who are arrested and process criminal charges, things like that.”

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

Pritchett said he expects to know more Thursday or “I hope I will. I’ve got a huge docket Tuesday. We’re just going to have to kind of see” if it will be held.

Some type of contact, Pritchett said, has been made with the Butler County Health Department about the situation.

“I’m sure (contact tracing) will happen next,” Pritchett said.