INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The spread of the coronavirus will have an impact on Marion County courtrooms.
Some cases are put on hold until April 6. Jury trials are delayed through April 15.
The courts received numerous complaints and concerns about the health and safety of jurors, given the transmission risks of COVID-19.
Civil Court Judge Heather Welch says the ultimate goal now is to do as many cases as possible using remote means.
"Being the largest court system in the state, when you have approximately 80 judicial officers and thousands of people that come either to the city-county building, traffic court or the juvenile court, we had to start preparing," said Welch.
Welch is the presiding judge in a petition to get an emergency order from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Preparation includes limiting the number of people coming into the CCB and limiting the number of in-person hearings.
Judges will only hear cases considered "essential" at a judge's discretion. That includes:
- Initial hearings for in-custody defendants
- Initial hearings for CHINS (Child in need of services.) A CHINS is a child under the age of 18 who is neglected or abused and who is not getting care or treatment needed
- Factfinding hearings for CHINS that are time-sensitive
- Continued initial hearings
- Bond reviews
- Civil commitments
- Mental health hearings for probate court
- Minor guardianships
- Detention hearings for CHINS and JDs
- Any other essential emergency hearing at the discretion of a judge
In Criminal Courts 8 and 21, "bond reviews will be done certainly when the judges feel they are appropriate to determine if those people may be released, because we have to consciously manage the jail population under the current circumstances," said Welch.
Staff are being encouraged to work from home. Welch says filings will continue to be processed.
Welch says the courts will provide a status update by April 3.
More key information:
All parties are requested to check for updated details on their rescheduled case on www.mycase.in.gov Do not show up for a hearing before checking on this.
If you have been arrested and your case in not on mycase.in.gov, email MSC-IHC@indy.gov about a future court date.
As for jury trials, jurors are advised to check the jury summons, phone 317-327-8992.
Between March 16 and April 15, the court authorizes continuance of all civil jury trials and all out-of-custody criminal jury trials and of in-custody jury trials if the rights of the defendant will not be violated.
For questions, call
Courts, Criminal Division: 317-327-1447
Courts, Civil Division: 317-327-2321