The judges of the Wood County Courts of Common Pleas have authorized measures to ensure the courthouse
will remain open through the coronavirus public health crisis.
A temporary emergency order was filed on Tuesday. The order authorizes actions to maintain essential
court functions and operations during the crisis.
The order will allow the court to maintain necessary staffing levels.
The order will minimize and avoid large crowds in the courthouse by restricting non-essential access to
the facility. The judges will increasingly rely on technology to remotely conduct business in both civil
and criminal cases.
Specific actions include:
– Enhanced sanitation protocols are being followed in the courthouse.
– Hearings involving jailed defendants will be conducted by video.
– Civil pretrial hearings will be conducted by conference call.
– Judges will meet regularly to reevaluate needs and policies.
The temporary emergency order reflects the importance of all courts in the daily civic life of our nation
and recognizes that the essential functions of courts are heightened in a public health crisis.
The courts are the only legal forum in a public health crisis to address legal issues related to orders,
directives and government requirements.
This emergency order helps to ensure that the Wood County Common Pleas Courts will remain available for
all citizens. The emergency order is temporary and its provisions are within the constitutional
authority of the court.
The order is intended to protect the constitutional rights of all court users and to maintain a healthy
and neutral balance in a time of heightened anxiety and fears.
The order is enclosed with this release and is posted on the courts’ websites:
https://courtofcommonpleas.co.wood.oh.us/, https://www.co.wood.oh.us/juvenilecourt/,
http://probate-court.co.wood.oh.us/index.shtml
Questions may be directed to the court administration office at 419-354-9042.
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