From staff reports
Amid COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Monday declared a statewide judicial emergency, effective until April 14, according to a news release from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
County president judges are now authorized to declare individual county judicial emergencies through April 14, should they deem it appropriate to protect the health and safety of staff, court users and the community.
Specifically, counties operating under local judicial emergencies shall have the authority to:
– Authorize additional uses of advanced communications technology to conduct court proceedings, subject to constitutional restrictions.
– Take any action permitted pursuant to Rule of Judicial Administration 1952(B)(2), including restrictions or temporary closures of court facilities.
Judicial districts operating under the emergency declaration will arrange for the provision of essential judicial services, including arraignments and bail establishment hearings and protection from abuse act proceedings.
Additional information about the impact of COVID-19 on court operations is available at @pennsylvaniacourts and @PACourts.
