IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
DOMESTIC RELATIONS AND JUVENILE BRANCH
FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO
2020 MC
TEMPORARY ORDER IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19
(CORONAVIRUS) PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
The Administrative Judge of
the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch of the Franklin County Court of
Common Pleas, in consultation with the other Judges of this bench, hereby makes
the following Findings of Fact:
1.
On March 9, 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
issued Executive Order 2020-01D “Declaring a State of Emergency” in response to
the growing COVID-19 public health crisis.
2.
On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization
officially declared COVID-19 to be a global “pandemic” requiring “urgent and
aggressive action” to control the spread of the virus.
Based upon these Findings of
Fact, the Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch of the Court
of Common Pleas has developed a continuum of flexible responses in case the current
public health crisis escalates. This
continuum of responses is intended to protect public health, to maintain
essential court functions, and to continue to protect the rights of all
individuals subject to the authority of the Court.
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1.
The Franklin County Domestic Relations and
Juvenile Branch Rules of Court may be temporarily adapted to allow Court
flexibility, within Constitutional limits, in response to the public health
emergency.
2.
The security policies of the Franklin County
Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch may be temporarily amended or
supplemented to protect public health while maintaining essential court
functions.
3.
Certain provisions of the Franklin County
Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch Employee Handbook may be temporarily
adjusted to maintain essential court operations and functions.
4.
The Franklin County Domestic Relations and
Juvenile Branch authorizes the use of audiovisual devices and technologies for
all actions and proceedings.
5.
This public health emergency may be considered
a finding of good cause for continuances deemed necessary by assigned/duty
Judges and/or Magistrates on a case-by-case basis.
6.
The Court will have the lawful authority,
within constitutional limits, to do and direct to be done all things necessary
to ensure the orderly and efficient administration of justice for the duration
of the declared public health emergency.
___________________________________
JUDGE KIM
A. BROWNE
ADMINISTRATIVE
JUDGE