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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
DOMESTIC RELATIONS AND JUVENILE BRANCH
FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO
AMENDED 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
initially 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.
3.
On March 18, 2020, the Court issued its first
order detailing a continuum of flexible responses designed to protect public
health, to maintain essential court functions, to protect the safety and
welfare of the its staff and customers and to protect the rights of all
individuals subject to the authority of the Court.
4.
The existing public health emergency has not
yet been abated to the point that the Court may resume normal operations.
Based upon these Findings of
Fact, the Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch of the Court
of Common Pleas HEREBY ORDERS:
1.
The Court hereby continues its curtailed
operations through close of business on Friday, May 29, 2020. While the Court anticipates a return to
regular operations on June 1, 2020, it reserves the right to further extend
this Order should the existing public health emergency so dictate.
2.
The Court hereby acknowledges the relevant
portions of Ohio HB197 and the written guidance of the Supreme Court of Ohio,
both signed on Friday, March 27, 2020, effective retroactive to March 9, 2020.
3.
During its period of curtailed operations, the
Court’s hours of operation shall be 8am through 2pm. During this period, the Court shall continue to hear essential and/or
time sensitive cases, including exigent proceedings relative to Abuse
Neglect and Dependency (A/N/D)
hearings; preliminary hearings in in delinquency cases where the youth has been held;
petitions for Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) and Juvenile Protection Order (JPOs); and
complaints/motions for Emergency Orders of Custody (ECOs). All other docket matters shall be either continued
or conducted through telephonic or electronic means.
4.
Only persons necessary to support essential and/or time sensitive
hearings shall be physically present on-site during this period. All other court personnel (and outside
persons interacting with the Court) shall continue to operate remotely.
5.
The Court’s
CPO/JPO Desk will be open to the public from 8am until 2pm. The Court will cease the intake of new
petitions promptly at 2pm.
6.
DRJ
Court Judges have authorized their bailiffs and/or court officers to process continuances
bearing the designation “COVID-19” and the bailiffs/court officer’s initials
via hand-stamp or electronic means. All
Clerks of Court shall accept and file these documents as “original” during any
period of curtailed operations.
7.
Curtailed operations provisions and/or policies
previously effectuated by the Court pursuant to its March 18, 2020 Order shall
remain in full effect, unless specifically modified herein.
IT IS SO ORDERED:
_________________________
JUDGE
KIM A. BROWNE EFFECTIVE
DATE:
ADMINISTRATIVE
JUDGE May 1, 2020
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