By: Michaela Paukner, [email protected]//September 30, 2020//
By: Michaela Paukner, [email protected]//September 30, 2020//
In-person proceedings in Brown and Outagamie County courts have been suspended because of an “explosive increase” in positive COVID-19 tests in both counties.
Eighth Judicial District Chief Judge James Morrison issued an order on Tuesday suspending in-person proceedings from Sept. 29 to Oct. 13.
“The purpose of this suspension of these activities is to substantially reduce the need for public gatherings of ten or more persons on a temporary basis,” Morrison’s order said.
Morrison said he consulted Dr. Ashok Rai, president and CEO of Prevea Health based in Green Bay; the director of state courts; and presiding judges in Brown and Outagamie counties before issuing the order.
Remote proceedings will continue, and judges may conduct proceedings from their courtrooms as long as they make accommodations for employees who need to appear remotely for health reasons.
The order doesn’t apply to constitutionally required in-person hearings, including jury trials in mental-commitment and juvenile-court matters, and to statutorily required jury trials with speedy trial demands or out-of-state detainers falling within the period of this order.