October 2, 2020

Chief Judge Michael J. Distel, acting pursuant Supreme Court Administrative Order
No. 2020-14 , effective May 6, 2020 with approval of the State Court Administrative
Office (SCAO), has issued Local Administrative Order 2020 – 03 (Phase Two Court
Reopening Plan) which includes:

The Court had hoped to move to Phase Three by now but local Covid-19 rates have
continued to be too high to meet SCAO Gating Criteria, although state and local orders
restricting movement and/or requiring shelter in- place have been rescinded. The Court will
continue to operate as follows:

1. Proceedings will be scheduled to be conducted virtually to the maximum extent
   possible, consistent with Administrative Order No. 2020-6.
2. Any requests for remote hearings should be directed to the staff of the
   Judge/Magistrate assigned to your case.
3. In-person court proceedings will be allowed on a limited basis. Restrictions include:
   limit the number of attendees to 10 in the courtroom, require masks of all attendees,
   separate desk protective shields for court recorders and judicial assistants.
4. Pursuant to MCR 8.110(C), members of the public or staff who refuse to wear required
   face coverings or adhere to social distancing requirements may be asked to leave the
   court facility.
5. Court window service will resume full operations and be open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15
   p.m.
6. The Court is no longer offering an in-person Victim Impact Panel Program (VIP). All
   VIP requirements can be met by attending one provided by virtual providers. A listing
   of some providers can be located on the Court’s website under Announcements or
   Resources – Victim Impact Panel Program.
7. Wedding are not currently being scheduled. They may resume once the Court is
   approved for a Phase Three Reopening Plan by SCAO.
8. On September 25, 2020 SCAO has modified its previous guidelines further restricting
   jury trials. Jury trials cannot be considered unless there is a seven day average of less
   than 70 Covid-19 cases per million per day. These restrictive SCAO guidelines
   preclude consideration of conducting jury trials currently and not until there has been
   considerable improvement in current Covid-19 rates of infection in Kent County.