June 8, 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 One Court Reopening Plan) which includes:

State and local orders restricting movement and/or requiring shelter in- place have been rescinded or limited and the State Court Administrative Office has determined existing orders would not prevent the Court from implementing Phase One requirements and in order to facilitate the essential business of the court, the court is enacting the following measures related to court proceedings.

1. Court proceedings will be conducted virtually if possible, consistent with Administrative Order No. 2020-6.
2. In-person court proceedings that are conducted will be limited to no more than 10 people.
3. Members of the public are required to wear face masks to the extent they can medically tolerate it. They will not be provided by the court prior to entry.
4. Pursuant to MCR 8.110(C), members of the public or staff that refuse to wear required face coverings or adhere to social distancing requirements may be asked to leave the court facility.
5. Any member of the public who is asked to leave the court facility will be offered an opportunity to conduct court business virtually, attend court proceedings virtually, file documents in an alternative manner, or confer with the court to determine alternate arrangements for accessing the court.

The 61st District Court is regularly monitoring local public health conditions and data related to COVID-19 to assess their readiness to proceed to Phase Two of court capacity.

** Note: The Court will begin window service operations June 15, 2020 (for parking, traffic and court cost/fine payments only) on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.