As state officials continue to respond to the growing number of Coronavirus cases in Georgia, the state supreme court's Chief Justice has ordered a judicial emergency until April 13.
The emergency was announced in a release Saturday afternoon. Chief Justice Henry D. Melton said the order will prioritize certain judicial activities and suspend some court deadlines.
“Following Governor Kemp’s declaration today of a Public Health State of Emergency, I am directing the judicial branch of government to suspend all but essential court functions,” Chief Justice Melton said. “These critical matters will remain a priority in our courts.”
Matters that will be prioritized include:
- Cases where "an immediate liberty or safety concern is present"
- Emergency removal matters
- Juvenile court delinquency detention hearings
- Domestic abuse restraining orders
- Mental health commitment hearings
The order also encourages videoconferencing and other methods to limit chances of exposure to the virus while conducting court activities.
