The Missouri Supreme Court issued a new order and operational directives, effective May 16, to help courts statewide establish localized plans, while recognizing the varying community health safeguards and court dockets, facilities and staffing levels across the state and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on in-person proceedings.
The courts have remained open to conduct business, but have been cautious to help combat the spread of the disease.
Under the new order, activities in all appellate and circuit courts – including all associate, family, juvenile, municipal and probate divisions – will continue to be restricted in some respect, and courts are encouraged to use all available technologies to conduct activities remotely to limit the number of in-person proceedings conducted in courthouses.
The order further enacts operational directives establishing uniform “gateway criteria” for Missouri courts to begin resuming – gradually as local conditions permit – activities previously suspended.
The operational directives, also effective May 16, are to make paramount the health and welfare of litigants, witnesses, victims, jurors, attorneys, judicial employees and other individuals involved in judicial proceedings. In determining whether a courthouse is ready to progress through four defined operating phases, local courts should:
- monitor local circumstances and conditions.
- work with local health officials and others in adapting plans for moving through operating phases.
- move to a new operating phase only after: the prior phase was in place at least 14 calendar days; no confirmed COVID-19 cases in the court facility; and improving COVID-19 health conditions in the community during that time.
- revert to a prior operating phase immediately when required by local conditions and circumstances.
