RE: Emergency Policy Regarding COVID-19
March 16, 2020
Updated May 15, 2020
Due to the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak and the declared State of Emergency, the 18th District Court has adopted the following emergency policy regarding continuation of services. This policy will be effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 through Friday May 30, 2020. This policy is subject to extension, revision, or cancellation at any point without advanced notice.
- The court will be open during normal posted hours.
- All cashiers will be open and available for in-person payments. This includes civil infractions, probation payments, payment plans and warrants.
- The court highly encourages the use of online-payments during this crisis. Payments can be made at www.18thdistrictcourt.com.
- The court will address walk-in warrants, in-custody arraignments, conditional bond violations, probation violations, domestic, assaultive, and conditional bond violations as scheduled. All other matters will be adjourned until after June 1, 2020.
- Defense attorneys will be present to represent individuals as needed.
- Landlord–Tenant cases will be reviewed and addressed by the Judge.
- All non-business evictions will be placed on hold until further notice.
- All other general civil matters will be adjourned until after June 1, 2020.
- All trials will be adjourned until after May 1, 2020.
- All non-assaultive pre-trials will be adjourned until after June 1, 2020.
- All drinking and driving and assaultive pre-trials will be held as scheduled.
- All civil infraction hearings, show cause hearings, and mediations will be adjourned until after June 1, 2020.
- In-person probation appointments will be adjourned until after June 1, 2020. Telephonic, email and mail-in reporting will continue as directed by the probation officer.
- Sobriety court programs will continue. All participants must contact their case manager for specific program adjustments.
- All in-person alcohol/drug testing will be adjourned until after June 1, 2020 – this includes daily testing. All participants who report daily must contact their probation officer for additional information and instructions.
- Visitors to the courthouse will be restricted to those individuals scheduled for a court date only.
The 18th District Court treats this matter seriously and will monitor the situation continuously. The Court will adjust this policy as the situation warrants based on advice from health officials and State Government.
During this crisis, the courtrooms are closed to the general public. The main counters are open for payments, filings and motions only. Court hearings are held for emergency matters, in custody arraignments, and electronic pleas/sentencing’s where appropriate. Please review the court dockets for scheduled preceding’s.
The public can still participate in court hearings by attending the hearing remotely.
Hearings conducted by Judge McConnell can be viewed live on YouTube at his channel, Judge Mark McConnell, 18th District Court, by clicking here
Hearings conducted by Judge Cicirelli can be viewed live on YouTube at her channel, Judge Cicirelli 18th District Court, by clicking here
Payments
If you are coming to the court to make a payment, we accept cash, personal check, or money order. The court also accepts Visa, MasterCard and Debit Cards; however, we use a third party processer for these transactions. The additional costs of these transactions are paid by the person making the payment. There is also a drop box outside the building for after hours payments by check or money order.
You may also pay your fines and cost on line. Click the “Payment Information” tab for more information or go directly payments by clicking HERE. Payments made online will be processed by the court the next business day.
Are you looking to see what cases are scheduled for court? You can review the court dockets by date. If a case is non-public you will not be able to view.
The court will be closed to the public on the following dates
Monday, May 25, 2020 – Memorial Day
Friday, July 3, 2020 – Independence Day
Tuesday August 4, 2020 – Primary Election Day
Monday September 7, 2020 – Labor Day
Monday October 12, 2020 – Columbus Day
Normal testing hours are from 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM for weekday testing.
