4th Judicial Circuit Reworking Court Schedule

Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the Fourth Judicial Circuit is amending its procedures in an attempt to reduce the possibility of spreading the disease.

The following procedures will be in effect until at least March 30, 2020:

The following cases will be continued to a different date to be determined by the court:

 All Civil and non-custodial jury trials;

 All Traffic cases, including Driving Under the Influence;

 All Criminal Misdemeanor cases;

 All Ordinance cases;

 All Small Claims cases;

 All Family court cases

 All Child Support cases;

 All Pay or Appears and compliance hearings;

 All Marriages.

The following cases will be held as usual:

 All In-Custody cases, including bond settings;

 All Criminal Felony cases with time constraints;

 All Juvenile Detention and Shelter Care hearings;

 All hearings involving Emergency and Plenary Orders of Protection;

 Any other emergency-type hearings at the discretion of the Resident Circuit Judge of each county.

The Probation Departments, State’s Attorney offices and Public Defender offices will continue to meet the needs of their clients, but will reduce in-person contacts. The Resident Circuit Judges of each county in the Fourth Circuit are afforded discretion to handle issues not covered by this Order as he or she deems appropriate. The Fourth Circuit will continue to provide a court reporter for any hearings that will occur per this Order. The Circuit Clerk will provide notice to all litigants of the dates their cases will be continued to.