CHARLESTON – West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Tim Armstead said he is pleased with how courts across the state have responded throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re all just taking it day by day,” Armstead said. “We kind of think this is working exactly the way we hoped it would. When we started phasing things back slowly, we knew that if something happened we had set up the protocols so those at the local levels could make adjustments as needed.”
And that’s what they’ve done. Some offices in the Kanawha County Judicial Annex were closed earlier this month after a few employees tested positive. Judicial centers in Raleigh and Monongalia counties were closed July 20-24 after employees tested positive. Offices in all three of those counties were professionally cleaned.
“As of right now, neither Raleigh nor Monongalia counties plan to extend their closures into next week,” Armstead told The West Virginia Record on July 24. “They’ve thoroughly cleaned their facilities and believe they can reopen. Of course, things can change. And, they’re evaluating everything day to day.”
Kanawha County is shortening hours of public access to the judicial annex. Starting July 27, temporary public access hours will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to a July 23 memo from Chief Circuit Judge Charles King.
With these temporary changes at courthouses across the state, Armstead said he’s pleased with how judges and other officials have handled everything.
“These courthouses have been very consistent,” he said. “They have posted phone numbers for people if someone needs to reach someone in the building for whatever reason.”
Also, Armstead said he’s pleased with what he’s hearing as some judges across the state have resumed in-person hearings and trials.
“There are still things to work out, obviously,” he said. “But the reports from judges who have had in-person hearings or trials have said they’ve gone well. Everyone is taking the precautions they’re needing to take.
“As we said, we put in place protocols with the minimal requirements. Each courthouse and county is different. We want them to add to those protocols as necessary for additional safeguards.
“And, we are here to help in any way we can. We’re working with courts around the state to provide additional technology, plastic barriers for courtrooms or offices, personal protective equipment … those types of things as needed.
“We all knew there would be little bumps in the road, but I think it’s going very smoothly. I’ve been really impressed. We have seen judges step up to the plate around the state. They’ve rearranged their courtrooms, found different spaces, doing different things with juries and jury selection. They know their courtrooms and staff. They’re being creative, and we appreciate that.”
Armstead said the Supreme Court has been asking everyone involved with the court system to be safe and patient.
“We encourage attorneys, litigants, jurors, witnesses, all participants to review the protocols,” he said. “Go online and see what is expected of every individual who goes into the courtroom.”
As for the Supreme Court’s fall term, Armstead said the justices plan to be in chambers with litigants.
“The plan right now is to go back like normal,” he said. “But as with everything, it’s something we’re examine day by day. We plan to go back, but we are prepared to move forward (remotely and online) like we did the last part of the January term.”