Grays Harbor Superior Court Judge David Edwards has ordered further changes in Superior Court operations, closing the court down except for specific actions, such as those protecting potential adult and child victims and to comply with fair trial requirements for defendants.
The order from Edwards, the presiding judge for Superior and Juvenile courts, was dated Thursday and went into effect immediately. Starting about three weeks ago, he had issued earlier orders designed to shield the court and the public from exposure to COVID-19.
Services are definitely more sparse. The County Clerk still receives applications for protection orders, for instance, but just an hour a day, 9 to 10 in the morning. The order also calls for teleconferencing for some criminal cases, with some court staff attending remotely.
The order says, “This court is directing its employees to stay in their homes for the next three weeks and to avoid all unnecessary contact with other people. This court strongly urges employees of other offices within the courthouse to do the same.”
Here is a partial text of the order:
All operations of the court are suspended, except as set forth herein.
1. The Grays Harbor County Superior Court and the Grays Harbor County Juvenile Court shall be closed to the public, except for the limited circumstances specified in this order.
2. Criminal cases:
a. In-custody preliminary appearances shall be conducted daily, as necessary, using video conferencing technology. All such hearings shall be recorded by a court reporter and shall be attended by the clerk of the court, or a deputy clerk, via videoconferencing.
b. Motions for pretrial release and/or reduction of bail, and other motions of an urgent nature may be scheduled, but, must be approved in advance by the presiding judge.
3. Domestic/Family Law motions:
a. The court shall continue to review petitions for protection orders and motions for restraining orders which address claims of abuse or health and safety of a child or children, motions for temporary parenting plans which address claims of abuse or health and safety of a child or children. All temporary protection orders granted by the court shall be issued with permission to serve by mail, or by publication, and shall be set for hearing during a time period between 21 and 24 days after issuance of the ex parte temporary order.
b. Other motions of an urgent nature may be scheduled, but, must be approved in advance by the presiding judge.
4. Shelter care hearings in dependency cases shall be conducted, as necessary, and all parties, counsel and witnesses shall participate through videoconferencing. Such hearings shall be scheduled by contacting the court administrator or presiding judge.
5. Protection Orders: any person wishing to apply for a protection order from the Superior Court may complete and submit the necessary paperwork at the office of the Grays Harbor County Clerk between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Monday through Friday.
