LOCK HAVEN — Clinton County courts began expanding their services today, but it won’t be business as usual.

On March 18, operations and ongoing business of the Court of Common Pleas was limited to protection from abuse actions, elder abuse cases, juvenile shelter care and juvenile detention hearings, injunction proceedings and mental health commitment hearings.

District judges were available to preside over emergency protection from abuse requests, peliminary arraignments and bail proceedings. Domestic relations and adult/juvenile probation offices were closed.

Although the courthouse will remain closed to the public, regularly scheduled hearings today began being conducted via Zoom, court administrator Don Powers said.

“We are not opening to the public. The Supreme Court has pretty much said they want to avoid in person contacts in the county courts,” he said.

Powers said essentially the only change will be the type and number of cases the courts will begin to oversee.

Beginning today the schedule that was in place prior to COVID-19 is going to be heard, Powers said. “We’ve continued (cases) up until now so we’re sort of stepping back in and doing it all,” he said.

Hundreds of cases, approximately 80 to 100 per week, were put on hold during the last six weeks. Those cases will be rescheduled for later in 2020, Powers said.

President Judge Craig P. Miller issued guidelines in an administrative order on Tuesday detailing how the Court of Common Pleas, magisterial offices and the probation office will conduct business in the coming weeks.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

The Court of Common Pleas will continue holding incarcerated criminal defendants using “polycom” while other criminal and civil proceedings will be held using Zoom.

During hearings held through Zoom, only those visible on camera will be permitted to testify “unless a client calls in on the telephone and is in the physical presence of a notary public who can verify the clients identity properly,” Miller’s instructions say.

“Parties who call in and are not in the presence of a notary public can participate, but cannot testify under oath. Witnesses who are no on camera will not be permitted to testify,” the document continues.

Attorneys and their clients are also expected to dress as if the hearings were in person.

Hearings will continue to be recorded through the use of an official court reporter and a virtual “waiting room” will be used to house witnesses as they wait to be called.

“At the presiding judge’s discretion, all hearings until further Order from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, may take place via Zoom,” the document continues.

Attorneys who would like to hold an in person hearing will have to contact Powers and explain why utilizing Zoom is necessary. If approved anyone entering the courthouse must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose.

MAGISTRATES

Magisterial District Offices will begin holding proceedings and accepting filings on Monday, May 11 at 8 a.m. with all hearings held in accordance with the following procedures:

All parties, their attorneys and witnesses will report to the magistrate office. Those reporting to Judge Keith Kibler or Judge John Maggs offices will remain in the parking lot, those reporting to Judge Frank Mills in Renovo will park along the 100 block of 9th Street or the 800 block of Erie Avenue.

Parties and attorneys will be summoned individually into the office when proceedings commence. No party, attorney or witness will enter the office prior to being summoned.

If communication is necessary while a party, attorney or witness is waiting outside the building, it will be conducted over the phone by calling 570-726-4064 (Maggs); 570-923-9931 (Mills); 570-893-4086 (Kibler).

Witnesses will be summoned from the parking lot to the courtroom when it is time for testimony. At the end of the testimony the witness will either return to the parking area or be excused from the proceeding.

All parties, attorneys and witnesses that enter the building must wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose and maintain appropriate social distancing and sit in appropriate seats designated by the judge and staff.

Magistrate offices will only accept payment by mail or E-Pay and non-emergency filings should also occur by mail or by an e-filing system.

The doors to each office will remain locked and no preliminary hearings will be held at the district offices until Powers issues authorization.

PROBATION, DOMESTIC RELATIONS

Both the Adult and Juvenile Probation Office and Domestic Relation office will remain closed to the public and operate as they have since the initial closure in March.

The Adult and Juvenile Probation office will continue to operate under the following protocol:

— Will operate a “skeleton crew” office of minimal staff to ensure the completion of drug testing requirements including support staff and at least two probation officers.

— Phones switched to an “operator” type setting.

— Limit field operations and only as approved by supervisors. Officers utilize the 10-21 app to allow for effective communication between officers and offenders while keeping their personal phone numbers private.

— Staff who work from home will utilize various programs to continue completing their required tasks.

The Domestic Relations Office will continue to cancel or reschedule meetings, conferences and appointments and individual who need to file for support should visit https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/csws/?Preference=Desktop&Owner=Client.