Are Columbus courts open during the coronavirus outbreak? Here’s a breakdown by division
When Georgia declared a judicial emergency restricting local courts through April 13 to performing only their essential functions, to impede the spread of COVID-19, those in Columbus had determine quickly what was essential and how to continue those services.
“We spent the entire weekend on conference calls, up until early in the morning, up until 10 o’clock at night trying to make that determination,” said Muscogee Superior Court Clerk Danielle Forte, speaking in her Government Center second-floor office to which the doors were shut Tuesday.
No longer could people just walk in to ask for help. They had to push a button out in the hall, to ring someone to come out.
Similarly, probate court on the sixth floor was closed off, with Judge Marc D’Antonio asking customers to make an appointments. On the eighth floor, Municipal Court remained open, though all hearings were suspended.
Here’s how those courts will work during the judicial emergency:
Superior Court Criminal Division: The court will continue to process consent bonds or orders that permit an inmate’s release from the Muscogee County Jail. “We don’t want anyone to stay in jail a day longer than they have to,” Forte said. Judges will continue to hold those bond hearings, and anyone needing to track that may check dockets on the clerk’s website, www.muscogeecourts.com.
Veterans Court, which adjudicates matters involving military veterans, has been suspended until after April 13. Schedules for other specialty courts, such as drug court, mental health court and parental accountability court, also may change or be suspended, Forte said. Those seeking more information on those may check the website or call 706-653-4353.
Superior Court Civil Division: The court will continue to process temporary restraining orders and hold evidentiary hearings on them, to ensure the safety of abused spouses and others in need of protection under the stalking and family violence laws. E-filing, or filing petitions electronically, is available, and those needing help with that may call 706-653-4372, Forte said.
State Court Criminal: State Court sometimes orders cash bond refunds, and the clerk will continue to process those orders from March 13 or before, when the court last had hearings. Also the court may have reduced some DUI charges to reckless driving, and residents needing documentation can get copies, which may be required to restore driving privileges.
State Court Civil: This is not regarded as essential. Anyone needing more information on that may call 706-653-4361.
Real Estate: People needing to conduct title searches through the clerk’s property records may continue to, though they will have to ask for access to that area. The Board of Equalization, which hears challenges to property tax assessments, is suspended for the emergency.
Probate Court: Judge D’Antonio said his office will not conduct weddings or issue firearms-carry permits during the emergency. Any permits that expire during that period will be honored, until they can be renewed. The court’s essential functions will focus on protecting health and safety, so involuntary commitments for those in need of care will continue, as will emergency guardianships and conservatorships in which someone needs supervision because of dementia or other conditions, or in which allegations of abuse or neglect are involved.
The court also will continue temporary administrations and common-form probates, as in cases where a business owner dies and a spouse must step in to make payroll, the judge said. D’Antonio said he also will continue to decide the disposition of bodies, as when survivors disagree on how a loved one’s remains are to be handled.
The probate court wants residents in need of those services to make an appointment by calling 706-653-4333. Attorneys needing to file documents with the court may do so via email, with the originals to be filed with five business days, D’Antonio said.
Municipal Court: Though all hearings are suspended until after April 13, the office remains open for customers to file small claims (in disputes involving $15,000 or less), garnishments, civil suits and dispossessory or eviction applications. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Juvenile Court: All cases in the six-county Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit scheduled through April 13 will be postponed to each county’s April docket, with exceptions for preliminary hearings on delinquency and protective hearings in Georgia Department of Family and Children Services cases involving removing children from a home. The court headquartered on the first floor of the Government Center’s east wing handles cases involving children under age 18 in need of services and criminal allegations involving those under age 17.
Recorder’s Court: The city court that handles preliminary hearings in criminal cases as well as traffic offenses and city environmental code violations closed to the public Tuesday and is to remain closed through May 1. Hearings in those cases will be rescheduled. Notices for new court dates will be by mail. Residents can receive notice by email by calling 706-653-4256. Those needing to pay a traffic fine may do that online at www.crcpay.com.
The court will continue to hold probable-cause hearings for inmates being held in the county jail.
For more information on city services during the COVID-19 emergency, visit www.columbusga.gov/Coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 2:15 PM.