03/16/2020
We know that many of you have questions about the status of your court date with the recent news regarding the coronavirus and COVID-19. Please read the following regarding the Rowan County courthouse’s plan of action. The general rule is that cases will be continued for at least thirty (30) days. There are many exceptions, however, so please carefully review the following. If our clients still have questions about whether or not their cases will be continued, please give us a call. You may also call the clerk’s office at (704) 797-3001.
Even if your case is considered one of the exceptions to the rule, please know that “anyone with an illness is strongly encouraged not to come to the Rowan County Justice Center.” This means that if you are currently sick, or if you are at high risk of severe illness because of your advanced age, or if you suffer from serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or weakened immune systems, you will likely not need to appear in court. If you fall under these categories, you will need to contact our office with this information.
Finally, we are trying to do our part to limit the spread of the coronavirus. While we plan to continue to be open during normal business hours, we do ask that you make every attempt to avoid coming to our office. We are happy to schedule phone calls and video conferences with you. Payments may be made through our website at www.sherrillcameron.com/payment. You may email us directly to [email protected]. As long as our office stays virus-free, we will be open to assist you with your legal needs! So, please help us help you by avoiding in-office visits if possible. Thank you!
To see if your case will be continued or not, please review the following. If you have questions, please do NOT leave them in the comments to maintain attorney-client confidentiality.
DISTRICT COURT:
Civil District Court
• All CV/MC/CVT sessions are cancelled and cases will be rescheduled beyond 30 days.
• Any Emergency Custody cases or other emergency matters will be heard in Courtroom 2 on Monday at 9:30 am.
• All District Court Arbitrations will be rescheduled beyond 30 days.
Criminal District Court
• Courtroom 1 (Rowan County Courthouse) will be operating daily at 9:00 am for morning sessions only to hear felony and domestic violence first appearances, bond hearings, probation violations and any scheduled misdemeanor cases with defendants in custody. Remote video is to be used for inmate cases, if possible.
• All cases with defendants not in custody will be continued.
• All other criminal and traffic court sessions are cancelled.
Child Support Enforcement Court
• Courtroom 4 (Rowan County Courthouse) will be closed and cases will be rescheduled beyond 30 days except for those cases where the defendant is in custody.
• Child support cases with the defendant in custody will be heard in Courtroom 4 (Rowan County Courthouse) on Tuesday at 9:30 am.
Civil Domestic Violence Court
• Domestic violence protective orders (50Bs or DVPOs) are exceptions. You may apply for one if you are the victim of domestic violence, and your case will be calendared within ten (10) days.
• 50Bs/DVPOs with Motions to Show Cause, Motions to Modify or Set Aside, and Motions for Return of Weapons shall be continued beyond 30 days.
• 50Bs/DVPO 10 day return hearings will be heard on Mondays in Courtroom 2 at 9:30 am
Juvenile Abuse Neglect & Dependency Court
• Courtroom 5 (Rowan County Courthouse) will be closed and cases will be rescheduled beyond 30 days.
• Hearings for Motions for Non-Secure Custody should be coordinated with the Trial Court Coordinator in District Court Judges Office.
CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT
• Maintain normal office hours to accept filings, until further notice.
• Guardianship Hearings will be conducted as needed, subject to health precautions, including video testimony, as determined by the Clerk of Court.
• Involuntary Commitments will be conducted as needed, subject to health precautions, including video testimony, as determined by the Clerk of Court.
• Estate administration matters will be conducted, although in-person meetings will be subject to health precautions as determined by the Clerk of Court.
• Estate hearings will be postponed for thirty days unless consent by parties to conduct remotely.
• Special Proceeding hearings will be postponed for thirty days unless consent by parties to conduct remotely.
MAGISTRATE AND SMALL CLAIMS
• The Rowan County Magistrate’s Office will be open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and normal operations will continue for Warrants for Arrest, Magistrate’s Orders, Criminal Summons, Initial Appearances, Cash Bonds / Property Bonds, Involuntary Commitment Orders, Juvenile Petitions, and Secured and Non-Secured Custody Orders.
• Subject to health precautions, Magistrates will perform weddings.
• All Small Claims court proceedings are suspended, and pending matters will be continued and rescheduled.
SUPERIOR COURT
Criminal Superior Court
• No jury trials; no jurors are to report.
• Any future trial weeks beyond April 16, 2020 will be determined at a later date and will be announced.
• Criminal court sessions will commence on March 17, 2020 and thereafter for:
o Taking of pleas for defendants in custody, where feasible, as scheduled by the District Attorney’s Office after consultation with defense counsel; and
o Probation violations for persons in custody as follows: first appearances, bond, probable cause hearings, and dispositive hearings will commence March 17, 2020 with defendant appearing via video, as scheduled by the District Attorney.
Civil Superior Court
• No jury trials; no jurors are to report.
• Civil Superior hearings will be rescheduled beyond 30 days unless consent by parties to conduct remotely.
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