In the Courts 

Missouri Judiciary Responses to COVID-19

Illinois Judiciary Responses to COVID-19
 

St. Louis City (22nd Circuit Court)

All COVID-19 Orders

3/25/2020: On March 24, Presiding Judge Rex M. Burlison issued an order regarding court operations and building access.

3/23/2020: On March 20, Presiding Judge Rex M. Burlison issued an order regarding summons, writs, evictions, etc. and regarding the juvenile division.

3/16/2020: Presiding Judge Rex M. Burlison issued an Administrative Order, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, and continuing through Friday, April 10, 2020, unless modified or extended by a subsequent administrative order, the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis will remain open, with the following modifications to its operations:

• The Jury Supervisor is ordered to suspend the impaneling of jurors during this time period. Criminal jury trial cases are ordered to be continued to a date determined by the judge of the division in which the case is assigned. Civil jury trial cases are continued and ordered returned to Division 1 and shall be restored to an appropriate roll-over docket. Jury trials shall resume on Monday, April 13, 2020, unless the period of suspension of jury trial is extended by subsequent administrative order.
• IN ALL CRIMINAL CASES where the defendant is confined in the Justice Center or Medium Security Institution in the City of St. Louis or at any other prison:
  • Defendants shall not be personally transported to or brought into court for any hearing, unless the judge assigned to the case specifically orders otherwise.
  • All hearings regarding any such defendants shall be conducted via videoconferencing, including initial appearance and arraignment hearings.
  • Judicial officers have the discretion to allow attorneys to appear by telephone if appropriate and cancel/continue hearings as appropriate and consistent with this Administrative Order.
  • Probation officers shall not appear in person for probation proceedings unless specifically ordered by the assigned judge.
  • Judges are encouraged to identify alternative methods for victims to participate in any hearings.
• Individual hearings on specific criminal, domestic and probate cases will proceed as currently scheduled unless the specific Judge assigned to that case takes action pursuant to this Administrative Order. Judicial officers are strongly encouraged to conduct any such hearings via videoconferencing if possible or consider alternative means to conduct said hearings. Additionally,judicial officers are strongly encouraged to continue such hearings consistent with this Administrative Order and guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
• BULK DOCKETS or large volume dockets including but not limited to, cases pending before an Associate Circuit Court Judges, landlord/tenant cases, small claims cases, traffic and municipal cases, may be postponed and rescheduled, by specific order of the assigned judge. Each judge has the discretion to conduct said dockets via telephone or videoconferencing in lieu of a continuance.
• Judges are encouraged to continue trials and hearings, consistent with directives from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, as well as any Orders by the Governor ofthe State of Missouri, the Mayor of the City of St. Louis, and the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.
• FULL ORDER OF PROTECTION hearings that are presently scheduled for the March 16, 2020 through April 13, 2020 will be continued for two weeks from the date of the currently scheduled hearing for good cause as demonstrated in this Administrative Order. All Ex Parte Orders of Protection currently in existence will be extended by operation of this Administrative Order until the new hearing date. The assigned judge may reschedule any such hearing for good cause.
• TREAMENT COURT: The Treatment Court Administrator is authorized to suspend programs in the Treatment Court consistent with this Administrative Order, including:
  • Temporarily limiting regular Friday morning screenings and Wednesday morning admissions dockets, for the next four weeks.
  • Cases already on our admissions docket shall be moved to Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
  • All defendant previously ordered to enter a Treatment Court program on the admissions docket of March 18, 2020, shall follow that order and formally accept the individual at that time.
  • Any defendant previously determined eligible for a Treatment Court program, may be ordered to enter Treatment Court prior to April 8, 2020, and those defendants will be accommodated immediately on an individual basis.
• JUVENILE COURT: The Court Administrator is authorized to review programs and operations of Juvenile Court consistent with this Administrative Order.
  • Staff shall adhere to the protocols listed in the Court Administrator's email to the Juvenile Division staff dated March 14, 2020.
  • The Custody and Safe Exchange program will continue but may have reduced hours.
  • Regarding hearings scheduled in the Juvenile Division of the 22nd Circuit Court, all detention hearings will proceed as scheduled. Hearings for juveniles held in judicial custody within the St. Louis Detention Center shall be held as scheduled and may be held by video. All other delinquency cases may be continued for good cause at the discretion of the judicial officer. All protective custody hearings will proceed as scheduled. Other hearings in child abuse and neglect cases may be continued for good cause as long as they will not be out of time as required by the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act.
• ALL FRIDAY AFTERNOON WEDDING are cancelled until further notice.
• REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS ON VISITORS to the Carnahan Court House, Civil Courts Building and the Juvenile Court is necessary to protect the judges, employees, litigants, and attorneys, who will still be accessing these courthouses. Therefore, effective immediately, the following persons shall not enter any of these courthouses:
  • Persons who are not a named party, attorney of record, or under compelled attendance by subpoena, in cases scheduled for hearing or trial, not otherwise required to be rescheduled under this Administrative Order.
  • Persons who have travelled to any foreign country within the last 14 days;
  • Persons who reside or have had close contact with someone who has travelled to any foreign country within the last 14 days;
  • Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency;
  • Persons who have been diagnosed with, or have had contact with, anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
  • Persons with unexplained fever, cough or shortness of breath.

  Anyone attempting to enter in violation of these protocols will be denied entry by the Sheriff of the city of St. Louis or his assigned deputies.

• THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS MUNICIPAL COURT is subject to this Administrative Order and is encouraged to take appropriate action consistent with this Administrative Order and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

St. Louis County (21st Circuit Court)

All COVID-19 Orders

4/7/2020: On April 6, Presiding Judge Michael D. Burton issued an order regarding updated court operations.

4/6/2020: On March 25, Presiding Judge Michael D. Burton issued an order regarding probate division operations. On March 26, Judge Burton issued an order regarding orders of protection. And, on March 30, Judge Burton issued orders regarding municipal division operations and confinements.

3/25/2020: On March 24, Presiding Judge Michael D. Burton issued an order regarding court operations and building access.

3/16/2020: Presiding Judge Michael D. Burton issued Administrative Order 14, effective Monday, March 16, 2020 and continuing until further order of the Court.

The following persons shall not enter the St. Louis County Courthouse, or any of its Divisions in St. Louis County Missouri:

• Persons who have traveled to any foreign county within the last 14 days;
• Persons who reside or have had close contact with someone who has traveled to any foreign country within the last 14 days;
• Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency;
• Persons who have tested positive, been diagnosed with, or have had contact with, anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; and
• Persons with fevers, or unexplained coughs or shortness of breath.

Anyone attempting to enter in violation of these protocols will be denied entry and removed from the Courthouse by Court Security.

Any attorney or party shall immediately notify opposing counsel and the court if they reasonably suspect that a participant in any proceeding authorized by this Court's Administrative Order 13 may come within any of the above listed categories.

If you have a scheduled appointment or you are otherwise required to appear at one of the offices or divisions of this courthouse in St. Louis County Missouri, and you are unable to appear because of the restrictions listed above, you should proceed as follows:

• If you are represented by an attorney, please contact your attorney;
• If you are scheduled to appear in Court before a Circuit Court Judge, an Associate Circuit Court Judge or a Commissioner, please visit the Court's website at <www.wp.stlcountycourts.com> and then proceed to the Division’s webpage located under "Services > Division Directory" for further information. Each court division may have information about both their upcoming dockets and the rescheduling of those dockets. You can also contact the Division Clerk directly;
• If you need information about the status of your case, please consult Casenet or contact the Circuit Clerk's Office at 314-615-8029, the Clerk of the Family Court at 314-615-4400, or the Clerk of the Probate Court at 314-615-2629;
• If you are a prospective Juror, please contact the Jury Commissioner at 314-615-2669;
• If you are seeking an Order of Protection regarding adult/child abuse, please contact 314-615-8086;
• If you are scheduled to meet with a Probation Officer, please contact the Saint Louis County Probation Office at 314-615-4770 or the Missouri Probation and Parole Office at 314-340-3801;
• For St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney matters, please contact the Saint Louis County Prosecuting Attorney at 314-615-2600;
• For St. Louis County Public Defender matters, please contact the Missouri Public Defender at 314-615-4778;
• For St. Louis County Sheriff matters, please call the Sheriff's main line at 314-615-4724.

St. Charles County (11th Circuit Court)

4/6/2020: On April 2, Presiding Judge Daniel G. Pelikan issued Administrative Order 2020-015, superseding Administrative Order 2020-012, regarding court operations and limiting access to court buildings during COVID-19.

4/1/2020: On March 25, Presiding Judge Daniel G. Pelikan issued an order regarding family court case management conferences and an order regarding warrants, extraditions, service of process, and writs of execution.

3/25/2020: On March 24, Presiding Judge Daniel G. Pelikan issued an order regarding court operations and building access.

3/20/2020: Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020 and continuing through Friday, April 3, 2020, the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department shall not leave the State of Missouri to transport an out-of-county defendant being held on a warrant issued out of the 11th Judicial Circuit, St. Charles County Circuit Court, on criminal cases involving anything less than an A or B felony. On out of state transport on cases involving A or B felonies the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department shall not retrieve the Defendant unless approved by the Division Judge and the Presiding Judge. In addition the Sheriff's Deputy may not travel in excess of 500 miles by automobile, not use air travel, and may not enter any state that has been deemed a COVID-19 problem state by the St. Charles County Department of Health.

3/18/2020: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and until further order of this Court, that the following persons shall not enter the St. Charles County Courthouse, or any of its Divisions in St. Charles County, Missouri:

• Persons who have traveled to any foreign county within the last 14 days;
• Persons who reside or have had close contact with someone who has travelled to any foreign country within the last 14 days;
• Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency;
• Persons who have been diagnosed with, or have had contact with, anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; and
• Persons with unexplained fever, cough or shortness of breath.

Anyone attempting to enter in violation of these protocols will be denied entry by a Court Security Officer. Individuals not authorized to enter the premises because of the restrictiqns listed above are provided the following contact information to have remote access to the administration of justice:

Any attorney or party shall promptly notify opposing counsel and the court if they reasonably suspect that a participant in any proceeding authorized by this Court's Administrative Order 2020-007 may come within any of the above listed categories.

If you have a scheduled appointment or you are otherwise required to appear at one of the offices or divisions of this courthouse in St. Charles County, Missouri, and you are unable to appear because of the restrictions listed above, you should proceed as follows:

• If you are represented by an attorney, please contact your attorney;
• If you are an attorney scheduled to appear in Court before a Circuit or Associate Circuit Judge or a Commissioner, please contact the Division Clerk directly (or contact the Clerk's Office at 636-949-7900 or the Clerk of the Family Court at 636-949-7900 Ext. 7745 or the Clerk of the Probate Court at 636-949-7900 Ext. 5535 or visit the Court's website at https://www.courts.mo.gov/hosted/circuit11/.
• If you need information about the status of your case, please consult Casenet or contact the Circuit Clerk's Office at 636-949-7900;
• If you are a prospective Juror, please contact the Jury Services at 636-949-3088;
• If you are seeking an Order of Protection regarding adult/child abuse please contact 636-949-3080;
• If you are scheduled to meet with a Probation Officer, please contact your assigned private probation office, or the Missouri Probation and Parole Office at 314-340-3801;
• For St. Charles Prosecuting Attorney matters, please contact the Saint Charles Prosecuting Attorney at 636-949-7355;
• St. Charles County Public Defender matters, please contact the Missouri Public Defender at 314-615-4778;
• For St. Charles County Sheriff matters, please call the main line at 636-949-7380.

Jefferson County (23rd Circuit Court)

3/20/2020: Administrative Order 3-19-20-1 issued regarding juveniles.

3/18/2020: On March 16, Presiding Judge Darrell E. Missey issued Administrative Order 3-16-20-3, effective immediately and until April 3.

The Court orders that the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit shall suspend all in person proceedings until April 3, 2020, and partially close the office of the Circuit Clerk, under the terms and with the exceptions that follow:

1. Other than the exceptions listed below, all dockets of the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit are hereby continued until a time designated by the judges of the various divisions after April 3, 2020.
2. During this period of suspended proceedings, the only hearings to be conducted are as follows: proceedings necessary to protect the constitutional rights of criminal defendants and juveniles, civil and criminal jury trials already in progress, proceedings under Chapter 455 pertaining to orders of protection, proceedings related to emergency child custody orders, proceedings related to petitions for temporary restraining orders or other forms of temporary relief, proceedings related to emergency mental health orders, proceedings pursuant to Chapter 475 for emergency guardianship or conservatorship, proceedings related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, oral argument regarding time sensitive matters, or other exceptions approved by the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court. The judge conducting a hearing on any such matter shall confer with the Circuit Clerk and the Sheriff to obtain the attendance of a clerk and bailiff at such proceeding.
3. During the period of suspended proceedings, the duty judge shall conduct required hearings in matters listed in paragraph 2 except those matters specifically set by a judge in a division that hears those matters. The duty judge shall conduct all hearings regarding the bond to be established for newly arrested defendants within 48 hours, as required by Supreme Court Rule. Any subsequent bond hearings ordinarily required within seven days are hereby continued for good cause shown to a date to be determined by the designated trial judge, which will occur after April 3. Any judges may conduct hearings on matters listed in paragraph 2 of this order if such matter is assigned to that judge's division pursuant to the regular assignment order.
4. The main office of Circuit Clerk shall receive no hand-delivered correspondence or payment during this time. All pro se pleadings and Petitions for Ex Parte Orders of Protection will be filed at the ground floor information window. In person contact between the public and clerical staff at the main window of the circuit clerk's office will resume on April 6, 2020.
5. The Circuit Clerk shall designate a limited number of personnel who shall be available to process incoming filings by the office of the Prosecuting Attorney, ex parte orders of protection, pro se filings, or to process entries and perform other duties with regard to proceedings as listed in paragraph 2 of this order. Except for those people designated by the Circuit Clerk to perform these functions, the Office of the Circuit Clerk shall be closed and the employees of the Circuit Clerk shall be on paid administrative leave.
6. The Juvenile Office of the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit shall remain open for the timebeing, and the employees of the Juvenile Office shall currently operate as all other personnel paid by the County. The status of Juvenile Office operations will continue to be assessed and will be addressed by subsequent administrative orders.
7. The Presiding Judge may extend the time that this order will be in effect if the circumstances merit such action.

Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District

3/20/2020: Effective immediately, and until further order ofthis Court, Local Rule 333 requirements to file paper copies of briefs and transcripts by registered users of the electronic filing system is hereby suspended. Attorneys should not forward or attempt to file any paper copies until futther order of this Court. Pro se litigants may still file paper copies of filings, but are encouraged to use alternate means of filing documents under Rule 330, such as by facsimile or e-mail, as allowed under that rule.

3/16/2020: While the court remains open for business, oral argument is cancelled in all cases through April 16, 2020, and all cases will be submitted on the briefs. Attorneys wanting oral argument may file a motion to reschedule oral argument. The court's special dockets scheduled March 24 at Jackson High School, March 31 at Cardinal Ritter High School, and April 1 at the Northern Division at the Hannibal Federal Building, are all cancelled. The portrait ceremony honoring recently retired judges Lisa Van Amburg and Lawrence Mooney and the unveiling their portraits previously scheduled for April 14 is postponed until a later date.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, effective Monday March 16, 2020, and until further order of this Court, that the following persons shall not enter the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District:

1. Persons who have traveled to any foreign count1y within the last 14 days;
2. Persons who reside or have had close contact with someone who has travelled to any foreign country within the last 14 days;
3. Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency;
4. Persons who have been diagnosed with, or have had contact with, anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; and
5. Persons with unexplained fever, cough or shortness of breath.

Anyone attempting to enter in violation of these protocols will be denied entty by the Marshal. Individuals not authorized to enter the premises because of the restrictions listed above are provided the following contact information to have remote access to the administration of justice:

1. If you are represented by an attorney, please contact your attorney;
2. If you need information about the status of your case, please consult Case.net or telephone the Clerk's office at 314-539-4300;
3. If you need to file any pleading, you may file the pleading via facsimile transmission at 314-539-4324 or via e-mail in Word or PDF format at moapped@courts.mo.gov.

Supreme Court of Missouri

4/6/2020: The Supreme Court of Missouri issued new orders extending the municipal judge continuing education reporting year and deadline and regarding return receipt of certified or registered mail.

4/1/2020: The Supreme Court of Missouri issued a new notice regarding oral arguments scheduled for April 2020, tours of the Supreme Court building, and other access to the Supreme Court building.

3/25/2020: The Supreme Court of Missouri issued a new order on March 25 regarding emergency procedures for the administering of oaths and affirmations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3/24/2020: The Supreme Court of Missouri issued a new order on March 23 extending the CLE reporting year to September 30, 2020, and the reporting deadline to October 31, 2020.

3/23/2020: The Supreme Court of Missouri issued a new order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other directives, the order suspends—with certain listed exceptions—all in-person proceedings in all state courts through April 17 and authorizes local courts to determine the manner in which the listed exceptions should be conducted.

3/16/2020: In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Supreme Court of Missouri today made certain changes related to its own operations:

• Oral arguments scheduled for April 2020 will not be held in-person in the Supreme Court Building. Instead, attorneys with cases docketed in April may request their case be submitted on briefs, seek a continuance of oral argument or explore the possibility of conducting arguments remotely.
• All tours scheduled for the foreseeable future have been canceled, and meetings or other nonessential business will be canceled or postponed.
• At least through Friday, April 3, the building will be open for essential business only, and employees will conduct necessary business remotely. To prevent against potential exposure, the Court notes visitors who meet the following criteria will not be permitted into the building: (1) have recently traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea; (2) have been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19; (3) are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath; or (4) have some other coronavirus-related risk. Instead, such individuals may contact the Court at (573) 751-4144.

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri

3/30/2020: Today Chief Judge Rodney W. Sippel issued the following Order allowing for expanded use of videoconferencing, or teleconferencing when video is not available, in pretrial criminal matters, pleas, and sentencings as authorized under emergency provisions by the Judicial Conference of the United States under the recently-passed CARES Act. See the Order for full details.

3/26/2020: The Court has centralized all COVID-19 related communications at https://www.moed.uscourts.gov/sites/moed/files/COVID-19-FAQ.pdf.

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At BAMSL 

BAMSL cares about our members and the legal profession, and we believe in taking responsible actions to protect the health and safety of everyone we serve. We are monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on our members, employees, families, workplaces, and communities. Our actions will be based upon the changing circumstances and guidance from health officials.

BAMSL staff will be working from home and the BAMSL Bar Center will be closed until further notice. Sections and Committees are encouraged to hold their meetings virtually or by telephone conference during this time.

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Resources for Coping with COVID-19 

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has opened a statewide public hotline for anyone who has questions about the coronavirus, or COVID-19. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can reach the hotline at 1-877-435-8411.
 

• COVID-19 Guidance from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• St. Louis City COVID-19 Information
• St. Louis County COVID-19 Information

Don't forget, the free and confidential Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program is available to assist lawyers, their immediate family members, and Missouri law students with mental health and well-being resources. Just call 1-800-688-7859.

The following list of resources is provided by The Missouri Bar, The Florida Bar, and the ABA Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs.
 

Anxiety

• To get free confidential, 24/7 support for anxiety, text "HOME" to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
• Science-based strategies for coping with COVID anxiety, The Conversation
• Connect with BAMSL's Well-Being Committee or post in the anonymous forum.

Panic

• Coronavirus and your mental health: Two experts explain why we panic and how to cope, Toronto Star.

Stress

• How do you keep down your stress levels at the office? Tips on managing stress levels from the ABA.
• Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Also available in Spanish.

Staying Mentally Healthy

• Managing Anxiety and Stress during the COVID-19 outbreak, CDC
• Staying Mentally Healthy During COVID-19, The Campaign to Change Direction
• Protecting Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Online and telephone support groups for individuals with mental illness, NAMI

Staying Physically Healthy

• Stream free on-demand, at-home workouts, Gateway Region YMCA
• 8 Reasons to Use Streaming for a Budget Workout, Reviews.com

Office Management, Leadership & Remote Work

• Resilience During Uncertain Times: Strategies for Supporting and Engaging Employees, Burton D. Garland, Jr.
• The Coronavirus Outbreak is a Referendum on Virtual Practice: How Quickly Can Your Law Firm Get Up to Speed?, The Missouri Bar
• Ethical considerations for Missouri lawyers during COVID-19 spread, The Bar Plan
• No one has a playbook for this, New York Times
• business preparedness, MN Bench & Bar tech/cybersecurity columnist Mark Lanterman
• USA Today and PCWorld on tech tips and products to help you work better remotely.
• What you need to know about working at home, Forbes
• Challenges and frustrations of working—and isolating—at home, Washington Post
• What companies are doing on the fly to facilitate working remotely, Chicago Tribune
• Employer actions that can help safeguard those employees who can't work remotely, CNBC
• How to communicate effectively over Slack and email, CNBC
• The Leader's Guide to Managing Covid-19 Panic, Forbes.
• 8 strategies to set up remote work during the coronavirus outbreak, Fast Company.
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, OSHA
• Preparing your law firm for disasters, American Bar Association (ABA)

BAMSL member benefit partner Smith.ai is offering a special promotion to assist law firms during these unusual times. Use promo code SMITHCOVID19 at checkout.

• 20 additional calls on our a 20-call free trial, for a total of 40 calls free ($140 value)
• 1 free CRM integration
• Free 24/7 chatbot with free white-glove setup & installation ($150 value)

Social Distancing

• COVID-19 Social Distancing Flier, City of St. Louis
• Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Also available in Spanish.

Substance Abuse

• AA
• In the Rooms
• Al-Anon
• Smart Recovery
• Author Brian Cuban's blog "The Addicted Lawyer" offers guidance and options for recovery meetings.
• Importance of seeking help for mental health and substance use disorders, Fear Not: Speaking Out to End Stigma (three minute video)

Suicide

• Free, confidential 24/7 support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for oneself and others Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

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