image description

Maryland Circuit Court Limits Operations

March 15th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Pursuant to Chief Judge Barbera's Order of March 13, 2020, the Allegany County Circuit Court, Courthouse, 30 Washington Street, Cumberland, MD is closed to the public on an emergency basis provided, however, that Judiciary operations shall continue to the extent practicable.

As identified in Chief Judge Barbera's Order, seventeen (17) matters which the Court schedules and hears on an urgent basis, consistent with statutory requests, will continue to be addressed by the Court on a priority basis. Cases that are scheduled for trials, motions or hearings on March 16, 2020 shall be heard, provided the parties, counsel and witnesses are available and not exhibiting any symptoms of illness on a self-reporting basis. Only the parties, attorneys, testifying witnesses are permitted to attend those trials, motions or hearings, unless permission is expressly granted by the presiding judge. While Chief Judge Barbera's March 13, 2020 Order remains in effect, the Circuit Court is available to hear and consider non-jury cases which have been previously scheduled for hearing or trial.

Counsel should consult with opposing counsel, if represented, to determine that the parties, counsel and witnesses are available and not exhibiting any symptoms of illness on a selfreporting basis. If the parties are willing to proceed with the hearing or trial recognizing that members of the public will be excluded, they are asked to contact the Chambers of the assigned judge and advise of the parties' intent to go forward on the assigned date and time. All criminal cases scheduled for Status hearings on March 17, 24 or 31, 2020 shall proceed as scheduled to make a MD Rule 4-271 (Hicks) determination. All other matters scheduled to be heard between March 16, 2020 through April 3, 2020 are postponed pending further order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. 

Leave a Reply