Administrative order issued for 36th Judicial Circuit courtrooms

DAR/Paul Davis

Butler County Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett issued an administrative order prohibiting certain persons from entering the courtrooms in the 36th Judicial Circuit.

Pritchett’s order is in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declaring the outbreak of COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons also has declared a state of emergency.

“ … the Missouri Supreme Court has instructed courts in this state to ‘prepare for potential infection in their community’” and has directed its courts to “‘consider strategies to prevent the spread of respiratory germs into, within, and between facilities,’” the order said.

Effective Tuesday and until further order of the court, the following persons shall not enter the Butler County Courthouse or Ripley County Courthouse for court business:

• Persons who have traveled to any foreign country 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, the order further said.

Any attorney or party shall immediately notify opposing counsel and the court if they reasonably suspect a participant in any proceeding authorized by the Supreme Court to proceed may come within any of the above listed categories.

Exemptions include proceedings:

• Necessary to protect the constitutional right of criminal defendants and juveniles;

• Pertaining to orders of protection;

• Related to emergency child custody orders;

• Related to petitions for temporary restraining orders;

• Proceedings related to emergency mental health orders; and

• Pursuant to emergency guardianship or conservatorship.

“For safety reasons, these restrictions will remain in place until further order of this court,” the order said. “Those individuals who think that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.”