By: Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — Although all jury trials in Oklahoma have been cancelled due to the risk of coronavirus, the Payne County Courthouse remains open for emergency matters.
An order issued jointly by the State Supreme Court and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Monday cancelled all jury terms for 30 days and released jurors from service.
Social distancing is encouraged “to avoid risks to judges, court clerks, court employees and the public,” the order said.
Judges are ordered to reschedule all non-jury trial settings, hearings and pre-trial settings, the order said.
“All courts may limit the number of persons who may enter any courtroom, judges’ or clerks’ offices, jury rooms or any other facility used by the district courts,” the order said.
Persons prohibited from entering any facility used by the district courts include those who have been:
* diagnosed with coronavirus or have direct contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19;
* having symptoms such as fever, severe cough, or shortness of breath;
* outside of the U.S. in the past 14 days or have close contact with anyone who did;
* quarantined or isolated by any doctor or who voluntarily quarantine.
Persons in any of the above categories scheduled for a court appearance or seeking emergency relief should contact their attorney or call the court clerk’s office in the county where they are required to appear.
The emergency order was signed Monday by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Noma D. Gurich and Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge David B. Lewis.
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