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SS+D COVID-19 Response Team: N.D. Ohio Courts Close

March 24, 2020 | Sebaly Shillito + Dyer

ALL COURTS IN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL MAY 1, 2020
The Chief Judge of the Northern District of Ohio, Patricia A. Gaughan, announced today that all courthouses in the Northern District will be closed until May 1, 2020. Only authorized individuals will be allowed to enter courthouse property during this time. The Northern District locations are located in Akron, Cleveland, Toledo and Youngstown. The order suspends all mass public gatherings at public courthouses, directs most employees to telework, and requires all initial appearances, arraignments, and detention hearings to be conducted by telephone or videoconference. The Clerk’s Office will be closed as well, so filings must be made electronically, through the mail, or by email in the event of an emergency.

All civil and criminal trials are continued during the “continuance period,” which lasts until at least May 1, 2020. Criminal sentencings will be postponed, with limited exceptions, and change of plea hearings will not proceed until after May 1, 2020. All grand jury proceedings also are suspended unless deemed absolutely necessary and approved by the Chief Judge. The Order excludes the “continuance period” from the Speedy Trial Act for criminal defendants. According to the Court, the “ends of justice” served by the Order outweigh the interest of the public and a defendant’s right to a speedy trial.




ABOUT THE SS+D COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM
The SS+D COVID-19 Response Team was formed to provide clients, colleagues, and friends of the Firm updates for the foreseeable future on COVID-19 issues facing businesses, executives, and employees. Please let us know if there are any items/issues you would like for us to track or summarize.

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