The Mississippi Supreme Court is giving lower courts the authority to decide what is best for each district during the coronavirus pandemic.
The supreme court has issued several orders regarding the coronavirus.
“All of these orders were designed to keep justice moving. I am really concerned about public health and safety. I am really concerned about fulfilling our Constitutional duties to keep courts open,” Mississippi Chief Justice Mike Randolph said in an emergency order.
In Marion County Chancery Court, all matters scheduled for in-court appearances until May 15 have been continued, according to an order signed by all four chancellors of the 10th district on March 16. The continuance includes the status conference scheduled for April 28 in the matter of the City of Columbia annexation. A new date has not been scheduled.
The order also states that it does not restrict any chancellor’s authority to conduct court on a case-by-case exception using video and teleconferencing means.
Marion County Circuit Clerk Janette Nolan said the next term for circuit court in Marion County does not begin until May 14. As of right now, it is still set to begin. There was an arraignment Thursday, but it was being handled one defendant at a time with a conference call with the defendant’s attorney.
Nolan also said the grand jury that was scheduled to meet this month was canceled and all other court matters are being handled daily by electronic means.
At the Columbia Municipal Court, the judge has the discretion to decide the best way to proceed. Cases that have been set for trial during March and April have been continued until July and August. No decision has been made yet for May. Fines payments can be mailed. If a person comes to the court to make a payment, the payment will also be received.
Marion County District 1 Justice Court Judge Brandon Rowell said the Justice Court is branching more into technology, including using programs such as Zoom video conferencing and looking into ways to electronically sign documents.
Rowell, a registered nurse when not presiding as a justice court judge, said appearances and hearings are being done in a very efficient manner between the jail, the defendant, the defendant’s attorney and the court staff by some unconventional yet constitutional means.
“On behalf of Judge Broom and myself, we are here on the frontline from a different perspective, along with our clerks, to see that you get your due process in any way we can without delay under the current rules and procedures,” Rowell said.
Justice court is still open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Rowell said fines and court business can still be handled in person. By phone you can make payments and file an affidavit.
Some people are still having to make an appearance and others are being amended for a later date. He said matters of exigency, such as emergency protective orders, hearings and matters relating to abuse, are being handled quickly as outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order 1466.
