Summit County’s Justice Court announced a few weeks ago that it was postponing its hearings for March.
Now, while the staff is still working, the Justice Court is implementing a more extensive program of delays –with some items put off until the fall.
Judge Shauna Kerr told KPCW that the Justice Court is still operating, just in a very different manner.
The Court handles Class B or C Misdemeanors, including violations related to traffic, DUI’s, disorderly conduct, marijuana and domestic violence.
On March 21st, the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court issued a pandemic order.
It directed that criminal defendants not in custody with the county will have their hearings or trials put off until after June 1st. Traffic offenses, either hearings or trials, are postponed until after October 1st.
Judge Kerr said the court is still operational.
“We are no longer, during this pandemic, having roll-call hearings like an arraignment, where we’d have 20, 30, 40 folks in the courtroom at one time. We are open. We are hoping to see folks that are in custody, or emergency hearings, like domestic violence, any of those kind of orders, video-conferencing, and we will be available via phone. And there also is online ability to make payments.”
To contact the court, you can call 615—3800, to get into the phone system, and 3802 to contact the clerks.
The Judge said she’s aware of the burden on defendants, and they’re still aware of the need to maintain their rights.
“There’s still a right to a speedy trial. A speedy trial is kind of a different definition under a pandemic situation. There are issues that need immediate attention. I am happy to go in and see those, as long as we can do the proper distancing and keep safe protocols.”
She said she is continuing to keep track of defendants.
“Those folks that are arrested, I still review everything, every day several times. If they come into the jail, I can see them with a video, before they’re even booked to set bail or to release them. So I’ve confirmed with the jail that they’re not currently holding any misdemeanant defendant in custody.”
Payments for traffic offenses can be made online with a credit or debit card—and the court will not be charging the standard processing fee.
In addition, the court is not issuing any new warrants for failure to appear during the period of the pandemic order (though existing warrants already out there might result in the detention of some defendants.)
And Judge Kerr mentioned a particular concern on domestic violence cases.
“Domestic violence cases are on the rise because of the situation we find ourselves in. I will be seeing those hearings and conducting those as quickly as possible as well. If you know someone that may be in a situation that’s not safe for them or for their children, please have them contact the Peace House or the Justice Center, so that we can get them some resources, so that they don’t find their way into the court.”
The Justice Court also has the responsibility to enforce the county’s Stay-At-Home order. Judge Kerr said they will likely be educating people, more than citing them—except for citizens who are flagrant and persistent violators.
Judge Kerr had these final words for the community served by the court.
“The Justice Court’s role is to be the community court. And the community is common unity. And as we go forward during these difficult times, it’s my judicial philosophy that we all have to give up a little something to get through this time. So if someone has a fine that’s due, and you also have rent that’s due, or you need food—pay your rent, buy your food. We’ll still be in business when this is over, and we can settle up then. But just don’t go dark on us. Call us, let us know what difficulties—we can work with anyone on those things.”
Summit County Justice Court Judge Shauna Kerr.
