After a three-month hiatus, Marietta Municipal Court is back in session. The court began hearing cases June 2 with some modifications to its operations.
City spokeswoman Lindsey Wiles said the court has reduced the number of cases on the calendar from 150 to no more than 50 per session to make sure people can adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The city in March postponed Municipal Court sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since reopening, the court has heard 10 sessions from June 2-15 and 14 more are scheduled through June 30, Wiles said. Parties with pending cases have been notified of the new dates through the U.S. Postal Service, Wiles added.
Marietta Municipal Court is located inside the Police Department at 240 Lemon Street and handles traffic citations and city ordinance violations.
Other protective measures implemented include sanitizing the courtroom between sessions, installing hand sanitizing stations, directing people to use separate entry and exit doors, adding floor markings to help people maintain a six-foot distance and carrying out a brief health screening to anyone coming to the court for business.
People will have their temperatures checked by a touchless thermometer and will be asked a series of health-related questions. The court will provide a package containing a pen, gloves, a seat number and forms they may need for their court appearance. Masks or face coverings will be required for anyone to enter the court, and masks will be available if anyone arrives without one.
Court officials will provide a new court date for individuals or their family members who:
•have a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher;
•have a compromised immune system;
•have experienced COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, are awaiting test results or have traveled to or from places where the disease is active; or
•if they are 65 or older or if they arrive with children because they have no child care options.
The city said its drive-thru window is also available for anyone who wants to make payments or request continuances to another court date.
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