March 23, 2020 at 11:56 a.m.
Bartholomew County courts make changes for pandemic
The Bartholomew Courts have worked with the Health Department, the Sheriff’s Department, and County Commissioners to ensure we are taking the necessary steps in response to the virus. Maintaining required court operations is important. The health and safety of our employees and community are equally important. Therefore, Bartholomew Circuit and Superior Courts are adjusting the way we operate and changing procedures in the following ways:
Only essential and emergency hearings will be held in person (or by video or conference call at the discretion of the Court) during this time. This includes the following hearing types:- Initial hearings for in-custody defendants
- Bond reviews
- Initial hearings for CHINS and continued initials
- Fact findings for CHINS that are time sensitive
- Juvenile Delinquency initial hearings
- Juvenile Delinquency in-custody trials
- Civil commitments
- Probate Mental health hearings
- Limited Guardianships
- Detention hearings for CHINS and Juvenile Delinquencies
- Protective Orders
- Any other emergency hearing at discretion of the Judge
Attorneys/Litigants/Parties to a Case/Subpoenaed Witnesses
Individuals who are scheduled to come to court for a hearing in a criminal matter from March 18, 2020 through April 17, 2020 should consult mycase.in.gov or contact your attorney to receive advice of counsel to verify your court date. No person will be allowed into the Courthouse to go to one of the Courts, unless they have a pending case with a scheduled hearing and are an attorney, party/litigant or subpoenaed witness to that case.Ordinance Violation and Proceeding Supplemental Cases
All ordinance violations and proceeding supplemental cases have been postponed for at least 30 days. Parties should check mycase.in.gov for more information on when their case is rescheduled.The Courts have thousands of cases. Please be patient as we work to reschedule cases.
E-filing and Odyssey
Indiana’s e-filing system is working. Cases and documents can continue to be filed through the statewide system. The statewide case management system (Odyssey) is working. Litigants, attorneys, press, and public can continue to view case information on mycase.in.gov.
Jail
The Bartholomew Courts are working with the Bartholomew County Sheriff to ensure public safety. The Courts will continue to review bonds; however, most other hearings and trials will be rescheduled during this time. Any questions should be directed to your attorney.All questions regarding jail operations and visitation should be directed to the Sheriff’s Office.
Court Services Center, Community Corrections Center and Youth Services CenterAt this time, we are limiting unnecessary and non-essential public traffic into the Community Corrections Center, Court Services Center and Youth Services Center. As of Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the following will be in place through April 17, 2020:
- Volunteers and the programs they present/facilitate will be suspended
- Visitation of approved family members will be suspended, including off-ground passes.
- Parents of juveniles will be contacted by YSC staff to explain why this is occurring and the youth will receive extra phone time.
- Additionally, we are working with medical staff to evaluate persons who are ordered detained before bringing them into the Community Corrections or the Youth Services Center, screening for and conducting visual assessment for any visible signs of illness and a temperature reading.
In-person client reporting requirements for March 18, 2020 through April 17, 2020 are suspended unless the client is informed otherwise by their probation officer. These activities will be done via phone/computer.
