COVID-19 is bringing the wheels of justice in Warren County to a grinding halt.

President Judge Maureen Skerda has declared a judicial emergency in the 37th Judicial District – Warren and Forest counties – from March 18 through April 14.

The order indicates that “all court operations are limited to essential functions only at this time.”

That includes the following proceedings: “emergency legal matters, mental health reviews, bench warrants and detainer hearings, protection from abuse proceedings, emergency juvenile dependency and delinquency hearings, emergency guardianships, preliminary hearings for jailed defendants, preliminary arraignments, bail hearings and such other matters designated by the court.”

Further, all “hearings and conferences” scheduled between now and April 14 are also canceled.

The order also addresses access to the courthouses and district justice offices in both Warren and Forest counties.

That access “shall be limited exclusively to” elected officials, county commissioners, court employees, attorneys, parties to a case, subpoenaed witnesses or victims, jurors and members of the media.

General public access will be “restricted and limited to official and essential business that needs absolute immediate attention….”

Specific parameters are also established – no more than 10 pleas or pretrial conferences or eight sentences per hour – to facilitate “staggered increments.”

Most notably from a procedural perspective, both orders suspend requirements relative to Rule of Criminal Procedure 600 that addresses a defendant’s “right to a speedy trial.” That puts a hold on regulations that require a defendant to be brought to trial within a certain time period.

Skerda’s order also notes that “all presiding officials should encourage social distancing.”

Skerda’s order is in line with a state Supreme Court order also issued on Wednesday that included many of the same recommendations for courts throughout the Commonwealth.

The various court departments can be reached at the following phone numbers:

¯ Court/Court Administration: (814) 728-3530

¯ Adult Probation: (814) 728-3520

¯ Juvenile Probation: (814) 728-3500

¯ Court Hearing Office: (814) 728-3488

¯ Domestic Relations: (814) 728-3552

¯ Magisterial District Judge – 37-2-01 Raymond Zydonik: (814) 723-2260

¯ Magisterial District Judge – 37-3-01 Laura Bauer: (814) 723-6750

¯ Magisterial District Judge – 37-4-01 Todd Woodin: (814) 563-4682