The Kentucky Supreme Court entered two orders Thursday morning that provide further guidance on how the judicial branch can safely carry out court operations.
One of the orders allows criminal jury trials to resume after August 1, and civil jury trials to resume after October 1, if the trial judge determines in his or her discretion, after considering local public health conditions and the Supreme Court’s health and safety requirements, that it is advisable. The use of facial coverings during jury trials will be mandated for all parties, attorneys, witnesses, jurors and members of the public and the media.
It also allows all eviction actions to proceed effective August 1, subject to the requirements of the federal CARES Act. The order clarifies certain requirements for eviction actions that are subject to the CARES Act, including that landlords provide 30 days’ notice to vacate prior to filing an action for eviction and the prohibition against charging any fees, penalties or other charges that accrued during the effective dates of the CARES Act.
The other order clarifies that judges are responsible for ensuring appropriate social distancing and proper use of facial coverings in their courtrooms. It limits the hours during which the offices of circuit court clerk may be open to the public to allow circuit court clerks sufficient time to prepare for court dockets and other proceedings.
The order requires an appointment for any in-person driver’s license services and mandates remote renewal for any driver’s license that expires through September 30.
It also amends provisions on staffing at the local level to allow elected officials greater flexibility on in-person staffing based on certain factors, including the ability to maintain appropriate social distancing and divide staff into work teams.
Read the orders here.