But the court houses will remain open & functioning.
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Annapolis Md (KM) Court houses around Maryland are open, but will remain closed to the public through May 1st due to the Coronavirus Emergency. . That order was issued by Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera.
The order says the only exceptions include emergency matters such as domestic violence petitions, peace order petitions, family law emergencies, juvenile detention hearings and arrest warrants. All non-emergency matters such as jury trials have been postponed until May first.
Also as part of the judge’s order, all residential property foreclosures, foreclosures of the right to redeem residential property sold in a tax sale, residential evictions and residential evictions of property under levy or lien have been stayed. New or pending foreclosures and eviction will be accepted, but not processed at this time.
Consistent with the administrative order on the Implementation of Remote Electronic Participation in Judicial Proceedings and on Remote Administrative Hearings Held During the COVID-19 Emergency, courts throughout Maryland will continue to use various communications platforms for remote proceedings.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the Maryland Judiciary to take further action to protect court visitors and Judiciary personnel,” says Judge Barbera, in a statement. “The courts remain committed in this challenging time to ensuring the public’s justice needs are met to the extent possible during this public health emergency.”
By Kevin McManus