In an effort to restrict COVID-19 exposure within the courts, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court announced Wednesday that all Pennsylvania courts including trial and intermediate appellate courts are closed to the public for non-essential functions through at least April 3.
The statewide court closure also includes magisterial district courts, Philadelphia Municipal Court, and Pittsburgh Municipal Court, Arraignment Division.
The Court has suspended all time calculations and deadlines relevant to court cases or other judicial business through April 3. The Court has also authorized and encouraged the use of advanced communication technology to conduct emergency court proceedings.
In the Courts of Common Pleas, the Order outlines essential functions as:
- Emergency bail review and habeas corpus hearings;
- Gagnon 1 hearings;
- Bench warrant hearings pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 150;
- Juvenile delinquency detention;
- Juvenile emergency shelter and detention hearings;
- Temporary protection from abuse hearings;
- Emergency petitions for child custody;
- Emergency petitions for guardianship;
- Civil mental health reviews (50 P.S. §302)
- Any pleadings or motions relating to public health concerns and involving immediate and irreparable harm; and
- Any other function deemed by a president judge to be essential consistent with constitutional requirements.
In addition, court calendars, scheduling notices, subpoenas or other court orders compelling appearance by any attorney, litigant or other participant in non-essential cases are continued or postponed until further order.
Except for ongoing trials, jury and non-jury trials (both criminal and civil) are suspended and jurors do not need to report for duty on or before April 3, 2020.
The Court’s Order also directs that, during the period of judicial emergency, no eviction, ejectment or other displacement from a residence based on failure to make payment can be made.
