Emergency Matters
72 Hour Hearings
The
recent Standing Order OE-144 has closed courthouses off to the public other
than for emergency situations. This order goes into effect May 4, 2020 and will
be in effect until at least June 1, 2020.
This
can be applied to 72 hour hearings under care and protection matters. According
to Mass.gov, if the judge grants temporary
custody to DCF, the hearing will be held virtually. However, if the parties
agree to waive the 72 hour time period, they may meet in person after the order
is no longer in effect.
CRA
The
recent Standing Order OE-144 has closed courthouses off to the public other
than for emergency situations. This order goes into effect May 4, 2020 and will
be in effect until at least June 1, 2020.
This can be applied to cases of Children Requiring Assistance (CRA). The order states, according to Mass.gov, that the courts will attempt to provide the parents of a runaway child with the application without the parent appearing in person at court. Once the application has been completed and filed by the court, the preliminary hearing will be scheduled virtually.
Arraignments
The recent Standing Order OE-144 has closed courthouses off to the public other than for emergency situations. This order goes into effect May 4, 2020 and will be in effect until at least June 1, 2020.
This
can be applied to juvenile arraignments. Mass.gov states that all juvenile arraignment cases in which the
person has been arrested or detained by the DYS will be conducted virtually.
Harassment Prevention
The
recent Standing Order OE-144 has closed courthouses off to the public other
than for emergency situations. This order goes into effect May 4, 2020 and will
be in effect until at least June 1, 2020.
This
can be applied to harassment prevention orders. According to Mass.gov, hearings for these orders will be
held virtually. All emergency protection orders issued to expire after March
16, 2020 will remain in effect until rescheduled/heard by the court.
Any
orders that were issued before March 16, 2020 with a hearing scheduled between
May 4 and June 1 will remain in effect until rescheduled/heard by the court,
unless the court orders to terminate at an earlier date.
