Court Issues Directions for More Remote Appearances

From the McHenry County Circuit Court:

22nd Circuit Furthers Use of Remote Appearances

The 22nd Judicial Circuit continues to operate during the Coronavirus pandemic with safety measures in place for the protection of the people who enter the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center.

The seal of the 22nd Circuit Court.

The Circuit Court, Circuit Clerk, Court Administration and the Sheriff’s
Department continually evaluate the best available options to provide safe and meaningful access to justice while also considering the value of in-person court appearances and resolution through plea, settlement, or trial.

The circuit court recognizes certain cases must see finality on a timely basis, but that with the corona virus, finality must be achieved in a safe manner for the benefit of all.

Taking these factors into account, the Chief Judge along with all judges of the 22nd circuit will implement the changes set forth below.

Traffic Court (Courtroom 102)

Effective December 1, 2020, all appearances in Traffic Court (Courtroom 102) will be held remotely using Zoom except for bench trials.

Remote Traffic Court opens at 8:30am and 1:30pm daily.

The Zoom link to Courtroom 102 is: https://zoom.us/my/mchenrycourtroom102.

Traffic Court bench trials will still be held in person.

Litigants must appear in person for traffic offense bench trials that are scheduled daily at 10am and 3pm.

Family Division (Courtrooms 359, 360, 361, and 365)

Additionally, effective December 1, 2020, any pending matters or matters to be scheduled in Courtrooms 359 (Judge Hansen), 360 (Judge Hirsch), 361 (Judge Facchini) and 365 (Judge Zalud) shall be heard remotely via Zoom.

Pleadings filed as an emergency may be presented remotely or
in person but litigants are strongly encouraged to appear remotely.

Additional information regarding remote court appearances can be found on the McHenry County Circuit Clerk of the Courts website at:

https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/county-government/departments-a-i/circuit-clerk/virtual-courtroom-information

Orders of protection may be addressed in person or remotely via Zoom. Information about obtaining an order of protection, including the steps for using Zoom, are available at:

https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/county-government/departments-a-i/circuit-clerk/civil-information/orders-of-protection

Criminal Division (Courtrooms 104, 301, and 303)

Effective November 30, 2020 through December 31, 2020, all cases assigned to Courtrooms 104, 301 and 303 set for status, plea, or hearing on a petition to revoke, shall be continued to a new date set by the court.

The in-court appearance of the defendant and defense counsel is waived from November 30 through December 31, 2020.

However, appearance may be made on those dates via Zoom for courtrooms using Zoom.

Defendants and their counsel shall be responsible for learning their new court date.

Court dates may be accessed at the circuit clerk’s website:

https://caseinfo.mchenrycountyil.gov/pca.

Cases set for bench trial or evidentiary hearing (excluding hearing on a petition to revoke) shall proceed as previously scheduled.

In-person court appearances are required.

The rules and procedures for cases and courtrooms not mentioned above remain the same, including the procedures adopted during this pandemic. Each judge in each courtroom will continue to consider how to best manage their proceedings in a safe and efficient manner.

This continues to be an unprecedented time for all of us including the judicial branch of government.

However, through the collaborative efforts of many people, departments and agencies, the 22nd Judicial Circuit continues to provide access to justice during this time of crisis.


Comments

Court Issues Directions for More Remote Appearances — 10 Comments

  1. I’ve never seen a certain felony case involving attempted child abduction and fighting with the police and a hit and run, all in the same case, get so many continuances to simply set a Trial Date in my life—why are they so easily granted and potential victims waiting so long for justice?

    Get with it Cowlin, quit having your judges go so easy on granting continuances—if lawyers cant get their act together for a year and a half, then its simply stalling.

    This new stuff just makes it easier to come with a “Covid” related reason for just another continuance.

  2. Bob Wire and Confederate Please come to the courthouse, have everyone breath on you.

    Maybe it will work you and you can get a severe case of Covid.

  3. I really don’t want to listen to Bob Wire whine when they have quick trial dates where the state loses.

    So let’s leave it like it is.

  4. StevieB, ever since you bought that talking fake mounted fish from the Lutheran second hand shop in CL, you think you know everything.

  5. Tell us how many cases of COVID and COVID deaths you’ve had at the McHenry County jail, fearmonger-dude StevieB.

    Go ahead. Tell us how scary it is! I’m sure the numbers are harrowing…

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