Pennsylvania Supreme Court ends judicial emergency

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has issued an order to end the statewide judicial emergency on June 1. Local president judges, however, may keep restrictions in place where they deem necessary.

The order means that district, county and appeals courts mostly closed to the public and operating on a limited basis since March 19 can reopen on Monday.

The judicial emergency, part of the pandemic restrictions, brought a halt to all eviction hearings as well as jury trials in criminal and civil cases. The Supreme Court extended the order several times to continue the statewide judicial emergency through May 31.

During the statewide judicial emergency, the Supreme Court also suspended rules restricting the use of advanced communication technology to allow participation in proceedings while access to courthouses was limited.

President judges who declare a local judicial emergency after June 1 have been granted certain powers by the high court order. They may limit in-person access and proceedings to protect the health and safety of court staff, users and the public, and suspend jury trials until they can be held safely.

More information about the impact of covid-19 on court operations is available online at pacourts.us/ujs-coronavirus-information and on Twitter @PACourts.