May 27, 2020
CONTACT: Lindsey Wiles
Communications Manager
lwiles@mariettaga.gov
770.794.5509
MARIETTA – Beginning on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, the Marietta Municipal Court will initiate the gradual expansion of court operations.
In conjunction with Georgia Supreme Court Justice Harold Melton’s “Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency, issued 5/11/20” and Marietta Municipal Court Chief Judge Roger J. Rozen’s “Order Declaring Judicial Emergency And Adoption of Council of Municipal Court Judges Of Georgia’s Best Practices and Guidelines for Operation Of Municipal Court During the COVID-19 Recovery (read more)”, issued 5/26/2020, the Marietta Municipal Court will resume non-jury court operations in a new modified sense. These best practices include considering the most specific current guidance provided by the CDC, the Georgia Department of Public Health and local health departments.
Based on the Georgia Supreme Court order and Municipal Court order, court sessions will resume beginning Tuesday, June 2, 2020 but has reduced the number of cases scheduled from 150 to 38 per session to ensure individuals are seated 6 feet apart while in the courtroom through June 30th unless extended through additional court orders. The court will be implementing protective measures for visitors and staff by having the courtroom sanitized between sessions, providing hand sanitizing stations, dedicated entry and exit doors, queue lines with floor markings to maintain 6 foot distancing while guiding individuals through health screening followed by normal security screening protocols before entry into the courtroom.
A brief health screening will be conducted upon entry into the building to include temperature reading with a touchless thermometer, and a series of questions. Under the following situations will individuals be given another court date:
If their temperature is 100.4 or higher.
If they or a member of their household is immune compromised.
If within the last 14-days the individual or someone in the household has experienced COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting test results or they have traveled to or from areas where COVID-19 is particularly active.
If desired by the individual, a new court date will be provided if they are age 65 or older or if they appear with children due to no childcare.
Upon entry to the courtroom, individuals will be provided with a care package containing a new ink pen, gloves and forms that may be needed during their court appearance. The care package will also contain a specific seat number assigned to the visitor to ensure they feel comfortable in knowing their specific seat should not be occupied by others in the event they need to move about the courtroom during the court process. The court strongly encourages visitors to provide their own face mask or cloth covering but will have masks available. Masks or face coverings will be required to enter the court room.
Customers still have access to a drive thru window which is available for payments and to process continuances to another court day.