ASHLAND — The Ashland Municipal Court will remain open with limited access to protect the community and building staff from the spread of COVID-19, according to an announcement by Judge John Good Thursday afternoon.
In a video posted to the City of Ashland’s Facebook page, Mayor Matt Miller, finance director Larry Paxton and Judge Good shared this and other temporary changes to City of Ashland services.
“As long as I can control it the court will remain open,” Good said “We have, however, had to make some changes in order to address legitimate public safety concerns.”
The most notable change is a limitation of the number of people who can be at the court at one time. Spectators or other people who do not have personal business with the court will not be allowed to enter the courtroom or the lobby of the court until further notice. Good hopes this restriction could be lifted in May.
Those with “business with the court” may include victims, defendants, attorneys and law enforcement.
During this time, all jury trials have been or will be postponed until June or July. Anyone who received notice of jury duty in April or May for the Ashland Municipal Court does not need to report, Good said.
Those with a case in the court who are concerned about COVID-19 and their wellbeing by being in the courtroom prior to April 30 are encouraged to call the court for a rescheduled date in June or July.
Those without concerns should still plan to attend. The court will, as of Thursday, remain open.
“If you don’t want to postpone, we’ll continue,” Good said.
Options to pay fines and view cases are available at ashlandmunicourt.com.
Further, regular updates will be posted to the court’s website. Those with questions or concerns should call (419) 289-8137.
