Erie County Courthouse set to reopen June 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa J. Dixon
mdixon@eriecountypa.gov
814-812-0089
Erie, PA – The Erie County Courthouse has taken a number of precautions to ensure the safety of court employees, attorneys and the public in anticipation of reopening on June 1.
Steps taken include:
- Marked spaces in the public areas as well as in the individual courtrooms to delineate safe distancing
- Plexiglas installation in areas where social distancing may be more difficult
- Increased number of hand sanitizer stations
- All visitors to the courthouse will be required to wear masks
- Hearings will be scheduled in a staggered fashion to limit overcrowding in the courthouse
- To limit the number of people in individual courtrooms, hearings will be restricted to necessary parties and counsel.
- The use of video and telephone conferencing will remain available and its use will be strongly encouraged.
- Each individual department has implemented specific practices and procedures to ensure safety and sanitation.
Please contact the individual department and/or Court Administration if there are specific questions.
At this time, the public defender’s office is closed to the public due to restrictions, but applications are available by calling 814-451-6322, visiting eriecountypa.gov or by emailing publicdefender@eriecountypa.gov.
“The key goal is to ensure the courthouse is a safe and healthy environment for all who enter the facility,” said Gary Lee, director of administration for the County of Erie. “We would like to encourage the public to continue using other options in transacting business activities at the courthouse, such as submitting forms and documents electronically, or via U.S. mail or other carrier services. In reopening the courthouse, I am requesting the general public be patient as we work through the new policies and procedures.”
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