Coronavirus FAQs
Coronavirus FAQs
As the global community deals with the outbreak of COVID-19, many businesses are limiting operations, shutting down, or requiring employees to work from home. In response to the pandemic, the Colorado Courts are reducing operations and taking efforts to help reduce in-person appearances. This article covers some frequently asked questions about court operations, hearings, and the handling of your legal matters.
What if I need to you reach you?
One Accord Legal is operating as normally as possible. I have a fully-equipped home office, so I am well-equipped to meet all of your legal needs during this time. As always, please telephone for urgent matters. You can also reach me via email or your secure client portal.
I will continue accepting appointments via my online scheduler (www.calendly.com/oneaccordlegal). Your appointment can be conducted via telephone or secure video conferencing by using Zoom.
Are the courts open?
Each county is handling court appearances differently. For now, here is a rundown by county:
Jefferson County: Attorneys should work to reschedule all hearings or to convert the hearings to telephone appearances to avoid the need to appear in person. All jury trials scheduled through May 1, 2020, will be rescheduled, with limited exceptions. For more information, contact your attorney. You can check if your matter has been rescheduled at this website by searching via your first and last name or case number: https://www.courts.state.co.us/dockets/
Arapahoe and Douglas Counties: The Arapahoe County courthouse in Littleton is closed through April 10, 2020. The clerk’s offices will remain open, but will only accept paper filings related to emergency matters. All other filings should be emailed or mailed to the courthouse. Except for emergency matters, judges are working to reschedule all hearings between March 19, 2020, and April 17, 2020.
Denver County: The court has reduced operations and staff to only provide essential services. Except for emergency matters, all in-person appearances will be rescheduled or converted to telephone conferences through May 15, 2020.
Denver County Court: Only in-custody matters are being held until further notice. In-custody matters will be heard in courtrooms 2100 and 2300 at the Van Cise-Simonet Detention Facility. Attorneys will appear remotely via Skype.
Adams County: Except for emergency matters, all hearings through May 1, 2020, should be rescheduled.
Colorado Court of Appeals: All oral arguments scheduled in March and April, 2020, will be rescheduled.
What about emergency matters?
Certain matters cannot be rescheduled, and are considered “public safety matters.” These include motions to restrict parenting time, shelter hearings in dependency and neglect cases, requests for protection orders, hearings for the initial setting of bail, and emergency mental health proceedings. For a complete list, please contact your attorney.
Under what circumstances should I not appear for court?
If we have a scheduled court appearance, you should notify me immediately and NOT attend if any of the following are true:
You have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not received a test confirming that you are virus-free.
You have been in direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
You have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or any other respiratory illness symptoms.
I am scheduled for mediation. What should I do?
Some mediators are providing video or telephone mediation sessions during this time. Before making any changes to mediation or other appointments, please touch base with me to discuss your options.
This article will be updated as additional information is available. If you have questions that have not been answered, please let me know. In these uncertain times, I’m here for you!
This post was written with the assistance of Jeff Weeden, criminal defense attorney. He can be reached at www.weedenlaw.com.