On March 9, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency in Ohio, empowering state agencies “to develop and implement procedures” to “prevent or alleviate” the threat posed by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The threat has had a direct impact on our local court systems. For example, on March 13, 2020, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas issued an order postponing certain criminal and civil jury trials scheduled between March 13, 2020 and April 13, 2020 to a future date. Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, like other courts, is relying heavily on technology to minimize physical appearances in courthouses. You can find how your local courthouse is adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic here.
Crucial case deadlines (like statutes of limitations) are unaffected by the current emergency. On 03/13/2020, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor wrote to other Ohio judges that she did “not find it necessary at this time” for the Supreme Court to issue an order preventing statutes of limitations, among other things, from beginning to run. (See our site for a discussion of statutes of limitations.) If you think you have a personal injury or medical malpractice case, call us at 614-LAW-FIRM to ensure your rights are protected.
For the most up-to-date resources on this issue, visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s Coronavirus resource page.
