KINGMAN – In early May, Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Brutinel issued Administrative Order 2020-75, updated and replaced by Administrative Order 2020-79, providing Arizona’s courts and the public with direction on returning to in-court operations after limited operations in response to COVID-19. The Order includes direction for in-person proceedings, empaneling juries, limiting access to courthouses and courtrooms, implementing social distancing and using technology to continue court operations. Similar restrictions are currently in place in the Kingman Municipal Court.
Jeffrey Singer, Presiding Judge of the Kingman Municipal Court stated, “We’re wanting to make people feel safe when they come into the courthouse so for the time being masks or face coverings will be required. We’re also going to be limiting the number of people we have at the courthouse at one time so social distancing requirements will be in effect as well. Our goal is to have safe and efficient protocols in place at the courthouse moving forward.”
The public, staff and all who enter the Kingman Municipal Courthouse will need to bring and wear a protective face covering. The Court is authorized to take the steps needed locally, and consistent with health department guidelines, to ensure access to justice while reducing exposure to the spread of COVID-19. For those who do not have access to a mask or face covering the Kingman Municipal Court will be able to provide disposable masks while supplies last, but it is asking the public to provide their own if at all possible when entering the courthouse. For those who refuse to wear a mask or face covering at the courthouse they will be denied entry and thus may need to appear remotely at a court proceeding or have to make other arrangements.
As the Kingman Municipal Court expands in-person business, staff and the public will be required to wear personal protective equipment in certain situations and the court will require screening for illness. As a matter of public safety, particularly for those with fragile medical conditions, Arizona’s courts are authorized to prohibit entry to courthouses by those who do not meet the screening requirements. When the public is not permitted to attend a public court proceeding, the court is making arrangements to provide video or audio access, unless the proceedings are closed, meaning not open to the public.
For more information, see the Kingman Municipal Court’s website at http://cityofkingman.gov. Please feel free to review Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-79 located at www.azcourts.gov/Portals/22/admorder/Orders20/2020-79FINAL.pdf. The Administrative Office of the Courts also maintains a COVID-19 information page online at https://www.azcourts.gov/covid19/ and in Spanish at https://www.azcourts.gov/covid19/Covid-19-Information-and-Updates/COVID-19-español, with updates posted on the Arizona Supreme Court’s social media outlets, noted below.
