For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Contact: Patricia Gabel, Esq., Vermont State Court Administrator
Office of the State Court Administrator
Patricia.Gabel@vermont.gov
Vermont Supreme Court Makes Additional Declarations Regarding Judicial Emergency
Action taken in response to the rising incidence of COVID-19 throughout Vermont
Montpelier, VT - On December 22, 2020, the Vermont Supreme Court made further declarations regarding the Judicial Emergency that was declared on March 16, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its latest amendment, the Court has revised the original Order to make remote hearings mandatory, with limited exceptions. Previously, remote hearings were urged to be held “to the maximum extent possible.” The requirement to hold hearings remotely does not apply to jury trials, and courts may still hold partial or full in-person hearings upon a finding of good cause to do so.
An additional Explanatory Note summarizes the reasons the Court is adopting this new requirement and provides details regarding exceptions and related matters.
“The dynamic nature of the pandemic requires the Judiciary to continually assess its operations and adapt accordingly,” said State Court Administrator Patricia Gabel. “This revision to the Court’s Order, like those before it, is designed to ensure continuity of operations in the context of the latest guidance from public health experts.” Gabel also noted that additional changes to court operations and policies are expected in the weeks ahead, including those related to access by the public to remote hearings in Vermont’s courts.
Read the full Order and get other information about the Judiciary’s response to COVID-19 at www.vermontjudiciary.org/COVID19.
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