Here is the text we could read:
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
IN RE: TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS
EMERGENCY ORDER NO. 2O2O-01
ON OPERATIONS OF THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL
DISTRICT DUE TO EXIGENT
CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY
covrD-19
ORDER
AND NOW, this n**of
March, 2O2O:
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has declared the existence of a
disaster emergency throughout the Commonwealth to address the threat posed by the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Govemor announced on March 14,2020, that he is expanding
COVID-l9 mitigation efforts to include Bucks County. An increased number of confirmed cases
of COVID-19 have been reported in Southeastern pennsylvania in recent days. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and State and local public health authorities have advised that
precautions be taken to avoid exposure to the virus and to prevent its spread, including
implementing social distancing measures such as avoiding large gatherings and refraining from
non-essential travel. These and other recent developments with regard to COVID-19 in Bucks
County and the surrounding counties adversely affect the Courts ability to obtain an adequate
complement of trial jurors from a fair cross-section of the community.
By Order dated March16,2o2o,the Pennsylvania Suprerne Court has authorized president
Judges to declare judicial emergencies in their judicial districts which this Court has done by Order
dated March 17,2020, attached hereto.
In light of these developments, and to protect public health, reduce the size of public
gatherings, and reduce unnecessary travel within this county, while allowing the Court to continue
to continue to perform its constitutional duties, the Court issues the following Order, effective
immediately:
1' All time calculations for the purposes of time computation relevant to court cases
or other judicial business, as well as time deadlines are suspended, subject to constitutional
restrictions.
2'
3'
Use of advanced communication technology to conduct court proceedings is
authorized, subject to constitutional limitations.
The Bucks County Court of Common Pleas will remain open in a limited capacity
subject to the following limitations.
7.
9.
matters.
4. All Grand Jury as well as all jury and non-jury trials, both criminal and civil are
suspended and will be rescheduled at a later date. Jurors shall not report for jury duty.
5. All matters scheduled on the criminal and civil trial lists and miscellaneous lists
including but not limited to arraignments and pretrial hearings (conferences) are cancelled pending
further notice from the Court.
6- Orphans' Court, Family Court, Non-Support and Family Masters matters will be
continued and re-scheduled at a later date.
Sheriff sales scheduled for the month of April are postponed and the issuance and
enforcement of writs of possession are suspended.
8.
The Court will continue to handle Protection from Abuse (PFA) and PFA Contempt
The Court will continue to handle bail matters, bench warrants and emergency
criminal matters by a designated criminal judge.
10. The Court will be available to handle civil and Orphans' Court emergency matters
which must be filed in person. Such emergencies shall include health and medical emergencies,
public safety and emergency guardianship appointments.
1 1. Juvenile Detention hearings and Shelter Care hearings held pursuant to 42 pa.CSA
Section 6332 wlll be held by the court as required under the law.
12. All hearings under the Mental Health Act held outside the Justice Center shall
continue as scheduled.
13' Temporary restrictions on the operations of the Magisterial District Courts of the
Seventh Judicial District are addressed in a separate emergency order.
14. All mass public gatherings, other than court proceedings, are SUSpENDED at the
Bucks County Justice Center at 100 North Main Street, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. This includes,
but is not limited to, group tours and visits, mbot courts and mock trials, bar group meetings and
seminars.
15. This Order will expire on April 14,2\2o,unless extended by further Court order.
BY THE COURT:
ateman Jr., P
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANTA
IN RE: SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT -
DECLARATION OF JUDICIAL :
EMERGENCY
: No.:
_M2020
DECLARATION
Per the Supreme Court's Order dated March 16,2O2O,I declare a judicial emergency in
the Seventh Judicial District for the following period: March 17,2O2O to April 14,2020.
The operation of Rule of Criminal Procedure 600 shall be suspended in the Seventh Judicial
D.istrict during the period of the local judicial emergency.
WALLACE H. BATEMAN, JR.,
PRESIDENT JUDGE
BUCKS COUNTY
DATED:
DISTRICT
17 1"4. L$
