President Judge Patti-Worthington,  in consultation with and approval  of the 

B o a r d   o f   Judges, has authorized  the distribution  of this memo.  Effective 
immediately,  and until further  notice,  the Court has adopted  the following 
policies  and/ or restrictions:   

•  Court employees will not attend off-site conferences or trainings; 
•  Court  events/meetings  (as  distinguished  from  court  hearings, 

conferences,  etc.) will  be  rescheduled  or held virtually. 

When possible use email and electronic mediums to create, file and 
transmit documents and Court Orders; 

imit the numbers of persons in chambers and other meeting/conference 

rooms to comply with social distancing recommendations; 

  L

 

In addition to the above, the Court is implementing  the following 

strategies immediately,  and until  further  notice: 

•  The number of jurors  summoned will be  limited to a maximum of 90.  
That number will accommodate  2 panels of 45- or one large panel  per 
day- with jurors  sitting in  every  other  chair in either Courtroom “1” or 

Dear  Colleagues: 

Date:  March  13, 2020 

To:  Common  Pleas Judges,  Magisterial  District Judges, 
Court Departments,  Court-Related  Departments  and 
Court  Staff 

Subject: 

Public  Health  Emergency  Response -  Courts 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION 43RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE 610 MONROE STREET, SUITE 221 STROUDSBURG, PA 18360 (570) 517-3009 FAX (570) 517-3866      John J. Goldner         Kathy A. Sauter     District Court Administrator        Deputy Court Administrator –            Special Courts   Deborah Rivera            Deputy Court Administrator  

“3” with trial to commence immediately thereafter on a date certain.  The 
Court's priority of panel policy will be followed.  

•  Jury selection - specifically  general voir dire  - shall take  place  in 

Courtroom "1" or “3” to accommodate more space for the prospective 
jurors during the  selection  process.  This m a y   require  coordination 
among Judges-  switching courtrooms  for a day or a portion  of a day; 
 

•  Scheduling of  larger court lists (ARRAIGNMENT, DUI, PTC, 
JUVENILE CALL, etc.) will be "staggered" by the hour  (9 a.m., 
10:30 a.m., etc.)  to avoid  larger groups of litigants/attorneys in the 
courtrooms.   Scheduling will be adjusted  starting ASAP and no later than 
March 23(by scheduling notice), and earlier by conversations with the 
DA/PD; 

•  ARRAIGNMENTS- Waivers of arraignment will be accepted up until and including the day 

scheduled for formal arraignment and orders generated for subsequent appearances.  
Defendants who execute and file such waivers need not attend Court on that day. Those who 
will be entering the ARD program or who will enter a Plea at that time must attend. 

•  PRETRIAL CONFERENCES– All defendants are excused from pretrial conferences in 

criminal and DUI court commencing March 18, 2020 except those who will be entering a plea. 

•  NO PERSON IN CUSTODY will be transported to the courthouse for any proceeding absent 
an order from the Court.  All proceedings will be scheduled using advanced communication 
technology.  If a waiver is required and not received, the Court will determine what action to 
take and the case may be continued. 

•  All Judges are directed to conduct Gagnon and Parole Violation 

hearings for those in custody by advanced communication 
technology; 

•  Juvenile Court will stagger scheduling, and is reviewing alternative 

scheduling options such as video and telephonic proceedings;  

•  All MDJ  Offices will  be  directed  to implement  similar  strategies to 
minimize  exposure   (staggered   scheduling  recommendations,   money 
processing  policies,  etc.)  to  be  coordinated  through  MDJ Court 
Administration; 

•  DRO Establishment and Modification Conferences (only) will be 
held  by  telephone,  provided that  the  parties comply  with document 
presentation requirements prior to  the conference as required and in the 
manner determined by the Director of DRO. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By way of update, the following safety measures have been 

implemented throughout  the Courthouse  and  MDJ  Offices: 

ounty maintenance/housekeeping is sanitizing all door handles, light 
switches, counters, elevators, handrails etc. in the Courthouse nightly per 
the Court’s request; 

•  Sanitizer dispensers have been installed in the hallways near the  

elevators, and hand sanitizers have been placed in or near all 
courtrooms and hearing/ meeting rooms; 

The Court continues to work with the County to obtain additional 
supplies for each Court and Court-related office and is assured that 
those supplies are forthcoming. 

Thank you for your anticipated  patience  and  cooperation in this new and 
emerging situation.  Please  be reminded  that  events are  very  fluid and  are 
subject to  change  as  additional information becomes available. 

  C

          J

 

 

 

 

 

  

ohn J. Goldner 
District Court Administrator 

 

cc: 
Judges 
MDJ Court Administrator – Kathy Sauter 
Deputy Court Administrator – Debra Rivera 
Chief Probation Officer – Bernie Sikora 
DRO Director – Rachel Van Horn 
Board of Commissioners 
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  Monroe County Bar Association 
  Magisterial District Judges