Kentucky Supreme Court places restrictions on court activity statewide

FRANKFORT, Ky. – In an effort to minimize social interaction in Kentucky’s busy courthouses and judicial centers during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Supreme Court of Kentucky has placed restrictions on dockets, jury trials and jury service from March 16-April 10.

The Supreme Court approved additional amendments Tuesday to its administrative order. The new amendments included in Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-10, dated March 17 are:

1. Section 1 is amended to clarify that judges must use available telephonic and video technology for all necessary hearings, including but not limited to, arraignments and mental-health hearings.
2. Section 5 is amended to clarify that domestic violence advocates may attend court proceedings, but that no more than 20 people may be in the courtroom at any time unless the judge in his or her discretion deems it necessary and makes every effort to enforce appropriate distances between individuals.
3. Section 11 is amended to clarify that new juror orientations are suspended unless an exception is granted by the Chief Justice.
4. A new section, Section 13, has been added to clarify rules relating to grand juries: “The circuit court is authorized to extend the 60-day period in RCr 5.22(3) for a period not to exceed 45 days for good cause shown. The Commonwealth’s Attorney shall request an extension by separate motion as to each defendant and shall give prompt notice of the motion to defense counsel. The circuit court shall allow both the Commonwealth’s Attorney and defense counsel to be heard prior to entering any order extending the period in RCr 5.22(3).”
5. The final paragraph is amended to clarify that a courthouse may not be closed without prior authorization from the Chief Justice.

Ongoing court updates are on the COVID-19 and the Courts webpage.