Court Operations Notice from the 31st Circuit

Message from the Judges of the 31^st Judicial Circuit

Unless you have had your head in the sand, you are aware the Greene County Circuit Court has been operating within the guidelines prescribed by the Missouri Supreme Court in their Order dated April 17, 2020.  Those guidelines suspended in-person court proceedings through May 15, 2020, subject to enumerated exceptions.  Trial courts were encouraged to make use of teleconference and video conference as much as possible.  That has been done. 

On May 4, 2020, the Supreme Court issued an Order and “Operational Directives” guiding our return to normal court operations.  The Order is available for you to read at this link, but in general it sets forth four Operational Phases, numbered 0-3. We are currently in “Operating Phase Zero” and each successive phase moves us closer to normal court operations.

Each of the phases have both a general and specific description of court activities that may be conducted.  There are limitations as to case types, number of persons in the courtrooms, number of persons in common areas, distancing requirements etc.  Each phase must last a minimum of 14 days.

The Court may only move from one phase to the next by complying with certain Gateway Criteria.  Many of those criteria are specific to our community with regard to number of COVID-19 cases, available medical facilities, COVID statistics in relation to population density and City/County stay-at-home orders. The Presiding Judge must certify to the Supreme Court compliance with the criteria before the Court can progress from one phase to the next.

If all goes as planned and hoped, and the community continues to show improvement and recovery, the Greene County Circuit Court expects to certify compliance with the criteria and move from Phase Zero to Phase One on May 16, 2020. Thereafter, we will move through the phases as quickly as possible, consistent with local conditions and the genuine desire for the court to be a safe place for employees, lawyers, parties, and witnesses.  If it should come to pass that the community conditions deteriorate in the future, the Court might be called upon to move back a phase.  We certainly hope that does not occur.  You may expect that we will keep the bar informed of these transitions as promptly as possible, but at this time we wanted to make you generally aware that there is a plan and procedure in place.

The Judges and Commissioners of the Greene County Circuit Court have very much appreciated the universal cooperation and patience of persons with business before the court.  We look forward to that continuing as we move ahead.

Best regards to all.  Stay healthy!