As the Judicial Emergency is slowly lifted and people get vaccinated , the courts are starting to tackle the tremendous backlogs that will plague our justice system for years to come . Although most courts never really closed , getting back to normal court proceedings will be a slow process . Here is what different courts around the metro area are doing moving forward .

CHEROKEE SUPERIOR COURT : We are still conducting the majority of our business remotely . We resumed grand jury proceedings in February , using the jury assembly room instead of the grand jury room in order to allow everyone to maintain social distancing . We resumed jury trials in March , which are limited to one specially adapted courtroom ( Judge Jordan ’ s ). We are hoping to expand in-person proceedings and jury trials by the end of the summer . So far we have held two State Court trial weeks and one in Superior Court , and we commenced a second Superior Court calendar mid-April . These are only criminal cases , and they have gone smoothly .

- Chief Judge Ellen McElyea

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a QR Code on their phone before entering the building , as well as complete an on-line questionnaire . Individuals are notified on their device via text message when it is safe for them to enter the building . All of this is done manually for those without a cell phone . Calendars are limited to 20 positions , and at no time are there more than three active courtrooms . Everyone must wear masks and have their temperature scanned . The in-custody / jail calendar is conducted virtually , and there is an option to handle traffic matters virtually for those who

12 April / May 2021