IN THE PROFESSION
Judge Tangela Barrie believes virtual hearings will continue on a court-by-court basis . Zoom hearings are appropriate in some cases , depending on the subject matter and the parties involved . For example , a lawyer who often participates in virtual hearings will be more efficient on Zoom than will a pro se party attending his first hearing . Judge Barrie enjoys virtual hearings and will continue them with the consent of the parties .
Superior Court judges – What is the average amount of time it takes to schedule a Zoom hearing after the request ?
Judge Barrie evaluates hearings on a case-by-case basis . She tries to schedule temporary hearings as soon as possible when requested . She will hear a case at 8:30 am if necessary . Mediators are available on Zoom , making it easier to send cases to mediation .
Judge Shondeana Morris is a huge fan of Zoom status conferences for civil and criminal cases . She believes Zoom is here to stay , but some procedures must be done in person . Zoom allows her to manage domestic cases more effectively , and conduct proceedings at non-traditional hours .
Magistrate Court judges – have you seen in increase in evictions and foreclosures ?
Judge Berryl Anderson has seen an increase because Magistrate Court is still 100 % virtual at this time . Zoom has opened the floodgates for access . Previously , individuals would have to go to the courthouse during business hours ; now individuals may submit evictions and foreclosures 24 / 7 . Magistrate Court has brought in additional judges to manage the increase . Magistrate Court will be a hybrid court in the future .
Judge Nora Polk has seen a large increase in dispossessory cases . In 2021 , they saw more than 21,000 dispossessory cases . On a weekly basis , they hold 11 calendars , processing 20-50 cases per calendar . DeKalb County began a tenant-landlord assistance coalition , which has helped more than 2,500 families and receives about $ 1 million per week in funds .
The Honorable Wayne Purdom believes the slowdown of collection cases going to judgment due to COVID-19 has passed . The court has a large criminal backlog , but most cases will settle before trial . On the civil side , the court has not made much progress with the cases that require week-long trials . He did not have a backlog when he joined the bench , and now he has a substantial one . He believes that motion practice will continue over Zoom . However , a guilty plea does not have the same impact over video conference that it does in person .
Judge Morris added that Superior Court jury trials resumed in June 2021 . All Superior Court judges have heard a jury trial , and they ensure the safety of all persons who appear . They take many safety precautions – testing when coming into the courtroom , questioning about symptoms and recent travel , and plexiglass in courtrooms . The plan in 2022 is to have limited jury trials – civil , domestic , and criminal .
Judge Barrie has had multiple jury trials . They use another courtroom to hold the jurors . She asks each juror if they are comfortable with the situation , and she has had one juror say no in five trials . She will release anyone who is not comfortable .
What can we expect with bankruptcy filings in 2022 caused by a triggering event in State Court ?
As soon as the judges are notified that there is a federal bankruptcy pending , the case is stayed .
How is DeKalb conducting voir dire ?
Judge Kimberly Anderson states that state court has mainly done voir dire in person . Judge Jacobs has done virtual voir dire . They use a church facility for more space , and strike jurors there . State court does not require as many potential jurors as superior court . In 2022 , state court will start having longer trials . Currently , the default for criminal cases is in-person , and the default
However , a guilty plea does not have the same impact over video conference that it does in person .
for civil is virtual .
Judge Purdom can typically conduct three trials per week .
Magistrate Court judges – what is the biggest hurdle magistrate court has overcome and how did you overcome it ?
Judge Matthew McCoyd is the supervising judge over the criminal division of magistrate court . They are currently conducting everything through Zoom , running roughly 96 calendars a week . All persons accused of a felony have preliminary hearings , which were suspended during the judicial emergency . There was initially a three to four-month backlog , and now it is one month . There has been at least a 10 % increase in arrest warrants .
Judge Polk explained that some of the functions within magistrate court never stopped during COVID-19 because they are essential ( e . g ., protective orders ). Before
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