Almost all businesses, organizations, and government offices have shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the country, people from many different types of jobs have been having to conduct their business online — including the court systems.
So when the courts finally do reopen, what can we expect to see?
While it’s hard to predict anything about the closing and reopening of the U.S., there are some certainties regarding what will happen once the courts reopen here in New Orleans.
More restrictions
We will certainly see more restrictions within the courts once everything reopens:
- Social distancing. Security will be reminding everyone to keep safe distances of 6 feet from each other at all times.
- As few people in court as possible. Traffic court typically packed in 100 people per day, but will now probably go to about 30.
- Everyone will be required to wear masks.
- People turned away with any signs of illness, especially people with a fever.
More hold-ups
Because of some of these restrictions, and because of the delays caused by the pandemic in general, we can also expect more delays and hold-ups in the court system.
- Long wait times. Because of limited staff and a 75% reduction in the number of people in court buildings, wait times will be longer than normal.
Extended court dates into next year. In the case of traffic court mentioned above, it could mean that 1 in 4 court dates will be pushed back, slowing down the court process significantly.
Is there a better way to deal with court proceedings?
Once everything opens back up, there may be people who are asymptomatic walking around carrying the virus unwittingly.
Ask yourself — do you really want to go to court yourself and risk your health?
Call Crescent City Law to help you with your case instead — even if that case is coronavirus-related. At Crescent City Law, we provide personalized service to our clients for their traffic and expungement needs.
In fact, we go to court FOR YOU, getting your traffic ticket dismissed or your record expunged, and providing you with the results within 24 hours of the court date.
