March 12, 2020

The Judicial Branch today implemented various measures as a result of concern over the spread of the COVID-19/coronavirus and in recognition of the public health emergency declaration Governor Lamont issued. It is also important to note, in the clearest terms possible, that the courts of the State of Connecticut are open and will remain open.
These measures are:

Under the terms and provisions of the Judicial Branch’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), commencing Monday, March 16, 2020, and continuing through March 27, 2020, the courts will schedule and hear only those matters identified as “Priority 1 Business Functions.”

The following matters are Priority 1 Business Functions:

o Criminal arraignments and domestic violence arraignments;
o Juvenile detention hearings;
o Family orders of relief from abuse;
o Civil orders of relief from abuse
o Civil protection orders
o Ex parte motions
o Orders of temporary custody
o Orders to appear
o Emergency ex parte order of temporary custody
o Juvenile detention operations for detainees held for juvenile court
o Termination of parental rights
o Domestic violence victim notification
o Civil and family capias mittimus execution and bond reviews

With the exception of jury trials already in progress and criminal jury trials necessitated by the filing and granting of a speedy trial motion, all jury trials, civil and criminal, are suspended for the next 30 days.

Consistent with guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Connecticut Department of Public Health, these measures are being taken to reduce the number of people entering our courthouses in an effort to mitigate the potential for spreading of the virus.