Judges this week temporarily suspended jury trials and grand jury proceedings in Lumpkin, Towns, Union and White counties due to COVID-19.
Enotah Judicial Circuit Court judges Raymond George, Joy Parks, and T. Buckley Levins declared a Judicial/Medical Emergency on September 13. They suspended jury trials and grand jury proceedings for 30 days based on information provided to them by healthcare authorities.
According to the judges’ order, all three hospitals in the circuit, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lumpkin, Chatuge Regional, and Union General Hospital, “currently are operating at near total capacity; at capacity; or may be operating beyond their capacity for admitted patients.”
READ full Judicial/Medical Emergency order
When the order was issued, the 46-bed Union General Hospital was treating 72 inpatients, all of Chatuge Regional Hospital’s 25 beds were full, and 33 of the 40 beds at NGMC Lumpkin were full with one emergency patient awaiting a bed.
The judges also cited Northeast Georgia Health System data showing that the system was operating at or near 78% ventilator usage as of September 13.
“Likewise, upon information and belief this Court is aware that all county jails have experienced numerous inmates with positive COVID-19 test results,” the order states.
“It is evident that COVID-19(D) [delta variant] is aggressively contagious and is causing individuals within these communities to experience rising levels of illness.”
The Enotah Circuit continues to operate under a July order granting relief from statutory speedy trial requirements in all four Northeast Georgia counties.
Mask mandates and other mitigation measures
In addition to suspending certain court proceedings, the Enotah Circuit judges issued a mask mandate for courthouses in Lumpkin, Towns, Union and White counties. They encourage holding virtual proceedings when feasible and staggering court calendars to limit the number of people in courtrooms.
Anyone entering a courthouse in an Enotah Circuit county must undergo a temperature check.
Temperature checks and masks are also required in courthouses in the Mountain Judicial Circuit. However, the Mountain Circuit, which includes Habersham, Rabun, and Stephens counties, has not suspended in-person proceedings, according to Habersham County Clerk of Court David Wall.
Justices George, Parks, and Levins say they may extend their emergency order beyond 30 days as allowed by law “if the current medical situation continues.”
The COVID surge is also impacting White County Traffic Court. According to WRWH News, White County Probate Court Judge Don Ferguson postponed the October 6 and 7 court dates until November 10 due to current COVID conditions.
WRWH News contributed to this report
