The Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas and all Magisterial District Courts of the 29th Judicial District remain closed to the public through May 15, 2020, except for essential functions.
A new Lycoming County Administrative Order dated April 27, 2020, extends the court closure from April 30, 2020, to May 15, 2020, to align with the statewide stay-at-home order and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The new Administrative Order confirms jury selection in Lycoming County scheduled for June 1-5, 2020, is cancelled with all jury trials scheduled for the trial term June through July being continued.
The Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas will continue to perform the following essential functions during the court closure:
a. Emergency bail review and habeas corpus hearings;
b. Gagnon 1 (probation/parole violation) hearings;
c. Bench warrant hearings pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 150;
d. Juvenile delinquency detention;
e. Juvenile emergency shelter and detention hearings;
f. Temporary protection from abuse hearings;
g. Emergency petitions for child custody or pursuant to any provision of the Juvenile Act;
h. Emergency petitions for guardianship;
i. Civil mental health reviews (50 P.S. § 7302);
j. Emergency equity civil matters (injunctions and stays); and
k. Any pleading or motion relating to public health concerns and involving immediate and irreparable harm.
Additionally, the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas will begin adding the following proceedings on a limited basis during the court closure:
l. Final protection from abuse, contempt, and modification;
m. Juvenile delinquency;
n. Custody;
o. Child and spousal support;
p. Guardianship of alleged incapacitated persons; and
q. Any other matters with minimal person-to-person contact.
Preliminary hearings, arraignments, guilty pleas, and sentencings for incarcerated defendants will continue to be held via advanced communication technology. To the extent non-essential matters can be handled via advanced communication technology, those matters will proceed as scheduled.
The filing of documents with regard to essential functions (those matters listed above) may be made via U.S. mail or via the “filing drop box” located in the lobby of the Lycoming County Courthouse. The document and filing fee (check or money order only) must be in a closed envelope addressed to the appropriate filing office and a self-addressed, prepaid envelope must be enclosed for the return of a receipt for payment of filing fees and time-stamped copy of the document. If proper payment is not included, the document will be returned to the sender unfiled. Additionally, the outside of the envelope must be clearly marked “Essential Function Filing.”
The filing of documents with regard to all non-essential functions (any matters not listed above) are strongly encouraged to be made via U.S. mail to the office of the Lycoming County Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts or Lycoming County Register and Recorder. If filing via U.S. mail is not possible, documents may be filed via the “filing drop box” located in the lobby of the Courthouse. The document and filing fee (check or money order only) must be in a closed envelope addressed to the appropriate filing office and a self-addressed, prepaid envelope must be enclosed for the return of a receipt for payment of filing fees and time-stamped copy of the document. If proper payment is not included, the document will be returned to the sender unfiled.
For more information with regard to filing of documents, individuals should contact ether the Lycoming County Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts or Lycoming County Register and Recorder offices.
Furthermore, the Lycoming County Magisterial District Courts will continue to perform the following essential functions during the court closure:
r. Preliminary arraignments (bail setting) for bailable cases;
s. Criminal case filings and subsequent processing;
t. Preliminary hearings for incarcerated persons only;
u. Issuance of search warrants; and
v. Emergency protection from abuse petitions.
The Magisterial District Courts will conduct as many of the essential function proceedings utilizing advanced communication technology in order to limit person-to-person contact. All non-essential function proceedings in the Magisterial District Courts will be continued to a date after May 15, 2020.
No in-person payments will be accepted in the Magisterial District Courts. Payments must be made online at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PayOnline.aspx or via U.S. mail.
The Magisterial District Courts will accept filings made via U.S. mail only.
Individuals on supervision with the Lycoming County Adult Probation or Juvenile Probation offices are not to report to these offices. Adult and Juvenile Probation Officers will supervise individuals in the field or via advanced communication technology. Those individuals under supervision who have questions should contact their assigned probation officer.
The Lycoming County Domestic Relations office will continue to take measures to limit the number of individuals reporting to its office. Those with questions should contact the Domestic Relations office for additional information.
Until further notice, the following safety measures are implemented with all in-person court proceedings:
a. Start times will be staggered and the time between proceedings will be increased to minimize person-to-person contact;
b. Only necessary and pre-authorized participants will be allowed entry to the Courts;
c. Participants including but not limited to litigants, defendants, attorneys, and witnesses will wear a facemask and practice social distancing in all areas of the Lycoming County Courthouse including but not limited to the courtrooms and waiting areas;
Until further notice, all Court visitors – including contractors and vendors – will be required to wear a facemask and practice social distancing. Court employees will also wear facemasks in common areas and when interacting with other individuals including the public.
Lycoming County Court contact information can be found at www.lyco.org.
The current events are fluid and continually subject to change as additional information becomes available. Anyone with questions should contact the Lycoming County Office of District Court Administrator at (570) 327-2330.
