Municipal Court makes changes amid pandemic

Lorain Municipal Court announced March 25 that it will institute several measures keep essential court functions operating, while observing social distancing requirements resulting from the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Municipal Courts typically have sessions with a large number of people.

In Lorain Municipal Court, those sessions are evictions, Traffic Court, Housing Court and Tax Court, according to a news release.

It is impossible to observe social distancing in those situations regarding COVID-19, the release said.

As a result, Municipal Court is implementing measures to ensure the safety of the public and Court staff.

First, the Court has initiated a 90- day moratorium on eviction cases for nonpayment of rent.

These hearings will be set no sooner than early July.

“The medical experts have indicated that, in Ohio, the coronavirus cases will peak in late April or early May,” said Municipal Judge Mark J. Mihok.

“The virus is expected to subside, and we believe it will be safe for larger numbers of people to come to Court.”

Evictions cases involving and allegation of domestic violence or criminal activity will be heard beginning April 6, which coincides with Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home policy, according to the release.

Traffic cases, housing docket cases and tax docket cases will be reset to July as well.

However, a call-in waiver process will be implemented to keep those cases moving.

“The waiver process will be more lenient to encourage people to take advantage of it,” said Judge Thomas J. Elwell Jr. “People can still can contest the case by entering a plea of not guilty, and the case will be set for a hearing in July.”

Clerk of Court Ted Kalo indicated, “The situation has been changing almost daily, and we are trying to keep things moving while observing social distancing.”