The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
City Hall, muni court closing to public
Lorain City Hall will close to the public at the end of the day Nov. 23 because of the rising number of novel coronavirus pandemic cases, according to a ruling from city SafetyService Director Sanford Washington.
“With the safety of our employees and the general public in question based on exposure to the pandemic episode, the administration has been reviewing access to City Hall,” Washington said.
With the spiking number of cases of COVID-19, public access will close after 11:59 p.m., Nov. 23, he said.
The city administration will review the decision as more information becomes available from Lorain County Public Health and state and federal agencies, Washington said.
City Hall is at 200 W. Erie Ave., with Lorain Municipal Court occupying the second floor of the building.
Lorain Munic i pal Court Administrator Scott Stewart also published instructions for those scheduled for hearings with Judge Thomas J. Elwell Jr. or Judge Mark J. Mihok.
Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the court will eliminate most in-person court hearings, effective Nov. 23.
All pending criminal and traffic cases will be rescheduled, and the court will send a notice to each defendant advising of the new court date and the manner in which the case will be heard.
If a person fails to receive such notice, he or she should call Clerk of Courts Ted Kalo’s Office at 440-240-2140 or check the status of their case online at www.public.lorainmunicourt.org.
If anyone wishes to bond an individual out of jail, they can call 440-2042840 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to schedule an appointment or for after-hours bonding through any bondsperson who previously has registered with the Lorain Clerk of Court’s Office.
Traffic offenders still will have the option to waive their tickets by calling 440-204-2140 or online at www.lorainpayments.com.
Individuals with civil cases or those intending to file a civil case can inquire with the Clerk of Courts at 440-204-2926.
The Clerk of Courts will install a drop box outside of the main entrance of City Hall for payment of fines during normal business hours.
That office has added three new call-in “payment hotlines” to accommodate those wishing to pay by phone.
Those numbers are 440204-2836, 440-204-2847 or 440-204-2841.
Effective Nov. 30, the court will begin implementing a process whereby arraignments for new cases will be conducted virtually.
The court’s plan is to have all arraignments heard virtually by Dec. 7.
Anyone with questions about this new process, can call Elwell’s office at 440-204-2150 or Mihok’s office at 440-204-2161.
Eviction hearings will continue in-person on their currently scheduled dates.
Masking, social distancing and hygiene rules will be strictly enforced.
The judges and clerk of courts emphasized the procedures are subject to change as circumstances change and the court will keep the general public advised of same.