Courts to continue remote hearings
The use of video and remote hearings in courts across the state spurred by pandemic practices will continue after a judicial emergency order expires next week.
Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced Tuesday that courts may continue to conduct proceedings using video and other remote technology under emergency rules adopted in early 2020. This amendment extends that ability until June 30, 2022.
The order also allows any proceeding not specifically covered by the rule to be conducted via video conference as long as the judge and both parties consent.
Another factor within the rule is that the public must be given access to the remote hearings.
Floyd County has invested approximately $150,000 to update video equipment, said County Manager Jamie McCord.
The various courts have used video conferencing extensively while courts were limited to essential functions. Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John “Jack” Niedrach said that, going forward, local courts intend to continue to use the video conferencing for pretrial hearings and in some cases allow witnesses to testify during trials.
One of the most noticeable changes concerns people housed at the jail awaiting trial.
“It’s definitely been an advantage,” Floyd County Sheriff Dave Roberson said. “It’s been something that’s been a positive that has come out of the pandemic.”
At times deputies would have to transport 50 to 60 people from the jail to the courthouse in a single day, said Roberson, who in a previous role at the sheriff’s office was in charge
of courthouse security.
They’ve made adjustments at the jail, including upgrading some of their video technology and setting up video conferencing rooms for each of the courthouses at the jail.
It’s put more of a workload on the jail staff, but that has been evened out by lessened security concerns during transport and court hearings.