By rdnewsNOW staff

COVID-19 Response

Albertans asked to not visit courthouses during pandemic

Mar 24, 2020 | 2:16 PM

The COVID-19 world-wide health pandemic is forcing Alberta Courts to ask Albertans to stay away from the province’s court houses.

Given recent events, officials say the Courts are striving to maintain core court operations while safeguarding public health and safety. As a result, the Courts actions have been, and will continue to be guided by the advice of public health authorities.

In particular, Court operations have been significantly affected by the Premier of Alberta’s declaration on March 17 of a Public Health Emergency, by absenteeism due to self-isolation measures, child care issues and other circumstances and by the public’s need to ensure social distancing, avoid public gatherings and stay home where possible.

In response, each Court has made public announcements regarding steps taken to address current challenges.

That has included suspension of in-person hearings in certain circumstances. Certain cases have been, and will be, adjourned indefinitely or to a future date for hearing.

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Others will, until further notice, continue to be heard although on a much-reduced basis or in a different manner.

To protect the health and safety of the Courts’ staff, all court users and the community, the Courts ask that, until further notice, members of the public not visit the courthouses in this province.

Instead, only those persons necessary to court proceedings should attend at the courthouses. Those necessary are counsel, litigants and members of the media.

Traffic Courts are not operating. All fines should be paid online. Albertans are asked not to attend a courthouse to pay tickets or other fines.

While the pandemic has affected the manner in which the Courts operate, officials assure the public that the Courts will do what is necessary to maintain essential services and the rule of law.

The Courts are working with the government of Alberta to ensure business continuity for employees and operations in government that impact on the Courts. That includes arranging appearances via video or audio conference from local detention facilities.

The Courts will continue to monitor developments, with further information and announcements to be posted on the Courts’ website: www.albertacourts.ca.