Updated March 12th, 2021, originally posted May 27th, 2020
Community Stability
Updates from the City of Charlotte
The Mecklenburg County courthouse is open at a limited capacity and undertaking COVID-19 restriction.
Superior and District Court In-Person Proceedings Postponed: (December 14th) Chief Justice Cheri Beasley announced that beginning Monday, December 14th, all non-essential, in-person superior court and district court proceedings will be postponed for 30 days and will be rescheduled no sooner than January 14th, 2021, (e.g. foreclosures) unless:
- the proceeding will be conducted remotely;
- the proceeding is necessary to preserve the right to due process of law (e.g., a first appearance or bond hearing, the appointment of counsel for an indigent defendant, a probation hearing, a probable cause hearing, etc.);
- the proceeding is for the purpose of obtaining emergency relief (e.g., a domestic violence protection order, temporary restraining order, juvenile custody order, judicial consent to juvenile medical treatment order, civil commitment order, etc.)
- the senior resident superior court judge, chief business court judge, or chief district court judge determines that the proceeding can be conducted under conditions that protect the health and safety of all participants.
Learn more about the order here. Individuals should also look at their local court orders for further clarity. Counties are handling reopening and dockets differently; for example, some counties are deciding on a week-to-week basis whether to hear eviction proceedings.
Jury trials in Mecklenburg County will resume the week of November 16th. You should have received updated court dates or jury summons if applicable to your situation.
Mecklenburg County Courts will implement safety protocols to restrict the number of courts operating and the number of occupants in the courtrooms. Such protocols are necessary to ensure the safety of court personnel, court partners and the public.
Court docket sizes will be significantly reduced and Court partners and litigants should expect some delay in the scheduling of court matters.”
(April 3) N.C. Chief Justice Cherie Beasley issued an order postponing court cases to June 1.
Exceptions include:
- Domestic violence hearings for protective orders
- If the proceeding can be conducted remotely
- Cases where there is a constitutional or statutory right to an immediate hearing.
(March 16) North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cherie Beasley directed local courts to postpone most cases in district and superior court for at least 30 days beginning March 17, 2020. Exceptions include:
- Domestic violence hearings for protective orders
- Cases with trials already in progress
- Cases where there is a constitutional or statutory right to an immediate hearing.
Updated Mecklenburg County Courthouse Operations Schedule: (March 26) English Español
CATS Service: (March 25) CATS will make modifications to transit service to accommodate the current demand. By operating modified service, CATS will continue providing the community access to essential daily needs, front-line jobs and medical services. These changes are effective until further notice. Read more.
Unemployment Insurance Executive Order: (March 17) N.C. Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order to expand unemployment benefits for workers impacted by COVID-19. The order lifts some restrictions on unemployment benefits to help workers unemployed due to COVID-19 and those who are employed but will not receive a paycheck. Additionally, it adds benefit eligibility for those out of work because they have the virus or must care for someone who is sick.
For example, workers who lose income due to tips or scheduled work hours, but are still employed, would be eligible for benefits because of this Executive Order. Among other changes:
- It removes the one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment payment for those workers who lose their jobs;
- It removes the requirement that a person must be actively looking for another job during this time when many potential employers are closed and social distancing guidelines are in effect. However, this work requirement was reinstated for those who initially apply for unemployment after March 14th, 2021
- It allows employees who lose their jobs or, in certain cases have their hours reduced due to Covid-19 to apply for unemployment benefits.
- It directs that employers will not be held responsible for benefits paid as a direct result of these COVID-19 claims.
- It waives the requirement that people must apply for benefits in person; workers can apply for benefits online or by phone.
Mecklenburg Clerk of Court Adjusts Hours: (March 16) The Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office will reduce hours of operation and staff availability. They will be open to the public Monday through Friday, between 9 am and noon. This scheduled change will be in effect for at least the next 30 days. Read more.