Holmes County courts continue to function

The Holmes County Courthouse is still hosting people who perform necessary legal duties.

But the functions going on there have changed.

The Duncan Theater in Killbuck has been changed into a courtroom, and 50 people can easily be separated there, Judge Robert Rinfret of the general and domestic relations division of the courts said.

The setup at the Duncan Theater means lawyers can question potential jury members, all appropriately distanced. And during the process there, “They never leave,” Rinfret said. “Screens are there where lawyers argue motions.”

Tables are placed in the area so lawyers can face jurors, and Rinfret sits in an area behind everybody.

“A bailiff takes them to the restroom and back,” Rinfret said. “They are tested every day for their temperature.”

In the regular courthouse, the third floor is totally restricted, Rinfret said.

Items can be filed at a security desk. “No one is up here at all,” Rinfret said, referring to the third floor.

Screens are placed in appropriate locations to provide protection.

The website for the Holmes County Courts has a listing of how procedures will be handled. It says things can be open, closed with restrictions or just closed.

The site says people participating in grand jury proceedings will be using the county attorney’s office.

Rinfret said that has not happened because that office probably could not provide adequate spacing for grand jury proceedings.

The courts make use of Zoom. Lawyers are informed about how to get access to Zoom.

In one proceeding Zoom was used to contact a participant who was in Virginia, Rinfret said.

The court dockets are moving along as people make use of emails and fax to handle some matters.

Judge Thomas Lee handles juvenile and probate matters. Very few jurors are required in cases he handles.

The municipal judge is Andrew Hyde. His office, which is small, is in the basement.

Rinfret said, “We have had people affected: probation officers, two staff, an assignment clerk and a bailiff. Clerks hardly deal with people. Deputies wear masks. People are checked for their temperature and asked about COVID.”

If a person says he or she might have had symptoms, they’re checked out, Rinfret said.

Rinfret said the Duncan Theater is rented by the day for court procedures, but the prosecuting attorney’s office pays the rental.

The theater, which has been refurbished, has been used to show matinees at no cost to customers. Donations are accepted.