Changes put in place to increase safety of court participants, employees
 

Vancouver, Wash. – The Superior Court on Monday, March 23 issued General Order 20-11 Emergency Civil Protection Order Rule modifying its operations to increase the safety of court participants and staff. In its continued response to increase safety, the Superior Court Presiding Judge, Scott A. Collier, issued the following modification to Civil Protection Orders process.

Requests for Civil Protection orders are still being accepted for filing at the Clark County Superior Court Clerk’s Office.

Beginning March 24, 2020, all in-person Tuesday, Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) and Thursday, non-DVPO dockets have been CANCELLED.

All matters currently scheduled for these dockets are STRICKEN and petitions will be reviewed ex parte. Granted orders will be available at the Clark County Clerk’s Office.

Beginning March 23, 2020, all civil protection petitions received in the Superior Court Clerk’s Office by 11 a.m. will be reviewed the same day by a judicial officer ex parte. Petitions received after 11 a.m. will be reviewed ex parte by a judicial officer the next court business day. Review hearing of all temporary orders entered will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

Granted orders will be available at the Clark County Clerk’s Office after 3:30 p.m. on the day they are reviewed by the judicial officer or make other arrangements with the Clerk’s Office to obtain orders.

Requests for a special set hearing prior to Tuesday, April 28, 2020, will be considered for any emergent or emergency matters regarding child safety and welfare, medical issues or any use of a weapon that would require a Protection Order. To request a special set for telephonic hearing, contact the Commissioner’s Judicial Assistant at (564) 397-4037.

For full details of General Order 20-11 Emergency Civil Protection Order Rule including service requirements and review dates, see the Superior Court’s website: www.clark.wa.gov/superior-court.

Persons exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, persistent cough, or shortness of breath are prohibited from entering Clark County Courthouse, Juvenile Courthouse, or the Family Law Annex. Any such person who does appear shall be refused entry.

Persons at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and those who cannot enter the Courthouse who wish to avail themselves of an order to appear shall contact the appropriate judicial department to request other arrangements be made related to their court business. 

Any changes to court hours or proceedings will be provided in future press releases. For the latest information on court operations visit: www.clark.wa.gov/superior-court.

We continue to follow guidance from Clark County Public Health to help protect the public’s health.  Employees and court participants should follow these recommendations while at the County Courthouse, Juvenile Courthouse and Family Law Annex:

• Increase handwashing and use of alcohol-based sanitizer
• Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette – cover a cough or a sneeze
• Keep distance from others (more than six feet, if possible)
• Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces
• Remain home if you are sick

 

CONTACT
Jessica Gurley
Superior Court Administrator
Superior Court
564.397.4266