Judge Brian House conducting hearing via the internet

Judges and attorneys in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit have had to learn how to conduct business a bit differently during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit is virtually shut down, but there are a few exceptions.

The Judicial Circuit judges are conducting some hearings online.  The Circuit’s web site contains information for local attorneys to download an app where they can represent their clients in “front of a judge” for certain hearings – but all of that is done in front of a computer screen.

Judge Don Thompson says that both criminal and civil jury trials for May have been cancelled.  Criminal jury trials have been pushed back to July and civil jury trials have been continued until the November term of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit.

Earlier this year, Chief Judge Kristina Graham issued the following statement:

Chief Judge Announcement

In an abundance of caution, all jury trials in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit are continued for a 30 day period. Catoosa County jury trials for the March term are canceled and defendants will receive notice of new court dates.

These safety measures are taken as a precautionary measure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and are in keeping with recommendations of medical and public health experts. It is simply not possible to practice effective social distancing within our current jury trial format.

Other courts will remain open and conduct all other regularly scheduled matters deemed necessary by each specific court. By taking these proactive measures it is my hope that we can minimize potential problems and protect the well being of all our litigants, attorneys, and courthouse personnel as well as that of our community as a whole. I encourage each of you to be protective of your own personal health and that of those around you.

I have also been asked to keep the Council of Superior Court Judges President, Judge LaGrua,, Chief Justice Melton, and Presiding Judge Nahmias of the Supreme Court of Georgia apprised of any development in our courts as it relates to COVID-19. Please inform both me and our Chief Court Administrator, Keith Bates, of any such matters immediately.

  Kristina Cook Graham

  Chief Judge, LMJC