Memorandum of the Chief Justice, December 21, 2020: Updated Judicial Branch Covid-19 Protocols

The record

Jurisdiction

Montana (statewide judiciary) · Montana

Level

Court

Authority

Mont. Const. art. VII, sec. 2 ('on behalf of the Supreme Court, I am updating and ordering the following minimum requirements')

Issued

2020-12-21 Dec. 21, 2020

Effective

2020-12-21

End

2021-05-17 (superseded by MT-061) (read as 2021-05-17)

In force

Dec. 21, 2020 to May 17, 2021

Quarters

2020 Q42021 Q12021 Q2

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

Limitation types

Gathering capFace-covering requirementCourts and public officesWorkplace rules

Addressees

• district courts and clerks
• Water Court
• courts of limited jurisdiction
• Judicial Branch employees

Functions reached

• CT courts (masks; remote hearings; distancing; jury-trial conditions)
• CL
• SV

Collection

Montana MT

Operative words

1. Face masks or face covering are required in all courtrooms and shared spaces in court-related offices and rooms. This includes, but is not limited to, hallways outside of courtrooms serving as waiting areas, Youth Court offices, Self-Help Law Centers, and court meeting rooms.... 2. Courts will continue using remote-hearing or telephonic hearings for cases, which will allow a limit to the number of people in a courthouse and in a courtroom.... 3. Physical distancing in courthouses, courtrooms, and offices must be maintained. A minimum of six feet between individuals must be maintained. Courts are required to coordinate with local public health authorities about any group size limitations.... 6. Judges must continue planning locally for jury trials.... Jury trials must be conducted in such a manner as to maintain social distance and protect the health of jurors and others.

Enforcement

Notes