Durham, Orange County Courts Reopen With Health Measures in Place

After more than two months of largely limited in-person operations, courthouses in both Orange County and Durham County reopened to proceedings on Monday.

The order from state Chief Justice Cheri Beasley delaying or moving online many non-criminal proceedings began in mid-March at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in North Carolina. Since then, courthouses have been working to adapt their systems not just during this delay period, but also in preparation for the inevitable return to in-person action.

The Durham and Orange County Sheriff’s Offices shared releases ahead of the courthouses’ wide reopening to let the public know what to expect upon arrival. Both are requiring any visitors wear cloth face coverings, with limited supplies available for those who don’t have one. Limitations to how many people can be in a courtroom at one time will also be in place and social distancing will be clearly marked on seats and the ground throughout each facility.

Durham County’s courthouses will be screening each visitor prior to entry, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials suggest visitors plan to account for these delays upon arrival and calling the appropriate agency before coming to courthouses to ensure their business can be conducted.

Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the only items visitors may bring into their courthouses are cell phones, car keys and methods of payment. In addition, officials said each courthouse will have a Maximum Social Distancing Occupancy Number posted on the door. People will asked to leave the building on a “last in, first out” basis if that number is exceeded, with others waiting at the entrance able to be notified by text message when the number of people in courtrooms is below the occupancy number.

“We want to assure the public that extensive measures have been taken to provide for their health and safety,” said Mark Kleinschmidt, Orange County Clerk of Superior Court, in a release ahead of the opening.

Beasley’s initial order in March delayed proceedings through mid-April before she extended it to June on April 4.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

‹

Orange County Sheriff's Office Charges 1 for Rougemont, Caldwell Thefts

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest connected to several breaking and entering cases in the northern part of the county on Tuesday. Investigators captured and charged 32-year-old Brandon Howell faces four counts of breaking and entering and four counts of larceny after breaking and entering. The sheriff’s office said Howell allegedly stole from […]

Man With Felony Warrants in 3 Counties Arrested After Overnight Search Near Hillsborough

Authorities in Orange County arrested a man wanted on multiple felony warrants of breaking into and stealing from motor vehicles on Tuesday afternoon. Hillsborough Police arrested Steven Earl Riggs, 45, on charges of breaking and entering vehicles, as well as larceny of motor vehicles. A message from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Monday night alerted […]

Orange County Sheriff's Office Brings Two Dozen Additional Charges Against Durham Man

Orange County authorities charged Durham's Keshaun Christopher Byrd over a November string of break-ins along Red Hill Lane and Seven Springs Road.

Orange County Sheriff's Office Arrests, Charges Alleged Construction Material Thieves

After sharing photos of suspects in a theft investigation, the Orange County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged them on Wednesday.

Orange County Sheriff's Office: 1 Arrested, 1 At Large After Attempted Burglary

A Durham man is wanted by local law enforcement after an attempted break-in and burglary of an Orange County business, a high-speed chase and car crash during the early hours of Thursday, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. A release Thursday afternoon said the office took out six felony warrants against 24-year-old Erlin Lopez […]

Sheriff's Office Charges Hillsborough Man in Coleman Loop Road Fire and Residence Break-Ins

The Orange County Sheriff's Office charged a Hillsborough man related to a recent fire at a business complex and a series of home break-ins.

Orange, Durham County Sheriffs Team Up for Cocaine and Heroin Bust

The Orange and Durham County sheriff’s offices teamed up in the last week to bring charges against two men and seize trafficking amounts of cocaine and heroin. A release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Friday said it has charged Hillsborough resident Craig Whitted with two counts of trafficking in opium or heroin and […]

Orange County Sheriff's Office Receives Report of 16 Stolen Doors

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office may soon be opening an investigation into the theft of 16 doors from a Hillsborough property. The office’s daily incident report shared the report of a breaking and entering and larceny from the 2100 block of Eva Kay Way — a neighborhood of homes just north of downtown Hillsborough and […]

Orange County Man Charged with Concealment of Death in May Case

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Northern Orange County resident on Monday in connection to a suspicious death case from May. A release from the sheriff’s office said investigators arrested Charles Alan Berry, 57, of Rougemont on a concealment of death charge. The case is regarding the death of John Logan Bell III, whose […]

Durham, Orange County Courts Reopen With Health Measures in Place

After more than two months of largely limited in-person operations, courthouses in both Orange County and Durham County reopened to proceedings on Monday. The order from state Chief Justice Cheri Beasley delaying or moving online many non-criminal proceedings began in mid-March at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in North Carolina. Since then, courthouses have […]

›