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 Announces Arrest in 25-Plus Break-Ins

Orange County authorities have arrested a man suspected in more than 25 break-ins across five counties. Investigators with the Orange and Durham county sheriff’s offices and members of the Durham Police Department located and arrested 31-year-old Leron Kelly Owens around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to a release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Owens was […]

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 Details String of Break-Ins, Larceny Charges Against 2 Teenagers

The Orange County Sheriff's Office formally announced criminal charges against a pair of 18-year-olds for a string of break-ins in November.

Orange County Sheriff's Office Arrests Second Man in Connection to Break-In, Theft

The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced charges against two Rougemont men on Monday following an investigation into a residential break-in.

Orange County Investigators Identify, Charge 4 Men in Connection to Chapel Hill Thefts

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday it obtained warrants against a quartet of men in connection to two recent break-ins in Chapel Hill. A release from the office said investigators — chiefly Investigator Kevin Stewart — worked with agencies in surrounding counties and other states to identify the suspects, who are four Chilean men […]

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 […]

Sheriff Charges 2 Over Orange County Business Break-Ins

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says two Alamance County residents facing several felony counts in their jurisdiction were recently detained. A release from the office on Thursday said 44-year-old Patrick Crisp and 25-year-old Jaquacey Smith are allegedly behind a string of convenience store burglaries from mid-September. Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office took out […]

Orange Chapel United Methodist Church Broken Into; Coffee Machine Reported Stolen

Orange Chapel United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill reported a break-in to one of its building on Monday. While most items, including those used for services, went untouched, just one item was reported as stolen. The church near Old Greensboro Road listed a Keurig coffee machine as the sole item taken out of its back […]

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 […]

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 […]

›