Orange County Courthouse Closes Due to COVID-19 Exposure

The Orange County Courthouse will temporarily close to the public following “an exposure” to COVID-19.

Court officials for the Hillsborough facility announced the closure on Tuesday, citing a recent threat to the public and court employees’ safety from the coronavirus. According to a release from the North Carolina Judicial Branch, those working at the courthouse have been coordinating a response with Orange County Health officials.

“We are working quickly to protect the health of those who work in the building as well as the people that we serve,” said Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour in the release. “We’re grateful for the quick response by the Orange County Public Health Department and the County’s Environmental Services Department.”

The release from the state judicial branch did not specify whether the “exposure” came from a positive COVID-19 case in a community member or courthouse staff member.

Orange County court officials say the courthouse will be closed through at least Friday, November 6, with the exception of some operations. First appearances for in-custody defendants, emergency domestic violence matters and emergency filings will still occur in-person. Criminal Superior Court matters and Civil District Court matters will be conducted remotely when possible, according to Tuesday’s release. Other matters, including traffic court and criminal district court, will be rescheduled automatically. Orange County court officials said those with such cases will soon receive a letter about a new court date.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch said the Orange County Grand Jury scheduled to meet on Monday, November 2, will be postponed to November 30.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state, North Carolina Chief Justice Cheri Beasley announced most non-criminal proceedings in court would be conducted remotely. In June, guidance from the state court system led the Orange County Courthouse to resume more in-person operations in a limited fashion, implementing several requirements to visitors to protect public health.

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