The following update was received March 23, 2020 from Franklin County Domestic and Juvenile Court regarding the COVID-19 situation:
Good morning everyone. We are a week into our curtailed operations, and am sending this update in light of the Governor’s shelter-in-place order that commences this evening at midnight.
• Courts are considered essential government functions (Item 10).
• Professional services have also been deemed essential, which includes attorney services (Item 12(u)).
• Custody exchanges and court orders are required to be followed (14(e)). Our prior guidance on how to handle scheduling and exchanges is still in effect.
• The Court will continue to hear those cases we have deemed essential and time sensitive, which includes A/N/D preliminary hearings, delinquencies where the youth has been held, CPOs, ECO’s, and pre-disposition A/N/D cases which will reach 90 days prior to April 13th. It is the Court’s intent to try to resolve those A/N/D cases if possible at the next scheduled hearing. If resolution is not possible, then the case will be dismissed and re-filed at that time.
• The Civil Protection/Juvenile Protection Order staff will be on hand to assist pro se filers complete their CPO and JPO petitions beginning at 8 a.m. They will stop intake of new petitions at 3 p.m.
• Because of the large number of continuances being processed last week, many were slow to hit the system. If you need to verify whether a case has been continued (please do your due diligence first), you may call 614-525-4407.
• Before you come to Court, check your temperature. If you have an elevated temperature (defined by the CDC as 100.4, or 99.6 for the elderly), do not come to Court. Regardless of symptoms, please practice common sense if you have recently travelled or been in contact with any person who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Follow all CDC and State of Ohio guidelines on self-quarantine.
• Practice social distancing while at Court and wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently.
• No attorneys, runners, or other non-court personnel are permitted in the back hallways.
• Inform clients to not bring friends or family to Court unless they are a party to the case or critical to the hearing being held.
And remember: act as though you already have it and you’re trying not to spread it to others.
Wood & Long, LLC updated their address.
WE'RE MOVING! We've outgrown our current office and will be moving to a new location on February 24, 2020. Our new office is just a few blocks south of where we are currently located. We can't wait for you to see our new space!
Happy Anniversary to our firm, Wood & Long, LLC! Today marks 5 years since we opened our doors.
W&L is closed today in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.
The following is from Judge Browne regarding the Court closing on Tuesday, January 19 and Wednesday, January 20. If you have a hearing scheduled for either of those days, please check with the courtroom tomorrow (Friday) to see if it will be held by Zoom. Many cases will simply be continued.
Good Evening,
The DRJ Court Judges have decided to close the Court on Tuesday and Wednesday (January 19th and 20th). While we all hope and pray for cooler heads to prevail, we want to be 100% sure that our valued staff, colleagues and customers are not caught up in the various planned protests for next week.
The Court has received correspondence from the Franklin County Sherriff’s Office and the Ohio Supreme Court which informed our decision. There is no indication that any worrisome events are planned which would target courthouses or otherwise take place before Sunday. If that situation changes, we will so inform via email, our website and social media accounts. Aside from the CPO Help Desk, the Court will remain open on Friday. Furthermore, the Duty Juvenile Magistrate will conduct JIC file reviews on Monday morning.
We encourage everyone to please be safe over this extended leave period and pause to truly reflect upon who we celebrate this weekend. It’s ironic … if we all embraced the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there would be no need for closings next week. "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." MLK
Be well!
KAB
Judge Kim A. Browne
Administrative Judge
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
Domestic Relations Division and Juvenile Branch
Office: (614) 525-4444
Fax: (614) 525-7440
Email: kim_browne@fccourts.org
Happy New Year!
W&L will close early on Dec 31 at 3p and will be closed all day January 1 in observance of the holiday.
Happy Holidays!!
Please note: W&L closes early Dec 23 (3p) and will be closed all day Dec 24 and 25. Have a great extended weekend!
We are pleased to announce that all three of the lawyers at W&L have been selected as ⭐ Rising Stars. ⭐
Jessica has been selected as a Rising Star 5 times overall. This is her 4th consecutive year. Chelsea has been selected 4 years consecutively, since 2018. Marcie has been selected two years consecutively.
Congratulations to all three!
Our waiting room is waiting for you! Relaxing colors. Charming views. Feel comfortable and cared for as we take care of all your family law needs.
