Judges across Arizona are adjusting to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are trying to spread awareness to their communities about legal resources while also addressing violators.
Maricopa County is home to 26 justice courts, which handle a variety of issues including small claims, evictions, traffic violations, DUIs and orders of protections.
The courts are open, but have limited in-person proceedings. Most are being conducted by telephone, email or video.Visitors can still enter the facilities to get orders of protection.
Manistee Justice Court Judge Donald Wattstold The Arizona Republic that the pandemic is a confusing time.
Manistee is housed in the Maricopa County Northwest Regional Court Center in Surprise. The center is also home to three other justice courts, as well asbranches of Maricopa County Superior Court and the Clerk's Office.
Before the pandemic, the center had more than 700 visitors daily.
On Tuesday, Watts' docket wasfull of telephonic hearings, leaving hiscourtroom empty. Only portraits of U.S. presidents stared backat the him and the bailiff.
"It is unique with this COVID-19, because people turn to the courts," he said. "There's huge responsibility in the court's eyes making sure everything is done according to the law."
What are justice courts doing?
Just like othercourts around the area, Maricopa County justice courts have taken precautions to protect visitors.The 26 courts are located in 13 facilities.
People must wear masks and have their temperature checked by security as they enter.There are signs around the courts and on chairs reminding people to practice social distancing.
The courts have created a new form for traffic violations that allows people to enter a plea by email.
Cases may befiled by email, fax or through drop boxes outside the court facilities. People should contact the court for instructions on their case.
Watts encourages people to call the court if they have a question. One person asked the court if they could make ADA accommodations for his hearing, and the court was able to help.
The Maricopa County Northwest Regional Court Centerhas installed sneeze guards for bailiffs and is planning to place them on cubicles for staff.
'I need you to mute your phone'
The biggest change for Watts is not seeing many people in his courtroom. Non-verbal communication can be helpful.
“As a judge, when people don’t necessarily tell you the whole story, it’s much easier to draw questions out of them if you can see them,” he told The Republic.
The courts are using software that allows judges to dial a number to start the telephonic hearings. Parties and the public are able to dial a number to connect into the hearing.
Around the time of their hearing, a person calls into the number and waits for the judge to call their case. People are asked to mute their phones until theirname is called.
However,with this many people on a line, sometimesthings can get complicated. During Watts'hearings on Tuesday, one person had issues muting her phone.
“I’m on the phone,” a woman said.
“Ma’am, I need you to mute your phone because everybody else can hear your conversation and they can’t hear what I’m saying,” Watts told the woman.
“Are you… Can you hear me, sir?” the woman replied.
Luckily,judges have the ability to find a caller's phone number and mute the person themselves.
Watts has seen a benefit with telephonic hearings when it comes to evictions. Watts said he's noticed more renters are appearing, unlike when hearings are in person.
Telephonic hearings are more convenient for some people. For example, people who have demanding work schedules or don't live close to the court are able to call in for a hearing.
"I think you are providing better access to justice on something like that, that can be handled over the phone," Watts said.
However, participants should remember to focus during their hearings instead of multi-tasking. During some hearings, people were walking around outside, which caused distractions and seemed to impact their ability to understand what was happening.
Each justice court holds different types of hearings each day. At Manistee, the court is still having "walk-in" hearings, but they are telephonic. Individuals should call the court first to find out the schedule, or make a request.
Informing renters
At the start of eviction hearings, Watts informs attendees of Gov. Doug Ducey's executive order concerning evictions, explains what it means and tells them to contact the constable if they believe they qualify.
Ducey in late March allowed landlords to continue filing evictions against tenants for overduerent, butordered constables not to kick anyone out until July 23if the tenantor a household membercould prove they were sick or economically impacted by COVID-19.
The judge said telling people the information helps them understand what the order means.
"There's no mandate to do that, but I like doing it because I think it is important that people know what their options are," Watts told The Republic.
Ducey created a $5 million fund to help renters and temporarily delay eviction enforcement though July 22. According to a report by The Republic, many renters in the state could fall in rental debt by August if they remain out of work and see their unemployment checks drop.
Once the order has ended, if renters haven't been able to pay their landlords accumulated rent and late fees, they may face eviction within days.
Many renters are confused about the court process. Watts takes his time answering questions.
In one case, an attorney stated COVID-19 statistics when defending his clients who are vulnerable to contracting the illness due to their medical conditions. He asked that his clients not be kicked out while Ducey's order is in place. The renters sent the landlord a letter from a doctor stating their medical issues.
The landlord's attorney agreed to not evict the couple until after the order expired.
Here to help during a pandemic
The Arizona legal community is trying to provide education to the public on what resources are available to them.
The Maricopa County Justice Courts have a list of resourcespeople can contact for help.
Normally, when people enter a courtroom, they can receive it from staff. However, the list is also availableonline. The list includes information on lawyer referral services, an elder hotline and immigration legal services.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Arizona Supreme Court has created videos informing the public about new procedures fortrying to get married at a courthouse, getting a protective order, changing child support or parenting time, and changes to the landlord/tenant law.
People can still get married at a courthouse. The justice courts will allow two witnesses with the couple, if the wedding is held inside. Eight witnesses can be with the coupleif the weddingis outside.
The court offers webinars on a series of issues thatallows the public to learn and ask questions.
The Arizona Bar Foundation offers resources online for people who have questions surrounding COVID-19 and legal issues, including family law, credit card debt, small business operation guidelines and safety planning for domestic violence victims.
The organization also has a hotline that is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday: 866-611-6022.
Additional information
Maricopa County Justice Courts' List:http://justicecourts.maricopa.gov/Resources/index.aspx.
Arizona Supreme Court webinars:https://azcourthelp.org.
Arizona Bar Foundation:https://covid19.azlawhelp.organd866-611-6022.
Have thoughts about Arizona's legal system? Reach criminal justice reporter Lauren Castle at Lauren.Castle@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lauren_Castle.
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