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March 13, 2020
58th District Court Takes COVID-19 Prevention Measures
In response to the emergency declarations made by President Trump and Governor Whitmer, the 58th District Court will be curtailing its operations to eliminate non-essential activities in order to avoid unnecessary in-person contact between court users and court staff. These measures are being taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
The following changes in court operations will go into effect at 5:00 PM on March 13, 2020:
- The 58th District Court will remain open at its three locations in Holland, Hudsonville and Grand Haven. There will, however, be no in-person services available at the front windows of those courts until Monday, April 27, 2020 at 8:00 AM. Many front window services can be fulfilled online at miOttawa.org/servicecenter.
- All civil proceedings currently scheduled between March 16 and April 27 will be rescheduled. This includes all small claims trials, general civil motions, pre-trials, trials and post-judgment proceedings, as well as all Summary Proceedings (landlord-tenant) hearings and trials. All summary proceeding complaints filed seeking a judgment of possession will be set for hearing on or after April 27 except complaints alleging serious and continuing health hazard, etc. under MCL 600.5714(1)(d) which will be scheduled at the soonest available date. Parties with judgments of possession who are seeking court orders of eviction may file those requests and the court will act upon them. Persons objecting to an order of eviction may file a request to stay that eviction and a hearing will be scheduled at the earliest available date.
- Filing of pleadings in civil and criminal cases may be accomplished by email, mail or by dropping off the pleadings at a designated drop off site at the court. Payment of filing fees, fines, costs or restitution may be done by mail or as permitted by the Ottawa County web site.
- All criminal trials, preliminary examinations and arraignments for persons not lodged at the county jail will be adjourned until on or after April 27. Scheduled pre-trials and probable cause conferences will be conducted off site by telephone with the prosecutor or city attorney. Persons represented by counsel should contact their lawyer to confirm the change and to be advised of the alternate procedures. Persons representing themselves should contact the prosecuting attorney or city attorney as appropriate.
- The probation department will be curtailing some of its activities and persons affected will be notified.
- Persons with scheduled weddings may reschedule or have the wedding conducted at the scheduled time. However, only the bride, groom and two witnesses will be allowed at any ceremony held between March 16 and April 24.
Further information will be available at the county website at https://www.miottawa.org/Courts/58thDistrict/. The court will remain partially staffed during this period and we will respond to phone calls, emails, or other communications as quickly as possible.
For up to date information, visit the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) at miOttawa.org/miHealth. Click here to sign up for OCDPH alerts related to COVID-19.
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