WAUKESHA — On Monday morning, Waukesha County Courts resumed in-person proceedings except for jury trials under a new operational plan that outlines COVID-19 safety requirements.
On the front door, guests are asked to take a COVID-19 self-assessment test, only those who answer no to all questions are allowed into the courthouse.
Inside the courthouse, hand-sanitizer stations are placed throughout the building, only two people are allowed inside the elevator at a time and social distancing signs are placed in the hallways and on benches to remind people to stay six feet apart.
In March, officials limited the type of cases they were hearing and moved others online via Zoom. According to officials, thousands of cases were put on hold. Resuming in-person proceedings will help increase the number of cases the courts are able to process.
"Now every judge and court commissioner is back doing calendar on a daily basis so just that alone is going to increase the number of case hearings we can have on a daily basis," said Judge Jennifer Dorow, Presiding Judge in Waukesha County and Chief Judge of the Third Judicial District.
Inside the courtroom, people are required to wear a mask unless authorized by a judge and on the record. Jury trials will resume in July and plexiglass separates each juror and to ensure proper social distancing officials have increased the time spacing in-between court hearings.
"It’s one hearing at a time with sufficient time in-between so that anyone who is coming into the court has time to leave before the next person comes in," said Judge Dorow.
Court officials said if you don't feel well the most important thing is to stay home and give the courthouse a call so they can make proper accommodations.