Welcome to the Court of Common Pleas 43rd Judicial District
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Per the
Order issued by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 38 MM 2020 on December 2, 2021:
The President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe
County is authorized, through December 31, 2021, to suspend state or local rules
that restrict the use of advanced communication technology (ACT) in court
proceedings, subject to state and federal constitutional limitations. Judges
shall be present in the courthouse, judicial center, or other court facility
whenever a proceeding is being conducted by ACT, except for extraordinary circumstances,
such as when court properties have been closed due to inclement weather or
other emergency under Pa.R.J.A. Nos. 1950-1954, or when a proceeding is not
being conducted during normal business hours.
Please see for PA Supreme Court 38 MM2020 - 12-2-21 Order.pdf for the full Order.
After careful
review and consideration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
masking guidelines (released on 7/28/2021) and in conjunction with a
forthcoming policy announcement by the County of Monroe, please note that
effective 7/29/2021 the Court amends its Protocols for the Use of ACT (and
masking policy) as follows:
Any person entering
any Court Facility, regardless of vaccination status, shall wear
a facial covering which covers the nose and mouth while in all public spaces
including, but not limited to, corridors, restrooms, courtrooms, hearing rooms,
deliberation rooms, elevators, stairways, entranceways, and all Court offices,
except when an employee is in his or her own cubicle or private office. All
persons in all Court Facilities shall maintain physical distancing of a minimum
of 6 feet of separation, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Virtual
COPE classes are now available via a web-based platform; please go to our
Custody Department link for the registration form and more details.
Monroe County Court - Protocols for the Use of ACT
At this time, any state or local rule that restrict the use of
Advanced Communication Technology (ACT) in court proceedings is suspended until
12/31/2021
Please note that this website/Special Coronavirus Announcements section will be updated as new information about the Court’s modified operations becomes available; please continue to check here often.
All Courts of the 43rd Judicial
District, Monroe County, including Magisterial District Courts and the Court of
Common Pleas, have been and shall remain fully open for business with
restricted public access in accordance with the Court’s Protocols (Court
protocols available by clicking the area of interest in the links below).
The
Court of Common Pleas may conduct all proceedings, where practicable, using
Advanced Communications Technology (ACT).
Magisterial
District Courts shall conduct all hearings/proceedings as indicated in the
Court’s Protocols, Section H(6).
1. All persons entering any Court facility, which includes 701
Main Street and the Sherman Theater, shall be screened using the COVID-19
questionnaire approved by the Court. Any person not meeting the health
questionnaire criteria may be denied access to any Court facility and
alternative accommodations for access to court proceedings and offices will be
made. The Sheriff’s staff will continue to act as the “gatekeeper” in
accordance with these procedures.
2. Any person entering
any Court Facility, regardless of vaccination status, shall wear a
facial covering which covers the nose and mouth while in all public spaces
including, but not limited to, corridors, restrooms, courtrooms, hearing rooms,
deliberation rooms, elevators, stairways, entranceways, and all Court offices,
except when an employee is in his or her own cubicle or private office.
3. All persons in all Court Facilities shall maintain physical
distancing of a minimum of 6 feet of separation, unless otherwise directed by
the Court.
4. Any person who meets one or more of the below criteria is
prohibited from entering the Court facility:
a. is currently directed to quarantine, isolate or self-monitor
at home for COVID-19 by any doctor, hospital or health agency; or
b. has been diagnosed with (and has not
been medically cleared from isolation), or has had close contact with anyone
diagnosed with COVID-19 (within the last fourteen (14) days); or
c. has flulike
symptoms or a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit; or
d. is not wearing a facial covering in accordance with paragraph 2
above (as amended 7/29/2021); or
e. has traveled outside of the United States of America within the last ten (10) days
Protocols
for the Use of ACT
As the Court continues to
navigate necessary changes in operations, We are mindful of our unwavering
priority and goal of the health and safety of our employees and the public
which has guided us throughout this pandemic. As the Commonwealth and Country begin
to reopen, and as our vaccination rates increase,
We
will continue to cautiously increase in person proceedings, while using ACT as
appropriate and practicable.
In
accordance with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Order dated September 3. 2021,
allowing the continued suspension of any state or local rule that restricts,
directly or indirectly, the use of Advanced Communications Technology (ACT) in
court proceedings, including but not limited to Pa.R.Crim.P. 119 and
Pa.R.J.C.P. Nos. 129 and 1129 through October 1, 2021, we promulgate the
following procedures.
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. All
persons entering any Court facility, which includes 701 Main Street and the
Sherman Theater, shall be screened using the COVID-19 questionnaire approved by
the Court. Any person not meeting the health questionnaire criteria may be
denied access to any Court facility and alternative accommodations for access
to court proceedings and offices will be made. The Sheriff’s staff will
continue to act as the “gatekeeper” in accordance with these procedures.
2. Any
person entering any Court Facility, regardless of vaccination status, shall
wear a facial covering which covers the nose and mouth while in all public
spaces including, but not limited to, corridors, restrooms, courtrooms, hearing
rooms, deliberation rooms and all Court offices (As amended 7/29/2021).
All persons in all Court Facilities shall maintain physical distancing of
a minimum of 6 feet of separation, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
3. Courthouse
boxes and a limited number of blank printed forms will remain at the front
door. Forms are available on the Court’s website at www.monroepacourts.us, additional forms from the
Prothonotary’s Office are available on the County’s website: http://www.monroecountypa.gov/Dept/Prothonotary/Pages/default.aspx.
4.
Litigants
will be permitted in the facility no more than 10 minutes prior to a scheduled
proceeding and counsel shall speak with their clients outside of
the court facility prior to the proceeding. Accommodations for the press
and for public access to proceedings will be made upon request to Court
Administration.
5.
In
accordance with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Order dated September 3, 2021,
granting permission to continue the use of ACT through October 1, 2021, “judges
shall be present in the courthouse, judicial center, or other court facility
whenever a proceeding is being conducted by ACT, except for extraordinary
circumstances, such as when court properties have been closed due to inclement
weather or other emergency under Pa.R.J.A. Nos. 1950–1954, or when a proceeding
is not being conducted during normal business hours.”
6.
ACT
may be used for all proceedings when possible and practicable, and in the
discretion of the presiding Judge. All Court orders shall specify whether a
proceeding will be held in person or via ACT. In person proceedings shall be
staggered by time. All in person proceedings shall be scheduled to ensure that
physical distancing in any given courtroom at all times and during ingress and
egress can be maintained. While this will inevitably create longer
hearing times and more “down time” in court, it remains necessary for the
health of the public, counsel and employees.
7.
Unless
otherwise directed by the presiding Judge, documents/exhibits for use in all
types of proceedings held using ACT must be emailed to the presiding Judge,
Hearing Officer or Conciliator to an address provided and to all opposing
counsel/parties a minimum of 3 days prior to the scheduled proceeding or as
specified herein or by the presiding Judge. Exhibits must be pre-marked
by counsel and able to be displayed at the time of the proceedings in an
electronic format with a copy to opposing counsel/party.
8.
The
Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts/Orphans Court will continue to receive filings via
U.S. Mail, email, counter or front door drop-off and process same by scanning
and docketing each filing to insure electronic means of review and scheduling.
9.
All
criminal pleadings, except those specifically excluded by rule, shall be filed
using PACFile (see Monroe Co.R.Crim.P. 576.1).
10. Judicial Assistants will continue to
create orders for electronic signature and filing by each Judge where possible.
11. Court reporters/recorders will continue
to provide orders for electronic signature and filing for each Judge.
The following links will
take you to the applicable section of the Court’s Protocols for the Use of ACT
(please
reference these links for specific protocols, methods of filing and / or
helpful contact information):
Family (PFA Court; Custody; Domestic Relations Office [DRO]; Divorce) Civil (Mortgage Foreclosure; Tax Assessment Appeals; Mental Health Act Proceedings; All Civil Filings; Arbitrations) Juvenile - Delinquency (Detention Hearings; Juvenile Call; Adjudication Hearings; Disposition Hearings; Placement Reviews; Probation Reviews and Releases; Pre and Post- Adjudication Motions; Additional Hearing Procedures and Protocols; Administrative) Magisterial District Courts(Public Access; Preliminary Arraignments; Scheduling Events; Correspondence; New Civil Case Filings; Contact Information)
Individuals should come to
Court facilities during this time only if they
are required to be there
physically. With alternative means of filing
available to court
users versus over-the-counter filing (see COVID-19
INFO/FAQs)
and with many
proceedings being conducted via alternative
communication technology
(ACT), please be sure you need
to be
here and please come
alone:
- Do not
bring children to the Courthouse unless mandated by Court order.
- Do not
bring relatives or friends unless they are mandated by Order of Court.
- Individuals
scheduled for Court are encouraged to remain outside of the building or in
their vehicle until just before the scheduled time of their Court proceeding
(allow time for security screening at the front door).
o Litigants
will be permitted in the facility no more than 10 minutes prior
to a scheduled
proceeding and counsel shall speak with their clients outside of the court
facility prior to the proceeding. Witnesses will remain
outside of the court
facility and will be called in as needed. Reasonable accommodations for the
press and for public access to proceedings will be made upon request to Court
Administration.
Please continue to check http://www.monroepacourts.us/ for updates. As always, please reference the “Calendar” link on this page to see scheduled proceedings for criminal cases for the Court of Common Pleas.
For those at risk for homelessness as a result of COVID-19, please see
the following:
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides assistance
to households that have experienced financial hardship and may be at risk of
homelessness due to COVID-19. ERAP provides tenant households assistance with
rental and utility costs to include arrearages and other related housing
expenses. Eligible households can receive up to fifteen (15) months of rental
and utility assistance, including payment on arrears dating back to March 13,
2020, and there are no caps on the amounts that can be paid. Interested tenants
or landlords can apply online, and Monroe County residents can call Pocono
Mountains United Way's ERAP team at 570-243-6677 for more information.
COVID-19 Questions? Call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258)
If you are sick, please stay home and contact your health care professional for assistance/direction.
Updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) can be found at
Links to local health care providers:
Lehigh Valley Health Network –
St. Luke’s University Health Network
Mission: The Courts of the 43rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania, as an independent branch of government, are dedicated to the administration of justice in a fair, impartial and timely manner in accordance with the rule of law and the constitutions of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Court of Common Pleas of the 43rd Judicial District is a state trial court of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. It encompasses the County of Monroe. The Court hears civil cases with a significant amount in controversy and trials for serious crimes. The Court has original jurisdiction over all cases not exclusively assigned to another court and appellate jurisdiction over judgments from the minor courts. The Court also hears appeals from certain state and most local government agencies. The courts are established by Article V, Section 5 of the Pennsylvania Constitution: "There shall be one court of common pleas for each judicial district (a) having such divisions and consisting of such number of judges as shall be provided by law, one of whom shall be the president judge; and (b) having unlimited original jurisdiction in all cases except as may otherwise be provided by law." The Court of Common Pleas of the 43rd Judicial District has 7 judges. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.