(WTTW News)
As more and more in-person operations within the Cook County criminal court system resume, Chief Judge Timothy Evans has announced that a majority of domestic violence-related hearings will take place remotely.
Evans this week issued an order allowing nearly all domestic violence proceedings to go forward by videoconference or teleconference, saying it’s being done “in order to better serve victims” in these cases.
The order specifically refers to domestic violence cases that were heard between July 26 and Aug. 11 and had subsequent in-person appearances scheduled.
“These scheduled in-person appearances shall instead be continued for a remote appearance 21 days from the currently scheduled court date,” Evans’ office said in a statement Thursday.
Per the order, remote proceedings will be held for emergency orders of protection (including civil no contact orders, civil orders of protection, firearms restraining orders, and stalking no contact orders), status hearings, hearings on motions, default and uncontested matters, and meetings with the Child Relief Expediter.
This lone exception to the order is in contested hearings or any hearing in which the judge hearing the case had decided a remote proceeding would not serve the interests of justice.
According to Evans’ office, the new order was signed Wednesday and is effective immediately.
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
