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Allegheny County judge extends COVID-19 changes into January

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — The Emergency Operations Order for court proceedings in Allegheny County has been extended into January “due to the rising number of positive COVID-19 tests in Allegheny County.”

These are the changes that will go into effect Monday:

  • All proceedings that can’t be conducted remotely will be postponed until after Jan. 8.
  • All in-person arbitration hearings are suspended through Jan. 8.
  • Indirect Criminal Contempt hearings for people in jail will continue as scheduled for the Family Division
  • Delinquency Adjudication Hearings for juveniles currently detained and who request an in-person hearing will move forward with in-person hearings
  • All Court of Common Pleas facilities will stay open to the public and for case filings

Magisterial District Court operations are also modified:

  • All summary non-traffic/traffic proceedings scheduled between Monday and Jan. 8 will be postponed with the exception of some truancy cases.
  • All landlord-tenant proceedings will be postponed until after Jan. 8.
  • Civil proceedings in which all parties agree to conduct remotely will move forward.
  • Preliminary hearings for people not already in jail will be postponed.
  • Preliminary hearings for people in jail will continue with many appearing remotely.
  • Emergency protection from abuse petitioners will be allowed to appear in-person

Pittsburgh Municipal Court will have several changes:

  • Non-traffic summary proceedings will be postponed.
  • Preliminary hearings for people not in jail will be postponed.
  • Traffic summary proceedings will continue in-person at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
  • Preliminary hearings for people in jail will move forward remotely.
  • Emergency protection from abuse petitioners may appear in-person.
  • The court will remain open to the public and open for case filings, payments and case processing.