Mecklenburg courts resume some hearings in June. Read this before you show up.
Just because the Mecklenburg County Courthouse is opening its doors a little wider June 1 doesn’t mean you need to be there.
While trials in Superior and District courts won’t be happening, other administrative hearings are resuming after more than a two-month delay caused by the coronavirus. Public seating in all of them will be much reduced to maintain social distancing.
The Mecklenburg Courthouse had 70,000 visitors a month before the virus-related shutdown, and 13,000 in April.
Moreover, courthouse activity remains on a limited, pandemic-related schedule to reduce the number of people inside the building. So before you show up, read this guide from the Mecklenburg District Attorney’s Office on how you might avoid a trip.
Trials
All trials in District and Superior courts have been delayed through at least through July.
New court dates
Most hearings originally scheduled on or after March 16 have been been delayed and likely rescheduled. To find your new date, try one of these:
▪ Visit www.nccourts.gov/court-dates to search online by name or citation number.
▪ Call the District Attorney’s Office at 704-686-0700 or the Clerk of Superior Court at 704-686-0600.
▪ Know this: Your hearing may be delayed again. Sign up with the N.C. courts’ notification system (www.nccourts.gov/services), which will alert you by email or text of your court date or any scheduling changes.
Crime Victims
Questions about your case or an upcoming bond or detention hearing can be directed to the District Attorney’s Office at 704-686-0700. The office says it also will try to contact victims ahead of a bond hearings in which victims have a right to speak and wish to appear.
Domestic violence
Requests in civil court for restraining and protective orders — in which prosecutors are not involve — continue to be heard. If you’re a victim of domestic violence, contact the District Attorney’s Office at 704-686-0700 for the latest court date or the status of your criminal case.
Going to court for a traffic ticket?
Your day in court on that speeding ticket and most other driving infractions will be delayed until at least late summer. But you may be able to take care of routine matters without a courthouse trip. Here’s how:
▪ Visit www.nccourts.gov/services to request a reduction of speeding tickets or a dismissal of violations related to your driver’s license or registration and inspection (if you have obtained compliance with the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles). You can also use the online site to pay court costs, fines or fees.
▪ Call the DA’s Office at 704-686-0700 or email DA.traffictickets@nccourts.org.
▪ For health precautions, the DA’s office has waived in-person, safe-driving classes required with certain traffic offenses. The class, sponsored by the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina, can be taken online at www.safetync.org.
This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 1:24 PM.
