JUDGES ORDER SUSPENSION OF COURT PROCEEDINGS AT WASHINGTON CO. COURTHOUSE
Washington County judges are halting court proceedings at the courthouse.
In a proclamation and order issued this (Monday) morning, District Judges Carson Campbell and John Winkelmann and County Court at Law Judge Eric Berg said all court proceedings scheduled to take place in the courthouse are temporarily suspended. The judges said the suspension will continue “until such time as a proper safety report is received and reviewed, and an appropriate and approved facility is available.”
The order comes amid ongoing construction activity at the courthouse, which has led to court proceedings occasionally being cancelled and has prompted discussions at the county about holding court in an alternate location.
The judges said they have requested an engineering report to determine if the courthouse is safe for occupancy and court operations. They also said the proposed temporary facility “has not, to date, been deemed safe or compliant with required standards by the sheriff’s office, applicable jail standards authorities, the fire marshal, or the Office of Court Administration.”
According to Sheriff Trey Holleway, officials have been looking at utilizing the Commercial Exhibits/Country Creations building at the Washington County Expo as a temporary location to hold court. Holleway said once inspections and preparations are finalized to ensure the safety of inmates, judges, county employees and the public, the hope would be to have everything ready in two to three weeks. He said the sheriff’s office and other stakeholders would work together to “create a space that is usable, efficient and as safe as possible.”
County Judge John Durrenberger told KWHI on Friday that with the sheriff’s and fire marshal’s approval of the plan, he sees no reason why the judges would not agree to the temporary move to the Country Creations building.
Prior to today’s order, Durrenberger had issued a statement indicating an agreement had been reached, saying, “Washington County officials recently met to discuss temporary courtroom arrangements related to the ongoing courthouse exterior restoration project. I am pleased to report that the matter was addressed through internal discussions and that the parties involved worked together toward a productive outcome.”
The statement continued, “At the end of the day, this represents a positive step forward and a win for the taxpayers of Washington County. Our responsibility remains to ensure the safety of everyone who enters the courthouse and to provide safe and secure courtrooms while also being responsible stewards of Washington County taxpayer dollars.”
Durrenberger could not immediately be reached for additional comment in response to the judges’ proclamation.
The judges’ order said all those who are affected by the suspension of proceedings will be notified regarding rescheduled dates or alternative arrangements once they become available.
