COVID-19 Informational for Emmet County

ADMINISTRATION

HON. JENNIFER DEEGAN - Circuit Court Judge
CHERYL FITZGERALD - Court Administrator
Email: cfitzgerald@emmetcounty.org
Phone: (231) 348-1741
Go to court's webpage on county site
Court forms are available on the State Court Administrative Office’s website here
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   NOTICE - Following a shutdown of nearly two months due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Emmet County Building reopened to the public on Tuesday, May 26. Pursuant to Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-02, court proceedings will be limited, allowing up to just 10 people, including staff. The courts will continue to encourage the use of two-way interactive technology for hearings when possible.
      Court dockets and hearing dates/times may be accessed through the record search function.
   In accordance with MSC Administrative Order 2020-02, the following also applies in the 57th Circuit Court:
         1. Any person entering the Courthouse must comply with applicable screening, social distancing, and other protective measures, including face coverings, ordered by the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, the Executive Orders issued by Governor Whitmer, and the Administrative Orders of the Michigan Supreme Court. All persons arriving at the Courthouse to attend a court hearing will be asked screening questions then-required by the local health department. The required questions currently include the following:
              a. Whether the person is experiencing the following symptoms: fever (defined as 100.4 degrees or higher), cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or diarrhea.
              b. Whether the person has had any close contact in the last 14 days with someone with a diagnosis of COVID-19.
              c. Whether the person has engaged in any activity or travel within the last 14 days that fails to comply with current Executive Orders.
              d. Whether the person has been directed or told by the local health department or their healthcare provider to self-isolate or self-quarantine.
         2. Upon satisfactory completion of the screening requirements, the person will be escorted to the appropriate courtroom for the hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the person will be escorted from the building.
         3. Physical access to court hearings will not be granted to any person who answers “yes” to any of the screening questions or who does not otherwise satisfactorily complete the screening requirements. Access may also be denied to ensure compliance with social distancing or other public health requirements, or as determined by the judge. A person who is denied physical access for these reasons, or any person unable to attend in person for other good cause, may request remote access by other means by contacting the Court at least one hour in advance.
         4. Whether observed in person or remotely, court hearings may not be recorded or distributed in any manner without the express permission of the judge presiding over the hearing. Recording, re-broadcasting, and/or distributing a recording of a hearing, in any manner, without the permission of the court is an act of contempt punishable by up to 93 days of incarceration and/or a $7,500 fine.
         5. Nothing in this Policy shall be construed to limit the authority of the judge to control the courtroom, or of the court to close court proceedings to the public where required by statute or court rule or in accordance with MCR 8.116.
           Signed: Hon. Charles W. Johnson, 57th Circuit Court Judge

90th DISTRICT COURT

HON. ANGELA LASHER - District Court Judge
AMANDA MILLER - Court Administrator
Email: amiller@emmetcounty.org
Phone: (231) 348-1754
Other Emmet County 90th District Court contact information:
      Main Line/Traffic Division:  (231) 348-1750
      Criminal Division:  (231) 348-1752
      Civil Division:  (231) 348-1751
      Probation Division:  (231) 348-0632
Go to court's webpage on county site for more
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   NOTICE - Effective Wednesday, November 18, 2020, the 90th District Court in Emmet County will be operating primarily on a remote basis.
   The following actions are being taken in response to MDHHS Emergency Order and 90th District Court LAO 2020-07J to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce the risk posed to the public, court staff, and others while protecting the legal rights of our citizens. These measures will be updated as circumstances require.
   Until further notice, the following applies in the 90th District Court:
      • Proceedings will be conducted virtually to the maximum extent possible. In-person court proceedings will be allowed on a limited basis.
      • Probationers will continue to report as directed by their Probation Officer. In-person reporting continues to be suspended until further notice.
      • ALL business that can be conducted by Zoom, telephone, fax, or email should be conducted in such a manner.
      • All Sobriety Court meetings and hearings will be held remotely.
   Court forms are available on the State Court Administrative Office's website at https://courts.michigan.gov/administration/scao/forms/pages/search-for-a-form.aspx.
   Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Please do not hesitate to contact the court with any additional questions/concerns.
           Signed: Hon. Angela J. Lasher, 90th District Court Judge

7th PROBATE DISTRICT COURT

HON. VALERIE K. SNYDER - Probate Court Judge
MATT MILLER - Court Administrator
Email: mmiller@emmetcounty.org
Phone: (231) 348-1764
Go to webpage on county site for more
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   NOTICE - REMOTE COURT OPERATIONS POLICY
   Effective Monday, November 16, 2020 and until further notice, the 7th Probate District Court in Charlevoix County and Emmet County will conduct most hearings remotely and will continue to encourage filings and other court business to be conducted electronically or by other remote means to the extent feasible. This policy applies to all matters in both the probate and juvenile divisions of the court.
   COURT PROCEEDINGS - All hearings may be attended via Zoom, except the following, which will be scheduled for in-person hearings:
      • Plea hearings
      • Probation violation hearings
      • Show cause or contempt hearings
      • Other matters that may be specifically ordered
   Cases involving a trial or contested evidentiary hearing will be set for a scheduling conference, at which in-person and remote options will be discussed.
   Juvenile drug treatment court meetings and hearings will be held remotely unless otherwise noticed.
   For hearings held in person, the Court will follow all requirements for facial coverings and social distancing.
   FILINGS & OTHER COURT BUSINESS - All filings should be submitted by mail or electronically at the email or fax listed below, if possible. The court's service windows will remain open for business that cannot feasibly be conducted by telephone, fax, or email.
   Juvenile probationers will have weekly contact with their probation officer either in person or by FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or other electronic communication.
   All visitors to the court will be required to complete a health screening before they are admitted to the building, and a record of visitors will be maintained.
   Court forms are available on the State Court Administrative Office's website at https://courts.michigan.gov/administration/scao/forms/pages/search-for-a-form.aspx.
   These actions implement the requirements of the Return to Full Capacity Plan and conesponding orders of the Michigan Supreme Court and are intended to reduce the risk posed to the public, court staff, and others while protecting the legal rights of our citizens. These measures will be updated as circumstances require.
   Requests for exceptions to an in-person hearing and questions may be directed to:
      Emmet County contact information: Matt Miller, Court Administrator, call (231) 348-1764 or by email mmiller@emmetcounty.org. Anyone needing to fax a document to the Emmet County court can do so to (231) 348-0672.
      Charlevoix County contact information: Tim Smith, Court Administrator, call (231) 547-7214 or by email probatecourt@charlevoixcounty.org. Anyone needing to fax a document to the Charlevoix County court can do so to (231) 547-7256.
   Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
           Signed: Hon. Valerie K. Snyder, 7th Probate District Court Judge

ACCOUNTING / FINANCE

CIVIL COUNSEL / FOIA

ROBERT ENGEL - Civil Counsel
Email: rengel@emmetcounty.org
Phone: (231) 348-1722
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PRISCILLA MEYER - Legal Administrative Assistant
Email: pmeyer@emmetcounty.org
Phone: (231) 348-0678
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FOIA - Requests may be emailed to foia@emmetcounty.org or faxed to (231) 348-1790. Please refer to the county website for more information and guidelines.

CLERK'S OFFICE

SUZANNE KANINE - County Clerk
Email: skanine@emmetcounty.org
Phone: (231) 348-1744
Go to department page on county website
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NOTICE - At this time the Clerk’s Office is operating as normal. However, we continue to encourage the public to make appointments for new CPL applications and fingerprinting. Please call the main line at (231) 348-1744 to make an appointment. We are also encouraging citizens to utilize our online services when applying for marriage licenses. In the event that staff transitions to working remotely, phone messages and emails will be returned as normal.

COMMUNICATIONS

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS

CONSTRUCTION / BUILDING

MARTIE VAN BERLO - Building Dept. Director
Email: pzcr@emmetcounty.org
Main Office Phone: (231) 348-1735
Go to department page on county website
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NOTICE - The Building Department offices, located in the John R. Watson Community Resource Center on M-119, closed to the public on Thursday, Nov. 12, and will remain closed until further notice. However, all staff members and inspectors are working remotely and continuing to handle departmental business Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please review the department's memo to area contractors and permit holders concerning measures taken to comply with the State of Michigan Health Department Directives on the COVID-19 outbreak.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)

EQUALIZATION / GIS

MIKE LARSON - Deputy Director MAAO
Email: mlarson@emmetcounty.org
Main Phone: (231) 348-1708
Go to department page on county website
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NOTICE - The office of the Equalization/GIS Department is open during normal business hours. The staff encourages the public to call or check the EQ/GIS website first before making a trip in to its office. The website has numerous forms and other information available for downloading as well as links to additional resources.

FRIEND OF THE COURT

AMANDA GUARISCO - FOC Director
Email: aguarisco@emmetcounty.org
Phone: (231) 348-1717
Fax: (231) 348-0611
Link to department page on county website
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*MESSAGE FROM FOC STAFF*
   Following a two-month shutdown to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Emmet County Building reopened May 26 and the Friend of the Court office has returned to normal business hours.
   Although payments are being accepted in the office, the Friend of the Court recommends utilizing one of the following methods of payment:
     1) Directly to MiSDU at www.misdu.com. To use this method, you must have your case/docket number (upper right hand corner of your order). There is a fee for using a debit/credit card. The system will automatically disburse your payment to your case. If you have more than one case, include each case number. The system will automatically pro-rate the payment to your cases.
     2) Credit and debit card payments can be made through the Emmet County website at www.emmetcounty.org. If you have more than one case, please make sure you clearly identify which case the money is to be applied. There is a 2.4% fee for this method of payment.
     3) Cash payments can be made at CVS, Family Dollar or 7-11 stores through a program called PayNearMe. Use this phrase with the clerk if you are making a cash payment.
   Children remain our first priority, and families need child support now, more than ever. Support will continue to be charged, collected and disbursed. You can check your account anytime online at www.michigan.gov/MiChildSupport.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING SAFE
ENVIRONMENTS IN ALL COUNTY BUILDINGS

Please stay home if you are sick or experiencing any of the following symptoms:

IMPORTANT COVID-19 RESOURCES

Emmet County Government -- COVID News Releases

WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING SAFE ENVIRONMENTS IN ALL COUNTY BUILDINGS

Please stay home if you are sick or experiencing any of the following symptoms:

IMPORTANT COVID-19 RESOURCES

Emmet County Government -- COVID News Releases

WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING SAFE
ENVIRONMENTS IN ALL COUNTY BUILDINGS