Court changes & Closures: Washington and idaho

Due to the extreme measures being put into place to contain the COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus, Courts are not operating as they normally are. If you are an active client, we will update you directly. We'll try to keep updating this list as things change. 

Note that just because hearings are delayed or courts are closed, other litigation and case deadlines have not changed at this point. Discovery (written questions and document production, depositions) and related deadlines remind. Statutes of limitation to file a case have not changed. You can still open new cases and file motions.

Idaho Federal Courts (Federal District & Bankruptcy): These courts are almost exclusively electronic (or eFile). Hearings will be telephonic or moved. The Courts have posted limitations to who can enter the physical buildings. If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is and/or if you have been traveling abroad, you cannot enter the physical courthouses.

Washington Federal Courts (Federal District & Bankruptcy): Like Idaho, these courts are primarily electronic (or eFile). Most hearings are already telephonic, so that will not change. Bankruptcy meetings of creditors may be postponed. If you are sick, do not physically enter the courthouse. No travel restrictions have been posted.

Idaho State Courts: All civil & family law hearings may be held telephonically or postponed based on the Judge's sole discretion. You will be notified by the Court. Hearings for domestic violence, child custody, and other emergencies shall be held telephonically, if possible. Eviction hearings are postponed. Lawyers must eFile and pro se (parties without lawyers) litigants can register to eFile or use special dropboxes. You cannot enter the Court if you are sick or have recently traveled to certain places. These changes are in place until at least April 10, 2020. More info can be found here: https://isc.idaho.gov/files/COVID-19-Order.pdf. 

Washington State Courts: Changes vary greatly across the 39 Counties. All counties have asked people who are sick to stay home or reschedule your hearing date. For Spokane County Superior Court specifically, the following changes are in place:

• Jury trials moved to at least May 6, 2020; Bench trials (judge only) moved to at least April 13, 2020.C
• Civil motions will be decided on the briefs or via phone only hearings - this is the Judge's sole choice.
• Family law docket will hear live only emergency motions (for example emergency custody issues, move out orders). Non-emergency motions will be stricken, postponed, decided on the briefs, or held by phone at the judge or commission's sole choice.
• Non-contested divorce & legal separation hearings to enter your final orders are postponed until at least April 24, 2020.
• Ex parte, non-emergency motions should be handled by mail with the $30 fee. Emergency ex parte motions are still being held.
  
• Child support modification hearings are postponed until April 27, 2020.
  
• Eviction & unlawful detainer hearings are moved until at least April 13, 2020.

Other Washington County info can be found here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/index.cfm?fa=home.courtClosures

Appellate courts (Washington & Idaho): Divisions 1-3, Supreme Courts, and the 9th Circuit have not changed any deadlines. Oral arguments on motions may be moved or delayed. 

We are here to answer your questions and will update this as things change.

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