The law provides that General Sessions Court is open to the public, whether it is criminal, civil, or juvenile delinquent matters. The juvenile dependence and neglect matters are closed to the public to protect the privacy of the juvenile. but we have now an additional layer of complexity called COVID.  In addition to that, we have guidelines on what to do with COVID and how to conduct court, trying to stop the spread of COVID. So what that means is, we may still limit who comes in the courtroom if there is the potential to spread COVID or expose somebody to COVID. Inmates don't come in the courtroom anymore. They are connected mostly by Zoom unless we have a hearing to that particular one inmate. We try to spread people around in the courtroom to create social distancing.  Depending on how many defendants we have on the docket, we might not allow supporters to come into the courtroom because we have to allow for court staff and defendants' witnesses to have enough space in the courtroom to protect everyone as much as we can.

No!  We have medical checks downstairs at the point of entry to look for signs of exposure or having COVID and checking temperatures so if you are turned down to enter the Courthouse that morning, you can either have a continuance order or have a Zoom opportunity.  You can go to your car, house, whatever, and hop on a link with your cell phone and still have your hearing. That is always available at this point. So if anybody is interested, all they have to do is ask that be given to them.

While the court prefers to have 24-48 hours notice, it's not set in stone because if they come in that morning not realizing they have that option, and see the people in the courtroom, and they don't feel comfortable, perhaps they are afraid of being exposed to someone else with COVID, they can choose on the spot to have a Zoom session link or get a continuance.  Judge Moore may ask them to leave immediately because if they say, "I don't feel well and my husband has been tested, but we don't have the results back yet," Judge Moore doesn't want them to stay and infect anyone else. 

The court system encourages the courts to hold sessions remotely as can be done. So Zoom court schedules are often part of what is done.  The courts received grants to update the audio and video systems that help hold Zoom hearings whenever needed, and anybody is welcome to have a Zoom hearing if they are afraid to come into the courtroom in person. All they have to do is request a Zoom meeting through the assistant to Judge Moore, Ms. Taylor Qualls, (931) 589-5317, or the Circuit Court Clerk's office, (931) 589-2218, and a link can be given to them.  If you know in advance, you can call Ms. Taylor Qualls.