Earlier today, Chief Justice Cheri Beasley entered an order implementing measures designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 and minimize the risk of exposure caused by crowded sessions of court. Consistent with the Chief Justice’s order, effective Monday, March 16, superior court and district court proceedings of the Tenth Judicial District (Wake County) will be rescheduled for at least 30 days, with limited exceptions, which appear on the following pages.

The emergency directive of the Chief Justice does not apply to proceedings in which a jury has already been empaneled and it does not prohibit a judge or other judicial officer from exercising in chambers or ex parte jurisdiction conferred by law upon that judge or judicial officer, as provided by law. Additionally, the emergency directive does not extend filing and other deadlines.

Court offices in the Wake County Courthouse and Justice Center will remain open for business. However, unless you are required to appear in-person to conduct your business, attorneys and the public are strongly encouraged to use email and telephone to communicate with staff of the Tenth Judicial District.

Local judicial officials have made decisions regarding local court proceedings, including the clerk of superior court, magistrate and small claims, district courts (civil and criminal), superior courts (civil and criminal), and more.

Read the memo for details.