Kalamazoo County courts to reopen with restrictions

Kalamazoo County’s courts will restart in-person business, including trials, on June 8, according to a phase one reopening plan filed with the state supreme court.

Every court in the state is required to submit phased reopening plans to the Michigan Supreme Court for approval. Kalamazoo’s plan indicates it has met its own criteria for reopening.

However, Kalamazoo’s Probate Court, 8th District Court, and 9th Circuit Courts aren’t returning to normal just yet. Most business will still be conducted virtually. That includes trials and other legal hearings, which have been conducted online since last month.

When a hearing has to be done in-person, the courtroom will be limited to ten people.

In addition, anyone visiting the court buildings will have to wear a mask and will be screened before entering.

Court administrators are working on a phase two plan, which they expect to implement by June 22.

You can read the full plan here.