Joplin Municipal Court announces new guidelines as it reopens

(From the City of Joplin)

Due to the public health emergency of Coronavirus-19, Joplin’s Municipal Court hearings for defendants not in custody were postponed from mid- March until most recently. As hearings begin in Municipal Court, 303 East 3rd Street in Joplin, the public should note the requirements and provisions set forth in Jasper County Circuit Court Administrative Order 2020-11.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, effective May 16, 2020, and until further order of this Court, that the following persons shall not enter this Court/Court Building:

Persons who have traveled to any foreign country within the last 14 days;

Persons who reside or have had close contact with someone who has traveled to any foreign country within the last 14 days;

Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency;

Persons who have been diagnosed with, or have had contact with, anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; and

Persons with unexplained fever, cough or shortness of breath.




Any attorney or party shall immediately notify the Court if they reasonably suspect that a participant in any proceeding authorized by this Administrative Order may come within any of the above listed categories. Anyone attempting to enter in violation of these protocols will be denied entry by Court security.

These restrictions shall remain in place until it is determined to be safe to remove them. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

The public is also advised of the following restrictions and preventative measures being taken by the Joplin Municipal Court:

THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, effective May 16, 2020, the following restrictions and preventative measures will be enforced in the Joplin Municipal Court:
All those being checked into the court room will undergo a temperature check.
Members of the public who are not involved in a court proceeding will not be allowed to accompany court litigants to their proceedings and will remain outside of the Court Building.
Occupancy rates in courtrooms and jury assembly rooms are to be 10 or less whenever possible and operate under strict social distancing protocols. Hallways, courtrooms, and jury assembly rooms will be marked with blue tape and/or other markings to clearly define six-foot distances where practical.
The use of masks or face coverings by attorneys, parties, witnesses, or victims is required. All court personnel are to use masks or face coverings upon leaving their individual office space and entering public areas. Those who do not have a mask will be provided a mask.

If anyone has questions about this Order and/or the preventative measures, please contact Court Administrator Lamonte Ratcliff at 417-627-2930.

For guidance on COVID-19 go to www.joplinmo.org/coronavirus or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html