The Rock County Board of Judges has a new circuit court operating plan for reopening in-person hearings during the pandemic.

Similar to the county’s re-opening guidelines, the plan for court consists of four phases.

Rock County courts are currently in phase one with no in-person hearings. All public court matters are being done remotely using video conferencing and streaming live on YouTube.

The subsequent phases would allow for more in-person activities and hybrid hearings, but the judges are working on a separate plan for jury trials, which offer greater challenges for physical distancing.

Chief Judge Daniel Dillon said the county is working to acquire enough masks and personal protective equipment for the thousands of weekly visitors the courthouse would normally see, and he anticipates the courts to move slowly between their phases of reopening.

The county will also be installing sanitation improvements including an air ionization system and a thermal temperature scanner.

The most prominent, upcoming jury trial on the calendar is the second homicide trial of 23-year-old Julian Collazo scheduled for September 14.

Judge Barbara McCrory expects that trial to proceed as planned unless a significant unforeseen issue arises before then.

You can download and read Rock County’s full 25-page court operating plan here.