COVID-19 and the Courts

These are challenging times for all of us as we dodge the threat of COVID-19 in Lafayette and Acadiana. We take the threat of this virus seriously and are self-distancing and adhering to advice about limiting face-to-face contact here at Joseph Joy and Associates in Lafayette. However, are legal team is still available to evaluate your personal injury claim via telephone 337-232-8123. Or, you may contact our lawyers through our website.

Accidents happen despite the threat of the Coronovirus. Given the fact that police officers and first responders are overwhelmed right now, there is a serious chance that investigation of your personal injury claim might be incomplete. Now more than ever, if you or a loved one is injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, call our personal injury lawyers as soon as possible so we can advise you.

Below is a listing of court closures and postponements while we follow governmental directives to take self-distance precautions. However, our personal injury lawyers will still be working on client cases, poring through documents and discovery, negotiating settlements, talking to experts and making sure our clients’ rights are protected.

Note: If you have any questions or a case that may prescribe, call our office immediately for up-to-the-minute advice.  Timelines and court announcements are changing frequently.

Below are excerpts regarding closures from some of the courts in Lafayette and Acadiana. Things are changing rapidly so be sure and call our office should you have any questions. This blog post does not  establish an attorney-client relationship.

Federal Court – Western District of Louisiana

All United States Court Houses in Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport will remain open for business, subject to certain limitations outlined in this order.

Individual judges may continue to hold in-person hearings, sentencing proceedings and conferences, but counsel may seek relief from those matters by appropriate mo

tions. The parties are encouraged to seek to participate in non-sentencing hearings and conferences by telephone or video. This Order does not impact any court’s consideration of particular matters on the papers alone.

Many employees, including some of chambers staff, will be teleworking, but they will be accessible by phone. Electronic filings may continue to be made through the CM/ECF system.

Unless extended, this Order will remain in effect through May 1, 2020, and will then expire.

Louisiana Supreme Court

All jury trials, both civil and criminal, scheduled to commence in any Louisiana state court between the date of this Order and March 27, 2020, are hereby continued to a date to be reset by local order no earlier than March 30, 2020. Civil and criminal jury trials that are in progress as of March 13, 2020 may continue to conclusion, in the discretion of the local court. 2. Except as otherwise provided herein, all civil trials, hearings and court appearances set for any date between the date of this Order and March 27, 2020 are hereby continued to a date to be reset by local order, except for hearings related to the following: civil protective orders, child in need of care proceedings, emergency child custody matters, proceedings for children removed from their home by emergency court order, proceedings related to emergency interdictions and mental health orders, matters of public health related to this crisis and other emergency matters necessary to protect the health, safety and liberty of individuals as determined by each court.

15th Judicial Court for the Parishes of Acadia, Vermilion and Lafayette

All trials and hearings set for any date between March 16 and March 27, 2020 are hereby continued and will be rescheduled by Order EXCEPT on Monday, March 16, 2020 juvenile hearings in Vermilion Parish, Child in Need of Care cases in Lafayette Parish and criminal matters in Acadia Parish will go forward as scheduled.

I urge you to follow the public health instructions of federal, state and local officials as we protect ourselves and our communities against COVID 19. If during this time of self-distancing you happen to sustain injury or know someone who has been injured due someone else’s negligence, contact us at Joseph Joy and Associates in Lafayette and we’ll assess your case. Call us at (337) 232-8123 for an appointment.