Sheriff’s Office, courts announce virus-related changes
Workers at the Flathead County Justice Center aren’t immune from the effects of COVID-19, or coronavirus, as they have implemented several measures to minimize potential exposure.
The Sheriff’s Office announced the following steps which take place immediately:
• Limiting Sheriff’s Office front window contacts and services, including but not limited to the temporary suspension of concealed weapons permits, fingerprinting and vehicle identification inspection inspections.
• Sex offender registrations will continue in accordance with law.
• For concealed weapon permits, if it is delinquent as a result of the offices’ limited services, late fees will be waived.
• For law enforcement officers, there will be a limited patrol response to calls for service where no crime has been committed and there are no safety or security concerns present.
• Citizens are also encouraged to make reports on cold crimes (crime did not just occur and no suspects are present) by phone. Deputies will make a determination regarding any evidence and collect it accordingly.
“The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office will continue to aggressively patrol our community to provide for the safety and security of our citizens, however, we are taking the above precautions to both limit exposure and the potential of carrying and passing of COVID-19,” Sheriff Brian Heino said. “We will keep the public informed regarding any changes our office makes and when we restore services to normal.”
In the detention center, there is a temporary suspension of jail visitation and programs. Video visiting remains in place.
Jail inmates are allowed two free phone calls per week to stay in touch with families, according to Jail Commander Jennifer Grande.
“We are taking inmates temperatures at intakes, as well as before we move them to the general population,” Grande said. “We have stopped taking any inmates from other counties.”
The Clerk of Courts Office and Justice Court have also altered operations.
People are asked to not appear at the Justice Center unless absolutely necessary. Motions to appear telephonically at Flathead County District Court hearings will be granted whenever possible.
Documents should be emailed to the Clerk or sent via U.S. Mail — the statutory emailing fee will be waived until further notice.
Judges in the Montana 11th Judicial District Court also issued a statement about COVID-19 in an effort to limit exposure of members of the public, attorneys, and court staff.
The District Court, at least until April 30, has implemented the following procedures:
• Any civil jury trial scheduled to go to trial before April 30, will be continued to the next available date. This will impact Judge Amy Eddy’s civil jury term beginning April 6, and Judge Robert Allison’s civil jury term beginning April 20.
• Any criminal jury trial scheduled to go to trial before April 30, will be continued upon request. This may impact Judge Dan Wilson’s criminal jury term beginning April 6, and Judge Heidi Ulbricht’s criminal jury term beginning April 20.
• Parties should file motions to continue any non-essential hearings. To the extent possible, participation by telephone or videoconference will be required for any essential hearings.
• Effective immediately, all attorneys filing documents in cases not supported by e-filing (DA, DP, DG and Orders of Protection) shall email the documents to flatheadclerkofcourt@flathead.mt.gov.
• Effective immediately, all self-represented litigants are required (to the extent possible) to file the documents electronically by emailing the documents to flatheadclerkofcourt@flathead.mt.gov.
Citizens are asked to not come to the courthouse unless necessary.
District Court Judges issued the following statement:
“We appreciate your flexibility coordinating with us during this time when everyone’s patience is essential. We hope you understand this situation is a challenge to all of us, and our primary concern is to avoid and minimize serious risks. We understand, in turn, that litigants’ resolution of their legal problems is a highest priority and we are committed to maintaining access to the courts.”
The Flathead City-County Health Department has established an information-only hotline for the community to learn updates, which can be reached at 406-751-8188.
A website has also been established which provides guidance to the general public and to various audiences: https://flatheadhealth.org/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/.
“The safety and health of our community is top priority,” Heino said. “Working in the incident command structure for COVID-19 ensures consistent communication and collaboration among all partners involved.”
For more information on COVID-19 visit the state response website at https://covid19.mt.gov/
Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.