DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — All in-person proceedings and jury trials are suspended in DeKalb County until April, the court announced Wednesday night.
An order from the Superior Court of DeKalb County cites a ruptured pipe that caused extensive water damage to the Judicial Tower at the courthouse along North McDonough Street in Decatur. For now, court personnel is prohibiting access to the courthouse to allow repairs to happen quickly.
All in-person proceedings and jury trials are suspended until April 3 to help make way for repairs. The order comes almost three weeks after a flash freeze wreaked havoc on metro Atlanta pipes, causing areas of DeKalb County to be under a boil water order and crews to rush in and fix leaks.
The court order details that offices in the Judicial Tower will operate remotely with services delivered in a similar fashion.
Authorization to enter the courthouse will be granted under limited circumstances, according to the order -- the only exception would be so grand jury indictments can be returned in open court.
"The Clerk of Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court will continue to provide services virtually and remotely," an alert on DeKalb County's court website said.
Those who have received a notice of an in-person hearing are asked to contact the judge's chambers or administrative office.
