The Wayne County 36th District Court announced that it will be closed today, Jan. 31, due to the polar vortex forecasted for the area and pursuant to the court's Local Administrative Order 2017-01, Unscheduled Court Closing.
The court said in a statement that it carefully considered the safety and welfare of the staff, the bench, the public and justice system partners. With temperatures expected to reach record-breaking lows and frigid wind chills as low as 45 degrees below zero, it was determined to be the right and proper decision to close.
"We are very different from other, smaller district courts," said Court Administrator Kelli Moore Owen. "Our staff must park off-site and walk several blocks to get to work. Likewise, individuals who have business with the court must also walk several blocks from neighboring parking structures and lots to get to our building. Many litigants also rely on public transportation. For those people, exposure to the frigid temperature is dangerous, and that was the main factor in deciding to close our court."
In-Custody Felony Arraignments will be conducted at noon by the assigned magistrate during the court closure. All other cases scheduled for today will be rescheduled and new Notices to Appear will be mailed by the court.
Visit the court's website at http://www.36thdistrictcourt.org/ for further details, including the court's schedule.
Published: Thu, Jan 31, 2019
