CIRCLEVILLE – The Circleville Municipal Court was recently awarded a $13,000.00 remote technology grant from the Ohio Supreme Court.
Ohio’s highest court created the grant with a focus on the purchase of equipment
necessary to quickly facilitate remote access for local Ohio courts. This funding opportunity is due to the emergency need caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Circleville Municipal Court will use the funds to upgrade the current video conferencing system used to conduct jail proceedings, to purchase additional camera phones to allow attorneys to speak confidentially with clients in custody, and to secure laptops with built-in cameras to enable the Judicial Executive Team to communicate and work remotely.
Judge Elisa Peters said that updating technology is an important component in
maintaining court operations. “The Circleville Municipal Court has developed an operational plan in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Our court continues to work closely with the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Department to conduct daily arraignments, preliminary hearings, pretrial conferences and probation violation hearings remotely for individuals in the jail. Remote hearings allow us to continue essential court services, protect the public health and provide access to justice. I appreciate the Ohio Supreme Court’s assistance in this endeavor.”
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor announced on March 19 that the
court would be releasing $4 million in emergency grants to local courts to assist with the
implementation of video conferencing technology.
