(Press Release)

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared a statewide judicial emergency and ordered all county courthouses closed to the public until April 3.

Though some core court functions — such as arraignments, bail and protection from abuse hearings and emergency civil proceedings — will continue, members of the public will be barred.

The court’s justices acknowledged the step they were taking was extreme in light of the standard presumption that the legal system should be open to the public, but they cited advice from the state’s Department of Health.

“This court is cognizant of the nature of court proceedings, during which individuals who may be carrying the virus with or without symptoms — including court staff, attorneys, litigants, other court participants and members of the public — may come into proximity with other persons,” the court wrote in its order.