In a letter sent to the 13^th judicial district, Judge Gary McKenzie said the positive cases of COVID-19 has increased dramatically over the last few weeks. Cases also increased among attorneys, judges, clerk staff and well as other court personnel.

Because of this, the circuit judges of the 13^th judicial district of Tennessee filed an order to temporarily suspend in person court proceedings. That order was granted. It will include, but not limited to municipal, juvenile, general sessions and state trials. The exceptions include proceedings pertaining to bond related matters and plea agreements, orders of protection, emergency child custody orders, DCS emergency matters related to child protection, petitions for temporarily injunctive relief, emergency mental health orders, emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons, and other exceptions approved by the presiding judge of the 13^th judicial district.

Judges and court clerk offices will remain open during this temporary suspension

This order signed by Judge Ronald Thurman, presiding judge over the 13^th district, will go into effect at the end of the business day tomorrow (Friday, December 18, 2020) and is scheduled to expire at 8 a.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

The 13^th judicial district includes the counties of Clay, Cumberland, Dekalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White.