The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an order declaring a statewide judicial emergency through Tuesday, April 14. In York County, the judicial center and county and legal aid offices related to the administration of justice are closed to the general public while operating and handling emergency matters.
Members of the public currently involved in legal proceedings are asked to stay in contact with their attorneys for updates as the situation evolves. The courts will provide advisements of continuances and cancelations via mail and automated calls.
Members of the public in need of legal services for new matters have several options. For all legal matters, individuals may contact the York County Bar Association for help in connecting with an attorney at 717-854-8755, ext. 201, or info@yorkbar.com on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and low-income residents who need civil legal services should call MidPenn Legal Services at 717-848-3605 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Individuals may also visit the Court Self-Help and Law Resource Center online at https://yorkcountypa.gov/courts-criminal-justice/self-help-center.html or contact CourtSelfHelp@YorkCountyPA.gov. The self-help center is closed for all purposes except assisting protection from abuse plaintiffs who cannot be assisted by the advocates' office.
York County Judicial Center operations are limited to critical functions in an effort to keep the number of individuals who are coming into the facility to a minimum for 30 days. Judges will use advance technology whenever possible with the goal of limiting the number of people in the courtroom to 12 individuals.
Only those matters that are required by statute to be held within a certain time period as well as matters deemed an emergency by a judge will be held. These include requests for protection from abuse, indirect criminal contempt hearings, bench warrants, certain juvenile matters, emergency guardianships, involuntary commitments, and injunctions.
The court stated it would not entertain evictions and ejectments until at least April 3. The order did not prevent a landlord from requesting an order for possession where a judgment had already been entered. Orders for possession, if granted, would not be executed until April 3 or later.
Appointments for marriage license applications and probate of wills and estates are available virtually. For more information about changes to services through the York County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court, readers may call 717-771-9288 to discuss the Orphans' Court and marriage licenses, 717-771-9258 about emergency petitions for guardianship, or 717-771-9607 for assistance with wills and estates.
The Recorder of Deeds office is also closed to the public. The office will continue to process recordings, and e-recordings are preferred. The office is accepting documents mailed to the office with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to return recorded documents. UPS and FedEx are still delivering packages. There is a drop box for walk-ins located inside the main administrative center doors.
The public is advised that circumstances may change at any time, and additional changes and limitations are expected.
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