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SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — The COVID-19 coronavirus crisis has caused many changes in the last week, from schools and colleges suspending face-to-face classes to businesses changing hours or closing their doors. It has also caused area governments and courts to change their operations.

Perhaps the biggest change the public will see is that access to county buildings in both Berrien and Cass counties is being limited. Many court proceedings, including civil jury trials and criminal jury trials where defendants are not in custody, are being adjourned to after May 1.

Berrien County Chief Trial Judge Mabel Mayfield and Cass County Chief Judge Susan Dobrich both issued directives Tuesday about court operations and public access to county buildings in the wake of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Judge Dobrich, in conjunction with other Cass County officials, announced the closure of the Cass County Administration Building and the Cass County Law and Courts Building. They said plans are being implemented to reduce the volume of people interacting with county staff and to make more services available via other means.

The County Administration Building was closed to the public starting Wednesday. However, appointments can be made by advanced notice via telephone to county offices. County residents are encouraged to visit the casscountymi.org website to make payments and get updated information. A drop box for payments and further guidance is on the outside of the building.

The Law and Courts Building will also be closed with limited public access. Emergency matters will be processed and more guidance about court proceedings is available on the county and court websites.

Filings and pleadings can be submitted via email or regular mail during the court building’s closure. Those emails are: ccfileroom@cassco.ore (for Circuit Court), fourthdc@cassco.org (for District Court), kelleyj@cassco.org (for Probate Court), leighf@cassco.org (for Juvenile Court), and foc@cassco.org (for Friend of the Court).

Dobrich said protocols have been developed that provide details on how Cass County Courts’ various operations will be conducted and how emergencies will be processed, including but not limited to arraignments, bonds, in-custody sentencings, PPO’s, Probate, Friend of the Court, District Court Probation, and the like. As this situation is constantly evolving, additional protocols will be created as necessary to address newly identified issues.

Judge Mayfield’s directive limits public access to the two county courthouses in Niles and St. Joseph. They will remain open to serve the public but will limit courthouse activities and entrance to the two buildings.

Only individuals who are a party to a case or proceeding will be allowed inside the buildings. Individuals with general inquiries must call in advance and will be seen by appointment only.

All jury trials will be adjourned past May 4 except for cases with incarcerated defendants. Contested domestic relations hearings and all criminal hearings will continue as scheduled, she ordered.

People given a date to appear for arraignment by law enforcement should call the phone number given on their summons to reschedule an arraignment date. All non-misdemeanor traffic cases or civil infractions will be handled online or by phone.

Court payments will also be handled online, by mail or by phone. In addition, probation reporting will be handled on an individual basis with probation officers. Court ordered drug testing will be suspended until further notice.

The county’s Self-Help Legal Resource Center will be closed to the public until May 4 but can be accessed via telephone or email.

Requests to adjourn proceedings can be made via phone or emails to the relevant departments. Their emails include FOC@berriencounty.org, clerk@berriencounty.org, traffic@berriencounty.org, misdemeanor@berriencounty.org, LRC@berriencounty.org, civil@berriencounty.org, probation@berriencounty.org, and juvenilintake@berriencounty.org.