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1. How do I know if the courts are open for a particular proceeding?

Essential functions are set forth in the 4/24/20 Emergency Order of Court

2. Will my documents be considered timely? What about time calculations?

Per the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Order issued In Re: General Statewide Judicial Emergency on April 1, 2020, “legal papers or pleadings which are required to be filed between March 19 and April 30, 2020, SHALL BE DEEMED to have been timely filed if they are filed by May 1, 2020 or on a later date as permitted by the appellate or local court in question upon consideration of the potential volume of such filings.”  4/1/20 Supreme Court Order at p. 3.

3. What about conferences, diversionary programs, discovery motions?

Per the April 3, 2020 Order of Court setting forth essential functions in Westmoreland County, issued by President Judge Rita Donovan Hathaway, hearings and conferences will be rescheduled.  However, Drug Treatment Court and Veterans Court will be conducted via use of videoconference or telephonically.  In some cases, the judge hearing your case may be receptive to handling it through use of advanced communication technology.  You may request such video or telephonic conference through the assigned judge.  4/3/20 Westmoreland County Essential Functions Order at pp.  3-4..

4. What do I do if I want to make payment on my case at the magisterial district court?

Per the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Order issued In Re: General Statewide Judicial Emergency on March 17, 2020, “Payments rendered to the Magisterial District Courts SHALL NOT BE MADE IN PERSON but may be accepted by mail, electronically (online) or by telephone as may be permissible in the magisterial district court receiving the payment.  Until further notice, Westmoreland County continues to adhere to this directive.

5. Can I evict someone/will I be evicted?

Per the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Order issued In Re: General Statewide Judicial Emergency on March 17, 2020, “during the period encompassed by this Order or the judicial emergency, whichever is longer, no officer, official or other person employed by the Pennsylvania Judiciary at any level shall effectuate an eviction, ejectment or other displacement from a residence based upon the failure to make a rent, loan or other similar payment. . .  [A]ny execution on an order of possession is stayed to a date on or after April 3, 2020, subject to further orders.”  By order of the Supreme Court dated April 1, 2020, these provisions have been extended through April 30, 2020.  4/1/20 Pennsylvania Supreme Court Order at p. 6.