Judicial Branch COVID-19 Task Force

Tasked with recommending emergency directives and policy changes related to the COVID-19 health emergency.

About

The task force will recommend emergency directives and policy changes related to the COVID-19 health emergency to the Chief Justice for consideration. The group will be co-chaired by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Don Bridges and Chief District Court Judge Jay Corpening. The Task Force will work with the conferences and associations within the Judicial Branch to put forward recommendations for future emergency directives, policy changes, and best practices to help courts across the state provide increased levels of service to the public in the coming months.

Task Force Members

  • Don Bridges, Co-Chair, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge, Cleveland and Lincoln Counties
  • Jay Corpening, Co-Chair, Chief District Court Judge, New Hanover and Pender Counties
  • Wayland Sermons, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge; Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Washington, and Tyrrell Counties
  • Teresa Vincent, Chief District Court Judge, Guilford County
  • Billy West, District Attorney, Cumberland County
  • Robert Evans, District Attorney; Nash, Edgecombe, and Wilson Counties
  • Tonya Leggett, Clerk of Superior Court, Martin County
  • Elisa Chinn-Gary, Clerk of Superior Court, Mecklenburg County
  • Kinsley Craig, Trial Court Coordinator, Cleveland and Lincoln Counties
  • Kellie Myers, Trial Court Administrator, Wake County
  • Jason Cheek, Magistrate, Davidson County
  • Jennifer Harjo, Public Defender, New Hanover County
  • John M. McCabe, Attorney, Wake County
  • J. Wade Harrison, Attorney, Alamance and Guilford Counties
  • Patrick Benton Weede, Attorney, Wake County
  • JD Keister, Attorney, Wake County
Task Force Staff
  • Ryan Boyce, NCAOC Deputy Director, Court Programs
  • Trey Allen, NCAOC General Counsel
  • Emily Mehta, NCAOC Research and Policy Associate
  • Sean Callan, NCAOC Research and Policy Associate

Task Force Working Groups

Find working group members, staff, and materials for the

Best Safety Practices Working Group

Technology and Innovations Working Group

Virus Fatigue Working Group

Task Force Recommendations Submitted to the Chief Justice

COVID-19 Task Force Recommendation on Deadline Extensions - May 8, 2020

COVID-19 Task Force Report to the Chief Justice - June 12, 2020

COVID-19 Task Force Second Report to the Chief Justice - June 30, 2020

COVID-19 Field Guidance for Local Judicial Officials - July 24, 2020

Recommendations and Plans from Other Jurisdictions

Protective Measures Chart State Comparisons

Arizona Best Practices and Recommendations

Florida Best Practices Guidelines

Indiana COVID-19 Resuming Trial Court Operations

Michigan Return to Full Capacity Guidelines

Nebraska COVID-19 Recovery and Reconstitution Guidance

Ohio Health and Safety in the Courthouse

Ohio Return to Jury

Vermont Long Term Planning Committee Ramp Up Report

Meetings

Thursday, April 8, 2021

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Via Webex

Thursday, February 25, 2021

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Via Webex

Thursday, January 7, 2021 - CANCELED

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Via Webex

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Via Webex

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Via Webex

Thursday, June 11, 2020

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Via Webex

Thursday, June 4, 2020

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Via Webex

Thursday, May 28, 2020

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Via Webex

Thursday, May 21, 2020

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Via Webex

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Via Webex

Tuesday, May 5, 20202:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Via Webex

Friday, May 1, 202010:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

News

Former Chief Justice Beasley Forms COVID-19 Task Force - April 30, 2020

Model Webex Administrative Order and Forms - January 26, 2022