Declaration of Judicial Emergency

Court Unavailability and Emergency Measures

The Blair County Court of Common Pleas has declared a judicial emergency due to the court being unavailable for filing specific petitions. This declaration applies to protection from abuse, sexual violence and intimidation, and abuse of elderly petitions.

• Affected Petitions: Protection from abuse (PFA), sexual violence and intimidation, and abuse of elderly.
• Unavailable Period: The court was unavailable from April 14, 2020, through June 11, 2020.
• Extended Unavailability: The court will remain unavailable for these filings until no later than Monday, June 22, 2020.

Alternative Filing Procedures

During the period of unavailability, all applications for the affected petitions must be handled by Blair County Magisterial District Judges.

• Procedure: Filings will follow procedures previously established during the pandemic and judicial emergency.
• Duration: These alternative procedures remain in effect until June 22, 2020, unless the Court of Common Pleas extends the timeline.
• Early Reopening: If the Court of Common Pleas becomes available before June 22, it will communicate its availability directly to the Magisterial District Judges.

Post-Issuance Requirements

For emergency protection orders issued by Magisterial District Judges (M. D. J's) during this period:

• Forwarding: All orders must be forwarded to the protection from abuse office at the Blair County Courthouse.
• Petitioner Notification: The petitioner must be advised to contact the PFA office by telephone no later than 11:00 AM on the next business day.

Signatory

This declaration was issued by Elizabeth A. Doyle, P. J. on June 11, 2020.