General Orders of Division II

RESCINDED - 2020-3 Response by the Court of Appeals, Division 2 to the Public Health Emergency in Washington (Rescinded)

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, DIVISION II

On February 29, 2020, Governor Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Washington; and

On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak across the United States; and

On March 4, 2020 Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens entered an Emergency Order authorizing the Presiding Judges of the Washington courts to take all necessary steps to address the current public health emergency. This Emergency Order incorporates that order by reference.

During this state of emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Washington State Department of Health strongly urge all organizations to impose social distancing measures and other restrictions on public gatherings.

Pursuant to the Court’s authority to administer justice and to ensure the safety of court personnel, litigants and the public,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1.  Effective March 20, 2020, the offices of the Court of Appeals, Division 2 will be closed to the public until May 5, 2020, unless otherwise ordered by this court.  All business with the court shall continue using the telephone, email, regular mail, and other available means that do not require physical entry of the public into the offices of the court.  See the Appendix for contact information.

2.  Oral arguments for the April 2020 and May 2020 docket are cancelled.  Those cases will be decided on the briefs without argument unless the parties notify the court that oral argument is essential to their case.  In that event, the court will attempt to make other arrangements to hear oral argument on those cases.  These arrangements may include delaying argument or conducting argument by telephone. 

3.  Unless otherwise ordered by this court, all hearings held before the Commissioners of this court through May 29 shall be conducted telephonically. 

4.  All of the court’s orders requiring in-court hearings in trial courts are suspended or tolled until those courts are back in full operations.

                                              Dated this ____ day of March, 2020. 

                                                   Chief Judge Bradley A. Maxa

                                                   Court of Appeals, Division 2

APPENDIX

CONTACT INFORMATION:

1.  Our main telephone number is (253) 593-2970

2.  Our email address is coa2@courts.wa.gov

3.  Filings can be made by

         a)  Appellate Court Portal:   https://ac.courts.wa.qov/index.cf

         b)  U.S. Mail: Court of Appeals, Division II

                              950 Broadway, Suite 300

                              Tacoma, WA 98402

         c)  Mail slot at the Clerk’s Office