The Unified Government announced today that Kansas City, Kansas, Municipal Court will be closed at least until Monday, July 6, because of a potential COVID-19 exposure.
According to UG officials, the potential exposure happened after the court reopened on June 15.
Administrative Judge Brandelyn Nichols-Brajkovic issued an administrative order including several directives:
• Court hearings will resume by appointment only, Monday through Wednesday, beginning on Monday, July 6.
• For those who had a court appearance, hearing, or trial scheduled during this closure, the Kansas City, Kansas, Municipal Court will contact persons by mail with a new court setting.
• People registered with the myWyCo app will be able to receive information about rescheduled court dates through the app.
• Walk-up business will resume at the clerk’s window located in the lobby of City Hall (701 N. 7th St.) on July 6. Hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
• The Municipal Court will remain closed on Thursdays and Fridays through Friday, July 24. Beginning on Monday, July 27, the court will reopen from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• All court hearings will comply with social distancing requirements as adopted by the Wyandotte County Health Officer. Everyone will be required to wear masks – covering both nose and mouth – while conducting business with the Kansas City, Kansas, Municipal Court.
• Bonds on Kansas City, Kansas, Municipal Court Cases will be posted at the Wyandotte County Jail, in accordance with current policy when the court is closed.
In spite of this temporary closure, court officials emphasized that many interactions with the court can be conducted online at wycokck.org/Municipal. Through this site, the public can:
• Download the myWyCo app, through which they can pay municipal court tickets, and set a court date and payment reminders.
• Request a video hearing
• Connect with Unified Government Digital Services
• Check court dates or balances
• Request certified records
• Submit something to the court
• Request a continuance
• View administrative operations or jail orders
“As a court, we continue to be nimble in our response to the changes the pandemic brings,” Crystal Sprague, court administrator, said. “We are ready to get back to work and serve the citizens who have business with us, but not at the expense of the public’s health or peace of mind. We encourage Wyandotte County residents to visit wycokck.org/Municipal to explore the wide range of services and day-to-day business they can conduct with the court online – you’ll be surprised to see how much you can do virtually. We are committed to expanding these remote services, not just now, but into the future.”
In addition to the issuance of the administrative order 20-05, Municipal Court officials reported that the prolonged court closure, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has created a significant backlog in addressing court cases. To ease these delays, court officials have reviewed the caseload and have dismissed some cases.
Those who have questions about the Municipal Court’s temporary closing, may visit wycokck.org/Municipal, call 3-1-1, or email the Municipal Court at [email protected].
- Information from Unified Government