As everyone is aware, Mecklenburg County has issued a stay at home order, with various exceptions and guidelines. One of those exceptions is related to essential business, which includes Professional services. Inclusive within the Professional Services exception is legal, which includes law firms.
Mecklenburg County's Stay at Home Orders can be reviewed in further detail here.
Jetton & Meredith continues to be available to meet with clients in the office, on a limited basis, as well as conduct phone calls and virtual meetings. Our attorneys and support staff are also available to communicate with clients by email, are able to send and receive mail and are otherwise operational.
In response to the national state of emergency, North Carolina's Judicial Branch has activated its public health emergency policy. The Clerk of Superior Court's Office has reduced its hours of operation and staff availability and will be open to the public Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (noon). The public is strongly encouraged to visit their office during these morning hours. Emergency and essential filings* will be accepted by the clerk staff between the hours of 12:00 p.m. (noon) and 5:00 p.m., at the Criminal Magistrate's Office located at 801 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.
This schedule will be in effect for 30 days (effective 03/19/2020), but may be extended, in whole or in part, if deemed necessary. Please direct any questions or concerns to the hotline for the Clerk's Office at: MeckCourtHotline@nccourts.org .
*Involuntary commitment hearings, guardianship hearings, and pressing estate administration matters should be conducted, but other matters before the clerk, such as foreclosures and other special proceedings, must be postponed. All civil and criminal district and superior court matters must be postponed unless they are absolutely essential for constitutional or public safety reasons. Emergency directives allow proceeding for the purpose of obtaining emergency relief (e.g., a domestic violence protection order, temporary restraining order, juvenile custody order, judicial consent to juvenile medical treatment order, civil commitment order, etc.).
We will continue to monitor this evolving situation, and current restrictions that may change from day to day. We are available for any questions you may have in the interim.