IN RE: ADMINISTRATIVE RULE 17 EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR INDIANA TRIAL COURTS RELATING TO the 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19). (2021)

Order Extending Authority for Expanded Remote Hearings

On May 13, 2020, in response to the ongoing public health emergency, this Court issued an “Emergency Order Permitting Expanded Remote Proceedings” that, among other things, modified Indiana Administrative Rule 14 to allow broader use of telephone and audiovisual telecommunication to conduct remote court proceedings. And this Court's November 10 “Order on Continued Emergency Actions” extended that authority until July 1, 2021.

Although courts should make it a priority to resume holding hearings live and in-person when conditions safely permit, the Court finds that public health conditions will likely require trial courts to retain expanded authority for remote hearings beyond July 1, and until the formal process to amend Administrative Rule 14 is complete.

Being duly advised, the Court ORDERS that the May 13, 2020 “Emergency Order Permitting Expanded Remote Proceedings” shall remain in effect until further order of the Court.