All Miami-Dade Courts are going to remain closed except for the most critical cases at least through mid-April due to the 
coronavirus outbreak and community spread of COVID19.
The criminal courthouse needs a deep cleaning anyway after it was determined this week that two of the three county corrections officers who tested positive for COVID19 had spent time in several courtrooms in the days before they where tested.
Anyone who may have been at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, 1351 NW 12 Street, in the following courtrooms on the following dates are urged to remain alert for symptoms — fever, cough or difficulty breathing — take their temperature twice a day, self-isolate and limit contact with others for the next 14 days:
- March 16: Courtroom 2-7, in front of Judge Marlene Fernandez-Karavetsos
- March 17: Courtroom 2-7, in front of Judge Laura Cruz and Courtroom 3-2, in front of Judge Andrea Wolfson
- March 18: Courtroom 2-7, in front of Judge Cruz and Courtroom 7-2, in front of Judge Alberto Milian
- March 19: Courtroom 2-7, in front of Judge Cruz
Anyone who had business in these courtrooms on these dates are also recommended to seek advice from a doctor or their local health care department to determine if a medical examination is needed. The self-monitoring steps are outlined in the Centers for Disease Control website.
Read related: Week 2 of Miami-Dade COVID19 crisis brings more testing, more regulations
Chief Judge Bertila Soto, extended the postponement of all but emergency proceedings through April 17. All 
deadlines on judicial orders in family, domestic violence, dependency, probate, small claims, traffic, bond forfeiture and appellate proceedings are further suspended through April 20. Because those extensions on deadlines started March 13, parties are given another 38 days to submit any motions or document or answers.
Some of the emergency or critical cases that will still be heard include bond hearings, substance abuse hearings, injunctions for exploitation of a vulnerable adult, petitions to appoint of a temporary guardian, juvenile dependency, shelter and detention hearings, termination of parental rights hearings, temporary injunctions for domestic violence, stalking and other at risk orders, and — last but not least — any proceedings related to the state of emergency or public health emergency, violations of quarantine or curfews, violation of orders to limit travel and violations of orders to close public or private buildings.
This may not affect the Miami city appeal of the recall effort against Commissioner Joe Carollo. A Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of the Take Back Our City group and told the Miami city clerk to deliver the signed recall petitions to the Miami-Dade.
Read related: Miami attorneys win and Joe Carollo recall petitions sit in judge’s chambers
Eunice Sigler, a spokeswoman for the 11th judicial circuit, said that non-emergency court proceedings could commence again once a remote appearance technology platform is implemented to allow proceedings to take place without in-person appearances. Court employees who can work remotely from home will be doing so.
“These temporary emergency procedures are established to minimize the need for persons to appear in court, in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus disease COVID-19,” a statement from the courts read. “The time period for these emergency procedures may be further extended based on guidance from public health and government authorities and in coordination with the Florida Supreme Court. Future updates will be provided as needed.”
For updates, visit www.jud11.flcourts.org and social media @miamidadecourts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Corrections officers may have carried COVID19 into Miami-Dade courtrooms added by Ladra on
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