COVID-19 is keeping the courts closed for at least another month in the Tallapoosa Circuit and around the state.

District Attorney Jack Browning said the order extended by Chief Justice Harold Melton for the third time will at least keep the courts shuttered through Sunday, July 12 at 11:59 p.m. Here’s a link to the full order.

The closure of the courts that began in March has since been extended twice – first in April, and again in May. The order was set to expire in mid-June, but because the number of people who can safely gather remains at 50 or under there was no way for court to be held amid the COVID-19 pandemic continuing.

Browning said that it pushes back court proceedings and with the new extension of the closure will also require a new grand jury to be summoned since their term would have expired in July and a new court term is set to begin.

He said the latest order marked a “moment in history” of note because it was the first grand jury he knew of that had been summoned but not impaneled to serve.

For those who are facing criminal charges and have yet to appear for a court date, Browning said that individuals need to contact their attorneys individually for legal counsel on what to do. If defendants in a case do not have an attorney and need more guidance on upcoming cases that have been postponed again, he said to contact his office. The District Attorney’s office can be reached at 770-749-2106.

The Clerk of Superior Court’s office won’t be able to provide information on case scheduling at this time since court calendars have yet to be sorted out.