Alabama State Bar COVID-19 Updates
LAST UPDATED 01.04.2022 at 11:50 AM
We continue to add county-specific orders and information below. If you have an update that you don’t see below, please send to Melissa.Warnke@alabar.org.
The Alabama Circuit and District Judges compiled a Pandemic Practices Guidebook. You can access that here.
You can access further guidelines for safely resuming jury trials here.
Local Court Information Regarding COVID-19
Autauga County
No current Orders in place
Baldwin County
No current Orders in place
Barbour County
Bibb County
NEW! As of 8-13-21: 4th Circuit (Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry & Wilcox): masks are mandatory in all courtrooms.
Blount County
No current Orders in place
Bullock County
Butler County
Calhoun County
No current Orders in place
Chambers County
No current Orders in place
Cherokee County
Administrative Order Pertaining to Masks
Chilton County
No current Orders in place
Choctaw County
No current Orders in place
Clarke County
- No current Orders in place
Clay County
No current Orders in place
Cleburne County
No current Orders in place
Coffee County
No current Orders in place
Colbert County
Pursuant to the recent rise in various strains of Covid-19 and per recommendations from the CDC that all persons wear a mask indoors in public, masks will be REQUIRED in Judge Brown’s courtroom effective AUGUST 9, 2021 until further notice.
Office of Kyle W. Brown, Circuit Judge
201 N. Main St., Tuscumbia, AL 35674
Phone: 256-386-8526
Fax: 256-389-9047
Conecuh County
No current Orders in place
Coosa County
No current Orders in place
Covington County
Crenshaw County
Cullman County
No current Orders in place
Dale County
NEW! 8-13-2021: 33rd Circuit (Dale & Geneva): masks are mandatory in public areas, including courtrooms.
Dallas County
NEW! As of 8-13-21: 4th Circuit (Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry & Wilcox): masks are mandatory in all courtrooms.
DeKalb County
Administrative Order Pertaining to Masks
Elmore County
No current Orders in place
Escambia County
Escambia County Administrative Order concerning Covid 19 restrictions.
Etowah County
Presiding Judge’s Administrative Order reinstating masks at the William H. Rhea III Judicial Building (16th Judicial Circuit, Etowah County), including continued compliance with applicable ADPH and CDC guidelines associated therewith.
Fayette County
Franklin County
No current Orders in place
Geneva County
New! 8-13-2021: 33rd Circuit (Dale & Geneva): masks are mandatory in public areas, including courtrooms.
Greene County
New! 8-13-2021: 17th Circuit (Greene, Marengo & Sumter): masks are mandatory in the courthouse.
Hale County
NEW! As of 8-13-21: 4th Circuit (Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry & Wilcox): masks are mandatory in all courtrooms.
Henry County
No current Orders in place
Houston County
No current Orders in place
Jackson County
Administrative Order Pertaining to Masks – Rescinded 11-02-2021
Administrative Order Rescinding Above Order Pertaining to Masks
Jefferson County
NEW! (01-04-2022) Administrative Order regarding facial coverings
Administrative Order regarding facial coverings ( July 29, 2021)
Lamar County
Lauderdale County
NEW! 8-13-2021: 11th Circuit (Lauderdale): masks are mandatory in all courtrooms.
Lawrence County
No current Orders in place
Lee County
New! 8-13-2021: 37th Circuit (Lee): masks are mandatory in the Justice Center.
Limestone County
No current Orders in place
Lowndes County
Macon County
No current Orders in place
Madison County
New! 8-13-2021: 23rd Circuit (Madison): masks are mandatory in the courthouse.
Marengo County
New! 8-13-2021: 17th Circuit (Greene, Marengo & Sumter): masks are mandatory in the courthouse.
Marion County
No current Orders in place
Marshall County
No current Orders in place
Mobile County
8-16-2021: New Administrative Order for jury trials
8-13-2021: 13th Circuit (Mobile): masks are mandatory in the courthouse (with the exception of attorney and court personnel who are vaccinated).
Monroe County
No current Orders in place
Montgomery County
NEW! (01-03-2022) – The 15th Judicial Circuit has canceled the Jury terms for January 3rd and January 10th
July 30,2021 – The 15th Judicial Circuit has canceled the Jury terms for August 16th and August 30
COVID-19 (Delta Variant) Safety Protocols: Administrative Order
MONTGOMERY CIRCUIT CLERK CONTACT INFORMATION
Main Office: (334) 832-1260
Fax: (334) 832-7787
Email: montgomerycircuitclerk@alacourt.gov
Website: Montgomery.alacourt.gov
Absentee Office: (334) 832-1281
EMERGENCY CONTACT
Circuit Clerk, Gina Ishman
Email: gina.ishman@alacourt.gov
Office: (334) 832-1384
Cell: (334) 328-0886
Civil/Criminal Deputy Clerk, Shirley Grant
Email: shirley.grant@alacourt.gov
Office: (334) 832-1261
Cell: (334) 414-2672
Juvenile/Domestic Relations Deputy Clerk, Angela Starr
Email: angela.starr@alacourt.gov
Office: (334) 832-2101
Cell: (334) 233-9942
Morgan County
NEW! As of 8-13-21: 8th Circuit (Morgan): masks are mandatory in all courtrooms.
Perry County
NEW! As of 8-13-21: 4th Circuit (Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry & Wilcox): masks are mandatory in all courtrooms.
Pickens County
Pike County
No current Orders in place
Randolph County
No current Orders in place
Russell County
NEW! 8-13-2021: 26th Circuit (Russell): masks are mandatory in all courtrooms, circuit clerk’s office, JPO office, and Drug Court.
St. Clair County
No current Orders in place
Shelby County
No current Orders in place
Sumter County
New! 8-13-2021: 17th Circuit (Greene, Marengo & Sumter): masks are mandatory in the courthouse.
Talladega County
All non-employees will be required to wear a mask to enter the Judicial Building unless they present a valid “vaccine card.”
Masks will be required for all common areas unless you have a valid “vaccine card.”
Effective Aug. 23, the following protocols are hereby in place for entry:
- Mandatory masks for all members of the public for entry.
- Mandatory masks must be worn in all common areas throughout the Judicial Building.
- Mandatory digital temperature for all members of the public for entry.
- Security will request all entrants use hand sanitizing station for entry.
- Proof of vaccination does NOT exclude anyone from this policy.
COURTROOM POLICY (EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:
Per the email you received last night or earlier today, ALL courtrooms at the Judicial Building in Talladega and Judge Rumsey’s courtroom in Sylacauga will require masks for entry.
Judges Woodruff, Hollingsworth, Rumsey and Fannin have the discretion to allow masks be removed on an individual case-by-case basis as appropriate.
Masks are required for ALL “dockets” without discretion at this time.
Judges Rumsey and Fannin will limit the number of people in their courtroom at a given time and will utilize the courtrooms downstairs for overflow to manage their larger dockets. Please be patient and expect some delay in cases that appear on a “docket” as we manage and utilize courtroom overflow.
Thank you for your cooperation. If you need special accommodations for you and/or your client, please contact the individual judge AHEAD of the court proceeding to make such a request.
Tallapoosa County
No current Orders in place
Tuscaloosa County
No current Orders in place
Walker County
No current Orders in place
Washington County
No current Orders in place
Wilcox County
NEW! As of 8-13-21: 4th Circuit (Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry & Wilcox): masks are mandatory in all courtrooms.
Winston County
No current Orders in place
COVID-19 Resources
The Alabama State has compiled resources to help members navigate the current COVID-19 situation. SCROLL DOWN for court orders, announcements, webinars and other current information relevant for attorneys.
If you have a question about the Courts that is not addressed below, click on the button below to submit your question. We will compile those questions to send to the Courts for answers.
- Staff Contact Information and Impact on Bar Services
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The Alabama State Bar has been working diligently to develop a plan for the bar’s operation that considers guidance received from federal and state authorities and also our duty and obligation to serve you, our members.
The ASB building will be closed to the public until further notice, starting Mar. 17, 2020. The situation is fluid and changing at a rapid pace, so we will continue to monitor developments, and make changes as necessary. If you had arranged to hold a meeting, mediation, deposition or other event at the bar building in the next few weeks, you will be (if you have not already been) contacted by a member of our staff to arrange rescheduling.
Should you have questions, please contact the appropriate staff member below:
Department/Function Telephone Direct Dial Email Administration 334-269-1515 terri.lovell@alabar.org Finance 334-517-2160 financedept@alabar.org Communications 334-517-2218 melissa.warnke@alabar.org Publications (The Alabama Lawyer magazine) 334-517-2124 margaret.murphy@alabar.org Information Technology (IT) 334-517-2192 hunter.harris@alabar.org Admissions 334-517-2228 admit@alabar.org Licensing 334-517-2144 ms@alabar.org CLE 334-517-2128 cle@alabar.org OGC – Discipline 334-517-2188 ogc@alabar.org OGC – Ethics 334-517-2196 ethics@alabar.org Programs/Meetings 334-517-2150 annualmeeting@alabar.org Alabama Lawyers Assistance Program (ALAP) 334-224-6920 alap@alabar.og Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) 334-517-2246 linda.lund@alabar.org Lawyer Referral Service 800-392-5660 lrs@alabar.org If you have an emergency and cannot get in touch with anyone, please call the main office at 334-269-1515.
We stand ready to continue to carry out the essential functions of the Bar and will continue to keep you updated and provide guidance about how to move forward. Please heed the recommendations of local and federal health officials to protect yourselves, your families, your friends and your colleagues from this virus.
We understand that this situation will likely cause significant hardships to many of your. Please let us know how we might provide resources to help you withstand the changes created by the pandemic.
- Supreme Court of Alabama Orders and Memos
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The Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building is now open to the public.
You can find a listing of all orders relating to COVID-19 here.
- For the Public (Get Legal Help)
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Court Information
Follow this link, and click on your county for information on how to access the court and for contact information, https://www.alabar.org/alabama-state-bar-coronavirus-covid-19-safety-measures/
Get Legal Help
The Alabama State Bar is committed to promoting public access to high quality legal services regardless of financial or other circumstances. The Alabama State has compiled resources to help members of the public seeking legal assistance during this time of uncertainty.
Legal Services Alabama (LSA)
LSA has opened a COVID-19 Crisis Disaster Hotline that is available in English and Spanish at 1-877-393-2333.
Legal Services Alabama is a statewide law firm providing free legal services to people who are low income (including those who recently became low income). LSA normally focuses on providing help with housing, consumer issues, domestic violence issues, public benefits and education but has increased our services during this time of need. In addition to many other COVID19 related issues, LSA is currently helping clients with unemployment compensation, food stamps and problems with landlords.
Alabama Free Legal Answers
The newly launched Alabama Free Legal Answers program provides free qualified legal advice through the website https://alabama.freelegalanswers.org/. The website gives eligible users the ability to pose civil legal questions to volunteer attorneys and receive answers on the site. The users of the service must meet income eligibility guidelines that are available on the site. The current COVID-19 pandemic impacts under-served people with unemployment, loss of income and housing issues that may present legal questions that could be answered on the website.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (“LRS”)
The Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (“LRS”) is a program offered by the Alabama State Bar Association designed to assist the public in locating an attorney who can be retained to assist with their general legal need. Attorneys who participate in the ASB Lawyer Referral Service agree to charge not more than $50 for an initial 30 minute consultation. Following the initial consultation, the potential client and referred attorney will negotiate a fee for the services required.
The Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service line is temporarily closed but you can still receive a referral online at https://www.alabar.org/lrs-form/
Montgomery Volunteer Lawyer’s Program
The Montgomery Volunteer Lawyer’s Program’s in-person clinics are cancelled until further notice. They are still offering screening over the phone at 334-265-0222 ext.2. A group of local volunteer lawyers are available to answer civil legal questions by phone. Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program provides services in Montgomery County.
Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program
The Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program has cancelled all legal clinics until further notice. We are still offering screening over the phone at (256) 539-2275 or through our online application via our website, www.vlpmadisoncounty.com . Please leave a message and a staff member will return your call as soon as possible. The Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program provides services in Madison County.
South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program
The South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program has canceled all clinics and in-person screening for the time being. We are still offering limited screening over the phone at 251-438-1102 for non-emergency issues. South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program providers services in Baldwin, Clarke, Mobile and Washington Counties.
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham has suspended their in-person Help Desks, we will be having remote Help Desks by phone during the following times:
Civil – Tuesday 9am-12pm
Domestic – Wednesday 9am-12pm
Civil – Thursday 9am-12pm
Please call 205.250.5198, ext. 3 during these times, and we will direct you to an attorney volunteer who can offer advice and counsel by phone. Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham provides services in Jefferson County
Clients may also call during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri., and our staff attorneys will be available to speak with callers who meet our residency and income requirements. We will prioritize calls for those seeking help in domestic-violence situations or threat of eviction. However, if you are in immediate danger from domestic violence, please call 911.
Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program
The Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program has canceled all clinics and in-person screening. Current clients can reach the program by email at vlp2@alabar.org or by calling your case worker. We hope to open limited client intake soon, please check back for updates. The Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program provides services in all counties except, Baldwin, Clarke, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery and Washington.
YWCA Advocacy and Family Law Center
YWCA Advocacy and Family Law Center services are available on a limited basis. These services are dependent on the cities’, counties’, and courts’ ability to provide a space that complies with the CDC and other health officials’ recommendations. Supervised Visitation and Exchange Services have been suspended until further notice. We are working to employ technology-assisted options that do not put clients, staff, and or public health at risk. We are serving clients in both shelters (Jefferson and St. Clair counties). We may make referrals to other DV shelters in the state or provide hotel vouchers when necessary. During calls, our advocates may help clients with counseling, safety planning, and protective orders. YWCA Crisis line 1-205-322-4878, www.ywcabham.org, state hotline:1-800-650-6522, by chat or call to the national hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) / chat at thehotline.org.
Legal Information and Self-Help Forms
Alabama Legal Help https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/ (operated by Legal Services Alabama) and the website of the Alabama Access to Justice Commission https://www.alabamaatj.org/ contain information and self-help forms regarding a wide variety of legal issues, including family law, public benefits, housing, consumer issues, health law, elder law, immigration and guardianships. You can get basic information about your legal rights, learn where to go for legal aid and assistance, and find out about other community resources. Another website, Alabama Legal Answers, allows you to ask a lawyer a question online at no charge.
Also see the SVLP Blog on the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers website http://www.savlp.org/ for information on a variety of COVID-19 related legal issues including Estate Planning, Family Law and employment issues including sick leave and unemployment
- U.S. District Court Information
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United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama:
General Order – Use of Face Coverings.
For more information regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please click here.
- Bankruptcy Courts Information
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The United States Bankruptcy Court Orders:
- Office of General Counsel Information
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All Alabama State Bar Office of General Counsel disciplinary hearings and other discipline-related matters will follow Supreme Court Orders.
The Office of General Counsel sent a memo to members. Lawyers can use this language to send to clients about the court closures, statute of limitations, and delay in cases as a result of the crisis. You can find that >>>here<<<.
- CLE Accomodations in Light of COVID-19
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WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS, IF ANY, WILL BE MADE FOR SATISFACTION OF 2021 CLE REQUIREMENTS?
Attorneys who hold an occupational license are required to complete 12 CLE hours, including 1 ethics hour, by December 31, 2021. The MCLE Commission has extended its suspension of MCLE Regulation 3.1 through Dec. 31, 2021. This accommodation allows Alabama attorneys the flexibility of satisfying their full annual CLE requirement (12 hours, including 1 ethics hour) with approved on-demand and/or virtual courses.
The Alabama State Bar’s free CLE platform called ProLearn currently has more than 30 courses that have been reset for 2021, and we will be adding several new courses soon. Watch the Scoop for announcements of new courses! You can access this important member benefit at https://alabar.prolearn.io. Find step-by-step instructions for the platform here.
- Orders and Proclamations from Governor Ivey
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On March 13, 2020, on recommendation from the State Health Officer, Gov. Ivey declared a state public health emergency existed in the state of Alabama and has since issued twenty-seven supplemental state of emergency proclamations.
The Safer Apart order expired on May 31, 2021.
The State of Public Health Emergency issued August 13, 2021.
RESOURCES
Federal Agency Resources
State Agency Resources
- COPING WITH STRESS
- COVID-19 Cybercrime and Scams