In Re: 5th Judicial District (Allegheny County)

Opinion

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA WESTERN DISTRICT

IN RE: 5TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT : No. 23 WM 2020 (ALLEGHENY COUNTY) - DECLARATION : OF JUDICIAL EMERGENCY :

ORDER

PER CURIAM

AND NOW, this 29th day of June, 2021, the Application for Relief, filed by the

Honorable Kim Berkeley Clark, is GRANTED, IN PART.

To the extent the Application seeks authorization for the President Judge of the 5th

Judicial District to continue suspending, through August 31, 2021, Rule of Criminal

Procedure 600 and any procedural rules related to the use of advanced communication

technology (ACT) in court proceedings, the Application is GRANTED. Judges shall be

present in the courthouse, judicial center, or other court facility whenever a proceeding is

being conducted by ACT, except for extraordinary circumstances, such as when court

properties have been closed due to inclement weather or other emergency under

Pa.R.J.A. Nos. 1950-1954, or when a proceeding is not being conducted during normal

business hours.

In all other respects, the Application is DENIED.