NC court deadlines extended, jury trials pushed back to end of July

North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley on Thursday pushed back the restart date for much of the state justice system.

Beasley ordered that no jury trials be scheduled before Aug. 1, and she extended deadlines for court matters.

“Court is going to look different for a while. Dockets will be smaller. Cases will be heard online. We’re going to have to socially distance in the courthouse,” Beasley said.

Any plan to return to in-person court hearings would require that social distancing – in waiting areas and courtrooms – be possible, she said. Courtroom seating and any area where lines form will be visibly marked at 6-foot intervals.

Courthouses will be thoroughly cleaned throughout the day, and hand sanitizer will be provided at every entrance and exit.

Deadlines for court matters are adjusted as follows:

• Filing deadlines for criminal matters are extended until July 31.
• Filings due pursuant to statutes of limitation or repose are extended until July 31.
• Filings and actions due in civil matters that had been previously extended are due June 1.

The courts will encourage filings by mail and will allow for a five-day grace period on deadlines for those submitted through the postal service.