On the eve of the expiration of its initial order declaring a judicial emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Delaware Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the order to May 14.

The extension means all court facilities, with the exception of the Justice of the Peace Court’s three 24-hour courts, will remain closed to the public until May 14.

Chief Justice Collins Seitz Jr. issued the extension on the heels of Gov. John Carney’s own April 10 order extending the state of emergency he initially declared March 12.

Also on Tuesday, the Delaware Superior Court extended its previous order suspending all criminal and civil jury trials. The amended order suspends jury trials through May 29.

“The Delaware courts have been operating under a Judicial Emergency Declaration to protect the health of judicial officers, court employees, our justice partners and members of the public from the COVID-19 virus,” Seitz said in a press release Tuesday.

“We are continuing to conduct necessary and urgent court operations following Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. Consistent with the governor’s ongoing emergency orders, I am issuing an order extending both the judicial emergency and the restriction barring the public from court facilities for an additional 30 days.”

The Supreme Court in March canceled all of its scheduled oral arguments through May.

It had issued an order suspending the requirement that attorneys file paper copies of documents are also electronically submitted.

The order also urged courts to use audiovisual devices to conduct proceedings other than jury trials and tolled all time requirements under the Speedy Trial Guidelines.

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