Opinion
Supreme Court Case Nos. 20S-CB-123 20S-CB-231
04-07-2020
In the MATTER OF ADMINISTRATIVE RULE 17 EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR INDIANA TRIAL COURTS RELATING TO the 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
Order
On March 6, 2020, Governor Holcomb in Executive Order 20-02 declared a public health emergency in Indiana relating to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19); on March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency relating to the virus; and on March 25, Governor Holcomb issued Executive Orders 20-08 and 20-09, ordering Hoosiers to remain in their homes except when at work or for permitted activities and closing State government offices, including the Indiana Statehouse and Government Center campuses, to the general public. Because of those restrictions, this Court issued orders granting emergency relief through April 6, 2020 for matters in the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Tax Court, and Clerk of Courts.
Due to the ongoing public health emergency, the Courts on their own motion EXTEND IN PART the relief previously granted and ORDER as follows:
1. Filing pursuant to Appellate Rule 23(A)(1) by personal delivery to the Clerk or the "rotunda filing drop box" is suspended through May 4, 2020. Instead, parties are directed to either e-file their documents pursuant to Appellate Rule 68 or file their documents by United States Mail or third-party commercial carrier pursuant to Appellate Rules 23(A)(2)–(3). Parties who cannot e-file and have an emergency appellate matter may request special accommodation by contacting Supreme Court Services at (317) 233-8697 or scs@courts.in.gov , the Court of Appeals at (317) 234-5587, or for emergency Tax Court matters, by contacting Indiana Tax Court Administrator Karyn D. Graves at (317) 232-4695 or karyn.graves@courts.IN.gov .
2. The deadlines established in the March 23, 25, and 27 orders issued in the above cases remain in effect. However, the Courts recognize that it may not be possible for all parties to meet these deadlines because of the current public health emergency. Parties who cannot meet the deadlines established in the March 23, 25, and 27 orders are directed to move for an extension of time (notwithstanding any contrary provision of Appellate Rules 9(A)(5), 35(C), 54, 57, or 63 ) or for leave to file their document belatedly pursuant to Appellate Rule 1. Such motions shall be verified (signed under a statement affirming, under penalties for perjury, that the statements made in the motion are true). Relief will be granted for good cause shown, notwithstanding any provision of the Appellate Rules imposing a more stringent standard.