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Kevin O'Flaherty

The uncertainty of the Coronavirus doesn't mean you can or should put your legal needs on hold.

O'Flaherty Law has always offered in-person consultations at our nine convenient locations, but did you know that you can receive a consultation and receive legal services from one of our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys without leaving your home?

Our attorneys are happy to speak to you by phone, by virtual consultation, by email or with a traditional in-person consultation. To schedule a consultation, please call us at (630) 324-6666, email us at info@oflaherty-law.com or book a consultation online.

Should you choose to schedule an in-person consultation, O'Flaherty Law has taken additional precautions to minimize risks to our clients, including sanitizing after every meeting in our conference room.

Current Court Status

As the situation with the local and state legal system fluctuates, some courts, such as Cook County have announced that they are hearing emergency orders and some other matters. We are continuing to monitor the situation though more information can be found here.

As the situation with local and state legal systems fluctuates, Illinois courts have announced that they are postponing and rescheduling some matters.

We at O’Flaherty Law are continually monitoring this situation.

Cook County Courts

Matters currently pending in Cook County will be postponed for a 30-day period starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

These include:

  • All traffic and misdemeanor matters.
  • Jury trials in criminal or civil matters.
  • Most criminal matters involving adults.
  • No orders for an eviction or foreclosure will be entered, and the Sheriff of Cook County shall cease execution of eviction orders.
  • No marriage ceremonies will take place.

Matters that will proceed include:

  • Bail hearings, arraignments and preliminary hearings; entering into a plea agreement and bail review requests by a pretrial defendant.
  • Juvenile delinquency and criminal proceedings involving demands for trial and detention hearings to determine if a juvenile is to be held in custody while a case is pending.
  • Cases of child abuse or neglect in which the state seeks protective custody of a child or emergency motions in which children are allegedly abused in foster care
  • Persons seeking orders of protection.
  • Emergency petitions in both civil and child support matters

DuPage County Courts

Matters currently pending in DuPage County are rescheduled through April 17, 2020 and will be continued for a period of 30-60 days from the originally scheduled court date.

These include:

  • Traffic courts in Addison, Downers Grove and traffic courtrooms 1001 and 1003 inside the DuPage County courthouse are closed through April 17, 2020.
  • No marriage ceremonies will take place until April 24, 2020.

Matters that will proceed include:

Bond Court:

  • Bail hearings and motions to review bail.

Felony Division:

  • Matters set for arraignment or preliminary hearing
  • Matters with in-custody defendants or a speedy trial demand.
  • Jury trials in matters involving in-custody defendants or a speedy trial demand shall be handled on a case-by-case basis
  • Emergency motions.

Misdemeanor and Traffic Division:

  • Matters with in-custody defendants or a speedy trial demand.
  • Matters set for a statutorily mandated Summary Suspension Hearing.
  • Jury trials in matters involving in-custody defendants or a speedy trial demand shall be handled on a case-by-case basis
  • Emergency motions.

Juvenile Division:

  • Shelter Care Hearings.
  • Adjudicatory hearing in which a 90-day statutory time limit for trial is running.
  • Removal motions due to a minor being endangered, and motions to return a minor home to their parents.
  • Emergency motions.
  • Detention hearing shall proceed via videoconference.
  • Matters with in-custody minors.
  • Trials with in-custody minors shall be handled on a case-by-case basis

Law and Chancery Divisions:

  • Law and Chancery Divisions:
  • Emergency Motions.

Domestic Relations Division:

  • Emergency motions.
  • Returns on orders of protection.

Lake County Courts

All matters in the Circuit Court of Lake County are rescheduled and continued for 28 days from the originally scheduled court date, unless the 28th day falls on a weekend, in which case it will be continued until the following business day.

Matters currently pending in Lake County will be postponed for a 28-day period starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. These include:

  • No orders for an eviction or foreclosure will be entered, and the Sheriff of Cook County shall cease execution of eviction orders.
  • Matters that will proceed in the Criminal Division (Bond Court, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, DUI) include:
  • Speedy trial term cases, statutory summary suspension hearings, forfeiture hearings and probation violation hearings in which an agreement to continue the trial/hearing has not been reached.
  • Bond hearings.
  • In-custody cases in which a plea agreement has been reached.
  • Emergency and Plenary order of Protection hearings.
  • Mental Health Involuntary Admission, Treatment, Fitness and Quarantine hearings.
  • Warrants and any other emergency motion.

Family Division:

  • Cases involving Orders of Protection.
  • Emergency child support matters.
  • Emergency matters.

Juvenile Division:

  • Shelter Care hearings; Detention hearings and emergency motions

Civil Division:

  • Emergency motions.
  • Discovery.

Will County Courts

All matters in the Circuit Court of Will County are rescheduled and continued; each party litigant shall receive an amended notice in the mail, or email, upon the rescheduling of their case(s). Matters currently pending in Will County beginning March 17, 2020 to April 30, 2020 will be rescheduled.

Matters that will proceed include:

  • Bail hearings, arraignments and motions to review bond.
  • Juvenile Abuse and Neglect cases where the state seeks protective custody and where children are allegedly abused in foster care.
  • Juvenile Delinquency cases, including detention hearings and demands for trial.
  • Matters determined by the Court to be of an emergency nature.
  • Discovery in civil cases.
  • Mental Health cases.
  • Emergency and plenary orders of protection.
  • Weddings will continue, however, each couple will only be allowed one witness/family member to attend.
  • Bond hearings.
  • In-custody cases in which a plea agreement has been reached.
  • Emergency and Plenary order of Protection hearings.
  • Mental Health Involuntary Admission, Treatment, Fitness and Quarantine hearings.
  • Warrants and any other emergency motion.

Family Division:

  • Cases involving Orders of Protection.
  • Emergency child support matters.
  • Emergency matters.

Juvenile Division:

  • Shelter Care hearings; Detention hearings and emergency motions.

Civil Division:

  • Emergency motions.
  • Discovery.

McHenry County Courts

All matters in the Circuit Court of McHenry County beginning March 18, 2020 will be continued at a minimum into the month of May; parties will receive a mailed notice of the rescheduled court date.

Matters that will proceed include:

  • Bond hearings and arraignments.
  • Criminal trials with speedy trial demands.
  • Summary Suspension hearings
  • Emergency Petitions for Orders of Protection, Stalking, No Contact.
  • Emergency Petitions for Civil No Contact and Petitions for Firearm Surrender Order.
  • Detention hearings for juveniles who are detained.
  • Shelter care hearings for juveniles who may have been abused or neglected.
  • Mental Health hearings for involuntary commitment or treatment.
  • Bond hearings for individuals who remain in custody at the jail.

Kane County Courts

Most criminal and civil cases in the Circuit Court of Kane County beginning March 16, 2020 will be continued to dates after April 17, 2020; new court dates will be mailed to the last known mailing address.

Matters that will proceed include:

  • Emergency motions.
  • In-custody criminal cases.
  • Order of protection hearings.
  • Juvenile delinquency, juvenile abuse and neglect.
  • Emergency matters.

DeKalb and Kendall Counties

Most criminal and civil cases in the Circuit Court of Kane County beginning March 16, 2020 will be continued to dates after April 17, 2020; new court dates will be mailed to the last known mailing address. Matters currently pending in Lake County will be postponed for a 28-day period starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. These include:

  • The Sheriffs of DeKalb and Kendall County shall cease execution of eviction orders relating to residential real estate.

Matters that will proceed include:

  • Marriage ceremonies will take place. Please contact the court administrator to schedule a wedding; he or she will advise of any specific restrictions which may be in effect.
  • Criminal Trials with speedy trial concerns.
  • Criminal hearings involving in-custody persons, including bail hearings, arraignments or preliminary hearings, and bail review hearings.
  • Issuance and recall of warrants.
  • Juvenile detention, abuse, neglect and shelter care hearings.
  • Issuance of Orders of Protections and hearings.
  • Criminal Felony Trials for persons who are not in custody and serious Criminal Misdemeanor cases.
  • Temporary Restraining Orders and Preliminary Injunctions.
  • Medical health hearings and commitments; Involuntary Examination, Involuntary Commitment, Emergency Medical Treatment, including potential Social Distancing and Quarantine Proceedings.

What You Need To Know

The safety of our clients is important to us. We want you to remain safe and informed.

O'Flaherty Law continues to serve clients’ legal needs during the uncertainty over the Coronavirus. While we will continue to offer in-person consultations, you can receive a consultation and most legal services without leaving your home. Our attorneys are happy to work with you via videoconference, phone and e-mail.

Feel free to reach out for any of your legal needs at (630)324-6666 or office@oflaherty-law.com

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Each individual's legal needs are unique, and these materials may not be applicable to your legal situation. Always seek the advice of a competent attorney with any questions you may have regarding a legal issue. Do not disregard professional legal advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

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