Some Court Cases May Be Rescheduled Due To Coronavirus

ARLINGTON, VA — Many non-urgent court cases before the 17th Judicial District Court may be continued to a later date due to the new coronavirus, under new guidance released Thursday by the Commonweath's Attorney's Office for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church.

On Friday, Commonweath's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti tweeted a letter dated March 12 she had written to all judges in the 17th Judicial District outlining "emergency plans" to address the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

"The Commonwealth respectfully request the Courts continue, through administrative order, all misdemeanor and felony cases, trials, and hearings involving out-of-custody defendants beginning March 16, 2020, through April 10, 2020, or later," Dehghani-Tafti said, in the letter. "Absent administrative action from the Courts, in keeping with my responsibility to keep the citizens of Arlington County and the City of Falls Church safe, effective March 16, 2020, the Commonwealth will move to continue all non-urgent, out-of-custody cases, trials, and hearings currently pending before each of the courts of the 17th Judicial District from March 16, 2020, through April 10, 2020."

Dehghani-Tafti went on to say that her office would work with the Public Defender's Office, defense bar, and private defense attorneys to make sure that all due process rights are respected and protected.

Essential staff will continue to be available for all urgent matters, including bond motions and for any trial or hearing for an individual who is in pre-trial detention.

"We will work with defense counsel on all cases scheduled for hearing or jury trial involving persons in pre-trial detention to avoid, if at all possible, unnecessary court appearances or the summoning of jurors during this time," Dehghani-Tafti said. "We also request, to the extent possible, any matter that can be handled on paper or via video be conducted accordingly."

On March 12, 2020, the office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney announced policies outlined in the attached letter to address the spread of COVID-19. We’re working with judges of the 17th District & other stakeholders to fulfill our oath to the community to maintain public safety pic.twitter.com/RhoEUxzYDq
— Arlington & Falls Church Virginia CA (@CA4Arlington) March 13, 2020