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16th Judicial District Court releases new policy on courtroom access

Posted at 6:13 PM, May 14, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-14 19:13:14-04

NEW IBERIA, La. — The 16th Judicial District Court that covers the Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary Parish Courthouses released a new policy for how defendants with court proceedings may enter their courthouses.

According to a the new policy from 16th JDC Judge Suzanne de Mahy, defendants are asked not to come to the courthouse until their scheduled time as they will not be allowed into the courthouse or courtroom until 15 minutes prior to their schedule time to appear.

All court personnel will be wearing masks and it is recommended that all parties coming to court wear a mask if it is recommended by the Governor’s Office, the policy states.

Only parties and their attorneys of record will be allowed in the courtroom at the time of the scheduled hearing.

Defendants may have to provide their name and case information upon entering the courthouse.

If a defendant does not have an attorney and is representing themselves, they are asked to bring their court papers with you to the courthouse.

According to de Mahy's policy, defendants should not bring someone with them to court unless they are a witness in their case and have been instruct to do so by their attorney.

Once inside the courthouse and courtroom, defendants will have to practice social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals.

As a consequence, defendants may be asked to wait in another courtroom or area of the courthouse or even in their vehicle until their case is called for hearing.

While inside the courtroom, defendants are only allowed to sit in specifically marked seats.

You can read the full policy below.

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