Including a personal reference to her own 80-year-old father, Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack explained Monday the extraordinary emergency procedures that the coronavirus outbreak has forced courts to adopt.

"Michigan's courts must act to help meet the challenge of this truly profound public health crisis," McCormack said. "My colleagues and I on the Michigan Supreme Court unanimously approved an order that provides the authority and direction for the courts of our state to take every measure necessary to protect the public."

The order is a response to the governor's declaration of a state of an emergency, which seeks to limit physical contact and the spread of the deadly coronavirus, which, so far, has killed 70 people in America.

The death toll, experts say, will get much worse if the virus is not contained.

The court's order, which was issued Sunday, authorizes trial courts to use emergency measures until April 3 to limit the spread of the virus, giving courts the power to adjourn civil matters and criminal cases, where the defendant is not in custody.

It also calls on courts to expand the use of videoconferencing and other technology that allows people to work remotely and waives fees to do so.

Overall, the aim is to reduce the number of cases and limit the number of people who gather in courtrooms, lobbies — and even hallways.

Emergency action, the chief justice said, will take precedence over normal operating procedures, and business will not be as usual in the courts, but they will remain open for emergencies.

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To emphasize how personal and unnerving the public health crisis is, McCormack offered a personal note that on Sunday, she spoke on the phone to her elderly dad who has bladder cancer.

"He is at risk, like many of our parents and our neighbors," she said. "For his sake, and for all of our sake, we ask the public to be patient with us and for our courts to do everything we can to be part of the solution."

Taking guidance from the state Supreme Court, chief judges in Washtenaw County announced on Monday the suspension of most court activity until April 6.

Only hearings involving “the most urgent matters” will take place. Bond hearings, preliminary examinations for in-custody defendants, the processing of personal protection petitions and matters involving child abuse and neglect will continue.

“We know that suspension of our Courts will work inconvenience and hardship on those who appear before us as litigants, witnesses, jurors, law enforcement, victims, attorneys and those charged with criminal offenses. But, it has become apparent that anything other than cessation of all but the most vital Court activities would add to the risk that the virus will spread in the community and overwhelm available medical resources,” Washtenaw County’s chief judges said in a joint statement.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com