The need is great! Mississippians are nationally renowned for their charitable giving. Per capita we are the most generous state. In this time of crisis the need is greater than ever.
I am asking for your help. If you are able, the below items are in high demand for families in Mississippi and especially in the Jackson Metro area. We are working with Calvary Baptist Church and His Heart to try and help fill this void.
So what can you do? Pack 1 food box to-go with non-perishables. Contact me to retrieve and deliver. (601)906-6545
If you can do more don’t hold back. If you are not comfortable or in a position to give, please just pass along this request.
We can all get through this by working together and helping as we are able.
Matthew Thompson is civil litigation attorney in Mississippi and is focusing on the civil part and reminds you to keep your social distance!
The Mississippi Supreme Court has been responsive to the COVID-19 threat and issued a number of Orders regarding same. As the information regarding the virus has changed the Court has made the necessary adjustments. Below is the content of the latest MS Supreme Court Order regarding proceedings throughout Mississippi Courts. Here is a link to all of the Supreme Court Orders, along with other Orders. Source; Mississippi Bar Association.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:
All courts are urged to limit in-person, courthouse contact as much as possible by utilizing available technologies…
Judges’ offices or court clerks’ offices shall remain accessible by telephone and email, to the extent possible, during regular business hours…
To the extent that … technologies are prohibited, unavailable, or otherwise infeasible, certain in-person proceedings shall continue to be conducted in all local and state courts including, but not limited to:
a. Jury trials currently in progress. b. Department of Child Protection Services emergency matters related to child protection. c. Proceedings directly related to: (1) Protecting the constitutional rights of all persons; (2)Habeas corpus; (3) Emergency child-custody orders; 4) Relief from abuse and orders of protection; (5) Mandatory youth court detention hearings for youth held in custody; (6) Emergency mental-health orders; (7) Emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons; (8) Petitions for temporary injunctive relief; (9) Issues involving the COVID-19 public-health emergency; (10) Obtaining arrest and search warrants, and other proceedings required by law enforcement; (11) Ensuring the Mississippi Judiciary has met its constitutional requirements. d. Any other emergency and time-sensitive matters, in the discretion of individual judges.
Each judge is authorized to determine the manner in which necessary in-person proceedings are to be conducted. Any such in-person proceedings shall be limited to attorneys, parties, witnesses, security officers, members of the press, and other necessary persons, as determined by the trial judge.
All other in-person proceedings beyond those mandated under Paragraph 3., in all local and state courts, are subject to the Court’s prior Emergency Administrative Orders.
In the interest of preventing the transmission of COVID-19, personnel should be posted at all public entry points of all courts in the state, and individuals should be prohibited from entry if they have:
a. In the previous 14 days, visited China, Iran, South Korea, any European countries, or any other high-risk countries identified by the CDC, or traveled on a cruise ship; b. Resided with or been in close contact with someone who has been in any of those countries within the previous 14 days; c. Traveled domestically within the United States where COVID-19 has sustained widespread community transmission; d. Been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital, or health agency; e. Been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; or f. A fever, cough or shortness of breath. Individuals may also be screened for fever through use of a digital forehead and/or ear thermometer.
A case involving an attorney or party who is ill or in a high-risk category shall be rescheduled.
Individuals with legitimate court business who are ill, caring for someone who is ill or in a high-risk category are advised to stay home and request a continuance.
Jurors who are ill, caring for someone who is ill, or in a high-risk category shall have their jury service postponed to a later date.
Bailiffs should discourage congregating outside courtroom doors and encourage social distancing inside the courtroom.
To comply with the CDC’s latest guidance, within the discretion of the trial judge, gatherings may be limited to no more than 10 people.
This Order may be amended, extended, or otherwise modified, as circumstances may dictate.
SO ORDERED.
Matthew Thompson is a Civil Litigation Lawyer in Mississippi and advises you to take necessary precautions concerning COVID-19.
We are getting many questions concerning Custody and Visitation schedules and exchanges of children during this time. The first advice to give is to use common sense and follow the recommendations of authorities.
From the CDC,The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. If the necessary precautions have been taken, no one in either home is sick or showing symptoms, and no one in the home is in the vulnerable class, visitation exchanges should take place as ordered.
If someone has been exposed to the virus or showing symptoms or is traveling from an infected area, be SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE! Try to avoid travel and exposing other individuals to the virus. While children are resilient and may be asymptomatic, they can still spread the virus to vulnerable persons.
If visitation exchanges are not possible, utilize FaceTime or video chats to maintain daily contact with your children. Parents need to work together for the safety and well being of everyone, which calls for flexibility and access, whether direct or remotely through technology.
Chad King is a Child Custody lawyer in Mississippi and reminds parents that being reasonable is not a weakness.
