COVID-19 BringsChanges To TheCourt Room J U S T I C E I S S T I L L H A P P E N I N G - R E M O T E L Y

COVID-19 has brought many changes to our world.Important institutions have been forced to quickly adapt.Schools have moved online, companies have figured outhow to stay open, hospitals have made drastic changes indelivering care, and the justice system has adapted as well.

Dallas County Judge Shequitta Kelly is helping lead the wayin efforts to ensure that our legal system continues tofunction fully during this public health crisis. The DallasMorning News featured the work of Judge Kelly on adoptingvideo hearings in a story published in April 2020.

The story focuses on the work underway by courts acrossDallas to adapt to the new realities of functioning in aworld where social distancing is required.

“When I saw that they were shutting down juries, I wasthinking of the safety of my court. I need to limit theexposure for all of us.

Address: Frank Crowley Courts Building 133N. Riverfront Boulevard, 4th Floor, Dallas, TX75207

E-mail: jgraham@dallascounty.org

Phone: 214-712-5077

Follow us on:

Facebook - CountyCriminalCourtNo.11

Twitter - dallasccc11

Instagram - DallasCourt11

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, "JudgingDallas" that Judge Kelly initiated in 2019. Itoffers tidbits and information to DallasCounty residents and FCCB visitors aboutdifferent aspect of the justice system. "JudgingDallas" also broadcasts in the Lew Sterrett jailwhich houses thousands of inmates at a giventime.

Watch Judge Kelly in action on the CCC11website by clicking "Watch Live Stream."

CONTACT US

THE JUDICIAL VIEWThe official newsletter ofDallas County Court 11Hon. Shequitta Kelly, Presidingwww.dallascounty.org/ccc11

SUMMER 2020

And at the same time, I need to be able to make sure the defendant still has his rights. And I still haveto protect the community" said Judge Kelly in the interview.

(continues on page 2)

(continued from page 1)

You can read the entire story on the Dallas Morning News website by clicking here.

This summer spotlight focuses on our 2020 Summer Intern HaleyTaylor Schlitz. Haley is 17 years old and just finished her first year oflaw school at Southern Methodist University's Dedman School ofLaw. In May of 2019, she graduated with high honors with aBachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Education) withan emphasis in Special Populations from Texas Woman’s University.She is the youngest graduate in the history of TWU. Homeschoolingallowed her to advance through high-school at her own pace,graduating at age 13, ready for college. Haley is pursuing a careeras an attorney where she hopes to advocate for greater access toGifted & Talented programs for students of color and girls.

COVID-19 Brings Changes To Court Room

Summer SpotlightSummer Intern -Haley Taylor Schlitz

THE JUDICIAL VIEW

SUMMER 2020

The official newsletter of Dallas County Court 11 - Hon. Shequitta Kelly, Presiding

"Hearings in Kelly’s virtual court includeattorneys, court coordinators and courtreporters on one video-conferencecall. The defense attorney also is on aseparate video call with the defendanton another device. The two videosessions face each other, so everyonecan participate. It’s still possible fordefendants and their attorneys tospeak without others overhearing."Judge Kelly is hearing pleas viaMicrosoft Teams. If an attorney has adefendant that would like to enter adisposition then the attorney and clientmust download Microsoft Teams. Theattorney can contact the CourtCoordinator Jocobe Graham via emailat jgraham@dallascounty.org to beadded to the courts calendar.

Judge Kelly is the first Judge to have a successful bond hearing using the new CourtCall system. This isa remote appearance program designed to service the specific needs of the Judiciary. With this systemcourts are equipped around the nation and Canada with audio visual technology. This system works byallowing inmates to go to any kiosk and complete hearings with the Judge or conduct businesscommunications with their attorney. This system eliminates the need for risky and costly transportationoutside of the facility. This system also provides a new much needed form of conducting legal businesswithout exposing many people to COVID-19. For the Dallas County Criminal courts hardened kiosks arebeing provided and Judge Kelly aims to release these kiosks August 1st of 2020 in various towersthroughout Lew Sterrett Justice Center.

CourtCall Comes To The Courtroom