Renovation work at the Greenbrier County Courthouse is now reaching a point that both of its courtrooms will be unavailable for use, necessitating the postponement of scheduled jury trials. To address the situation, Chief Judge Robert E. Richardson has entered an administrative order, staying all civil and criminal jury trials before the Circuit Court of Greenbrier County for the next several months.
“This situation is somewhat similar to what we faced in the spring of 2020, when the Supreme Court of Appeals declared a judicial emergency statewide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we were forced to adapt to the circumstances,” explained Judge Richardson. “We simply do not have a suitable place where it is now safe to assemble jurors for a trial, due to ongoing construction.”
According to Judge Richardson, all other circuit court operations will continue during this period, using either remote technology or locations outside of the historic courthouse building.
“As a response to COVID-19, we have developed the capacity to conduct many hearings by videoconference, and we’ll use that capability in cases where it’s appropriate. For situations where in-person hearings are more appropriate, the County Commission has graciously made available to the circuit court its meeting room in the newly constructed annex, for use as a temporary courtroom. We’ll also be using space in the magistrate court facilities on Green Lane in Lewisburg, for both office and courtroom purposes.”
One of the courtrooms at the courthouse has been offline for renovation since last fall, but the circuit court has continued operations in the main courtroom, located on the second floor, despite the ongoing construction work. Now, the need for work in the courtroom itself and in areas immediate adjacent to it require the temporary relocation of court staff and operations.
“We appreciate the efforts of County Commissioners Tammy Tincher, Lowell Rose, and Blaine Phillips to minimize the disruption to court operations throughout this project, and to make their meeting room available for our use on a temporary basis,” Judge Richardson said. He also thanked Richard Wood, the project consultant hired by the County Commission last fall, whom he said was instrumental in responding to the lack of adequate heat after the building’s furnace was disconnected in early October and in trying to limit construction noise while court was in session.
“Magistrates Kim Johnson, Tim Stover, and Kirby Hanson have also been very generous in making their limited space available for circuit court staff and operations,” he added. “This project has presented challenges to all of us involved in the court system, and I am grateful for how everyone has responded to those challenges, with patience and understanding.”
When the renovation is completed, all court operations – including those of the circuit court, magistrate court, and family court – will be located entirely in the courthouse building. The Greenbrier County Courthouse was constructed in 1837, with wings added in 1937, 1963, and the mid-1980s. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
