ALTUS – Municipal Judge John M. Wampler issued a judicial order last week that will restore the court to its regular procedures and processes beginning in November. The order comes more than two months after he initially set aside several court procedures and services to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“The prior, modified court procedures are no longer necessary and the other Judicial Order should be rescinded, vacated and held for naught,” Wampler said in his order. “The normal court procedures for the appearance of defendants, the posting of bonds and the reporting of convictions should be reinstituted and resumed.”
The original Judicial Order handed down July 28 was geared toward improving social distancing in the Altus Municipal Court. According to Altus City Attorney Michael Beason, Judge Wampler had issued the judicial order in July to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
The order was placed “to make things easier for people,” said Beason. “Particularly if they were a bit concerned about the coronavirus, social distancing and appearing in court.”
The July order allowed for people who did not wish to appear in court the option to post their bond by calling the court clerk and using a credit or debit card to pay. “If you post your bond prior to the scheduled court date, you will not be required to appear and the bond will be forfeited and used to pay your fine and costs,” the Judicial Order stated. “If you choose to do this instead of appearing in court, your charges will not be reported as a conviction on your state driving or your criminal history.”
According to the newest order, those changes will end Nov. 1.
Under the new order, defendants will once again be required to appear in municipal court according to normal procedures. Bonds will be posted as they were before.
Wampler has “given approximately five weeks for people to understand that we’re going to be returning to the prior processes,” Beason said. If “you’ve been cited and you have been given a promise to appear date, you must appear. Or for some reason there has been a municipal arrest warrant issued, [and] you’ve been arrested on that, you post bond. You are now required to appear.”
Even with the new Judicial Order, Beason said the court will still be following the mandates from the mayor and taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing will be emphasized while facial coverings are required and must be worn at all times while in the municipal court.