Evictions suspended, other court changes made in Boone and Callaway counties

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Evictions in Boone and Callaway counties are on hold for the next month in an order issued by the area's presiding judge.

An order from 13th Circuit Presiding Judge Kevin Crane suspended all evictions through April 17. The order said that "it is not in the interest of the public health to displace persons from their residence at this time due to COVID-19 emergency" in supporting the decision.

Crane's order also left it up to the head of each law enforcement agency to decide whether or not to arrest people on warrants for failure to appear in court.

The order also limited some business the court will do. All service of subpoenas in criminal cases are on hold, and the sheriff's departments in Boone and Callaway counties won't serve process on some civil cases.

Crane had suspended some in-person court hearings on March 16 through April 17 due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, following the Supreme Court of Missouri's guidance that same day.