Courthouse closure not stopping justice process

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — Court is back in session at the Brunswick County Courthouse, but two rooms are still not open. After a water leak last week forced its closure, county staff have been working to keep the justice process running smoothly.

Assistant Clerk Melanie Clark says the courthouse closure last week was a lot to handle.

“It has been a hectic few days but we are all pulling together and getting the work done,” Clark said. “As one of the staffers that were here while the power was out it was very chaotic.”

But Clark says a little collaboration was all that was needed to calm the storm.

“We’ve had a lot of help from all the departments here in the complex with signage, with repairs its gone very well,” Clark said.

While county maintenance works on opening up the last two courtrooms that are closed, the county clerks are getting out information to people.

“All of the cases have been rescheduled to May 7th at the latest most of them will be heard prior to that,” Clark said. “And all the notices have gone out and the witnesses have been subpoenaed.”

But the issue — more about logistics than security. Court officials say on an average court day, there could be 800 to 1,200 cases. But there is an end in sight, county officials say they hope the work will be done by next week. District court is being held in the Brunswick County commission chambers at the administration building at the government complex.