Many Douglas County District Court hearings to be livestreamed on YouTube; some appointments being scheduled

photo by: Journal-World File

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St., is pictured on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Story updated at 3:07 p.m. Tuesday

As the Douglas County District Court moves toward reopening, hearings for civil, criminal and probate matters are livestreaming on YouTube.

The court anticipates some in-person hearings will begin early next month, according to an email from Chief Judge James McCabria. In the meantime, though, hearings held via Zoom videoconferencing will be available via the District Court’s new YouTube channel.

No hearings will be recorded, however. They will only be available live while they are occurring, and making a copy or recording a hearing is prohibited, just like regular in-person hearings.

The YouTube channel can be found by visiting youtube.com and searching for Douglas County District Court. The image associated with the account is of the historic courthouse at 1100 Massachusetts St.

No juries will be called in sooner than August.

• • •

The District Court clerk’s office is also now scheduling appointments for public access, with some restrictions. At this time there will be no more than four 10-minute appointments available per hour to allow five minutes for cleaning in between each visitor.

In addition, visitors to the courthouse will be required to wear masks. They will also be subject to touchless temperature checks and screening questions about COVID-19 risk factors, according to McCabria’s email.

Small claims filing appointments will be from 9 to 11 a.m., limited civil filings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., domestic filings from 1 to 3 p.m. and public access to court records via the computer terminals will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance by calling the court clerk’s office at 785-832-5256.

The court clerk’s office will not make appointments for certain cases, including paying court fines and fees, applying for marriage licenses or filing protection cases, according to a news release from the office. Residents looking to pay fines and fees can do so online at citepayusa.com, and those seeking marriage licenses can email civil@douglascountyks.org. Petitions for protection orders are available at the security station located at the front entrance of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St.


Contact Mackenzie Clark

Have a story idea, news or information to share? Contact public safety reporter Mackenzie Clark:


Related coverage: COVID-19 + Crime, courts and first responders

May 10, 2020: Is the Douglas County Jail’s inmate population decrease amid COVID-19 sustainable? Law enforcement isn’t optimistic

April 23, 2020: Lawrence-Douglas County health officials have dealt with dozens of businesses out of compliance with governor’s orders

April 15, 2020: Heritage Baptist Church holds outdoor service; deputy responds for protester

April 14, 2020: Heritage Baptist Church leader: COVID-19 ‘has not hit our county’ like it has others; services to continue

April 13, 2020: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will enforce governor’s orders, including ban on mass religious gatherings

April 12, 2020: Expanding use of videoconferencing keeps Douglas County District Court moving forward; some challenges persist

April 8, 2020: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office serving warrants only for public safety risks

April 7, 2020: Douglas County district attorney: 14 inmates released from jail amid COVID-19; some community service hours waived in diversion cases

April 6, 2020: Stay-at-home order leaves a big question unanswered: Says who?

March 27, 2020: At Douglas County Jail, female inmates still sharing cells; total population has dropped

March 26, 2020: Scammers are taking advantage of COVID-19 panic; don’t fall for ‘cures,’ at-home tests and other pitches

March 25, 2020: Need to pay child support in Douglas County? Here’s how to do it amid the pandemic

March 24, 2020: Douglas County Jail suspends visitation amid ‘stay at home’ order

March 23, 2020: Douglas County juvenile detention center has no plan to release incarcerated youths; activists make national push

March 22, 2020: Speedy trial rights are on hold in Kansas. What does that mean for defendants?

March 21, 2020: Douglas County district attorney’s office closed to the public through April 3

March 19, 2020: What you need to know: Lawrence-area law enforcement shares latest updates amid COVID-19 pandemic

March 18, 2020: Kansas Supreme Court: State courts to conduct emergency operations only; cases won’t be dismissed

March 18, 2020: Douglas County Jail visitations continue; would-be inmate sent away at intake to self-quarantine

March 17, 2020: Douglas County District Court delays most hearings, jury trials amid COVID-19 concerns

March 13, 2020: Some Douglas County Jail inmates could be released on furloughs if sick or at risk of COVID-19

March 13, 2020: Douglas County District Court limits public presence in courtrooms, hallways amid COVID-19 outbreak

March 12, 2020: Lawrence-area first responders not changing protocol for medical calls right now

March 12, 2020: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office: Jail can accommodate quarantine, if needed

March 12, 2020: Kansas Supreme Court asks local courts for plans to continue operations amid COVID-19 outbreak