Special to Iredell Free News

All court sessions have been canceled in Iredell County for the rest of the week due to possible COVID-19 exposure at the Iredell County Hall of Justice.

Clerk of Superior Court Jim Mixson announced the decision to close in a news release Tuesday afternoon, citing a desire to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus, which has been attributed to 45 deaths in the county since March.

All matters be rescheduled next week. The public can find new criminal court dates at www.nccourts.gov/court-dates.

For civil matters, contact your attorney for your new court date or call the Iredell County Clerk of Superior Court’s Civil Division at 704-832-6603. Appointments with the Estates/Probate Division of the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office have also been cancelled. The public should contact the Estates Division at 704-832-6604 to reschedule an appointment.

The Iredell County Clerk of Court’s office will remain open with reduced staffing. The public is strongly encouraged to use remote resources to conduct court business whenever possible. A host of online services are available at www.nccourts.gov/services.

By order of the Chief Justice, only people with business at the courthouse will be allowed to enter. Masks or face coverings are required in all courthouses. Filings are encouraged to be mailed and will be treated as timely if received by mail within five days of the due date.