By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Due to ongoing social distancing guidelines, the Henry County Courts have expanded into an overflow area across the street from the courthouse.
County Mayor Brent Greer said because “only a certain number of people are allowed in the courtrooms at any one time” members of the public who are waiting for their cases to be called are seated in the overflow area in the building at the corner of Poplar and Washington Streets. The building most recently was the temporary headquarters for the Paris Board of Public Utilities.
“We’re renting that space month to month,” Greer said. With the state’s courts being shut down for several weeks, the dockets are busier than usual currently.
Three deputies are on duty now, with one at the entrance of the courthouse, one in the overflow area and a third in the courtrooms.
Greer said the overflow area will be utilized for the foreseeable future. “We expect this to continue through at least July,” he said.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin