Because of the uncertainties created by Tropical Storm Isaac and a concern for
the safety of citizens who may have been summoned to court, courts in Pasco and Pinellas counties will be closed Monday, Aug. 27, with a few exceptions.

Courts will be open for emergency matters, first appearance advisories and juvenile shelter and detention hearings, according to a media release.

The decision to cancel most of Monday's scheduled court proceedings was made because "persons who have been ordered to appear in court should not have to worry about whether or not it is safe to travel to our courthouses,"  Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge J. Thomas McGrady said in the release.

Anyone scheduled to report to any courthouse in Pasco or Pinellas County on
Monday should not report. Except for first appearance advisories and juvenile
shelter and detention hearings, all court proceedings scheduled on Monday in
the Sixth Judicial have been cancelled.

Residents who had been summoned for jury duty on Monday have been excused and told not report.

Judges and other necessary court personnel will be available for any emergency matters requiring judicial decisions, Grady said.

Normal after-hours procedures should be followed for emergency court matters.

First appearance advisories for jail inmates and juvenile shelter and detention hearings are scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Monday at:

• West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey

• Criminal Justice Center, 14250 49th St. North, Clearwater

In addition, a special advisory calendar for persons arrested in connection with the Republican National Convention will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Pinellas Criminal Justice Center.

Attorneys, pro se litigants or other citizens who scheduled hearings cancelled on Monday, Aug. 27, will be responsible for rescheduling those hearings. Anyone involved in a proceeding that was scheduled for them will be notified of the new date for that proceeding.

At this time, all courts are scheduled to be open for normal business on Tuesday, Aug. 28, but the Sixth Judicial Circuit continues to monitor Isaac.

Judge McGrady said citizen safety will be the number one concern in a final decision. As long as power is available, the circuit website will be updated regularly, and information will also be available at 727-464-4470.