Magistrates forced to adjourn large numbers of cases after defendants report ‘runny nose’

Brisbane courthouses have reported a spike in defendants seeking sick leave during COVID with magistrates claiming many fail to get medical certificate.

The recent surge of coronavirus cases in Brisbane is affecting attendance numbers at courthouses across the city, where large numbers of defendants are blaming symptoms of COVID-19 for failing to appear.

At Sandgate Magistrates Court on Monday more than 10 defendants reported “sniffily noses”, coughs or headaches prevented them from pleading their case, prompting Magistrate Jennifer Batts to grant several adjournments.

Police prosecutor Val Crossley said it seemed everyone who didn’t appear claimed to have COVID-19 symptoms.

“Many people sent an email to the court or called the registry because they know that in the current time they will be allowed to adjourn the matter,” she said.

“The good thing is that warrants were issued to lay on file until next time, so eventually they will have to face the court.”

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Duty lawyer Stephanie Tsimos from KLM Solicitors said while some clients are not coming to court because of flu-like symptoms she tries to give them the benefit of the doubt.

“I haven’t seen too many people taking advantage of what’s going on,” Ms Tsimos said.

“And I don’t want anyone to come to work with me while they’re sick, anyway.”

There has been a spike in no-shows at Holland Park Magistrates Court as well in the past fortnight.

On Tuesday, nearly a dozen defendants contacted the court to say they could not attend due to COVID-like symptoms.

That prompted Magistrate Simon Young to say it was “unacceptable’’ so many did not include a doctor’s certificate to verify their claims.