06/19/2020
PLAN FOR THE RETURN OF JURY SERVICE
FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
From Hon. Felix J. Catena
On Monday, June 22, 2020, the Fourth Judicial District will begin Phase Three of the “Return to In-Person Operations.” In addition to gradually increasing in-person appearances, preparations will also begin for resuming jury service. Highlights of the District’s Plan to resume jury service are as follows:
No jurors will appear in court during Phase Three.
However, Jury Commissioners in each county will begin preparing for jury service to resume in Term 8 (July 13, 2020).
The resumption of jury service will begin with the Grand Jury. It is anticipated that Grand Jury summonses will be mailed out during the last two weeks of June and that summoned Grand Jurors will report for service during the week of July 13, 2020.
The District is planning for the safe return of jurors to our courts. When jurors do return, here is what jurors can expect:
° Face coverings will continue to be required for all who enter the courthouse, including those who appear for jury service.
° Regular cleaning of court facilities will continue with enhanced cleaning of commonly used areas, including those occupied by jurors.
° In-person court appearances will continue to operate on a reduced schedule to minimize courthouse density and the presence of jurors will be taken into consideration when scheduling in-person court appearances so that the combined total does not exceed facility density maximums.
° Plexiglass barriers will remain in place at various locations, including courthouse entrances.
° Social distancing cues, such as floor markers, will remain in place at queuing locations.
° Health and safety notices will be posted at elevators and outside restrooms.
° Wall mounted hand sanitizing stations have been installed at various locations throughout court buildings and will continue to be supplied with hand sanitizer.
° Reporting times for jurors will be staggered to ensure that proper physical distancing is maintained throughout the impanelment process and the service term.
° Jury impanelment will occur in large courtrooms to ensure appropriate physical distancing is maintained throughout the impanelment process.
° Offsite locations for Grand Jury presentations have been established in those counties where large rooms or courtrooms are not available within the courthouse to accommodate impaneled Grand Juries with social distancing requirements.
° Grand Jury witnesses will be provided with face shields to ensure proper protection during presentations, but still permitting Grand Jurors to view facial expressions.
° Public wireless internet service will continue to be available in all court facilities and in most, if not all offsite locations. Jurors may bring electronic devices and chargers, magazines and books.
° Jurors may bring the following items with them to court: resealable water bottles, as well as lunch items that do not require refrigeration or heating.
° Accommodations are available for those jurors who have medical needs. Such inquiries should be directed to the Jury Commissioner.
° The following persons are not permitted entry into a court facility:
- Those who are currently experiencing flu-like symptoms; or
- Those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 30 days; or
- Those who have been directed to quarantine or self-monitor for COVID-19 by a medical authority or employer; or
- Those who are a caregiver for or have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 during the past 30 days.
Any juror who falls into any one of these categories will be directed to call or email the Jury Commissioner in the county where summoned to discuss rescheduling jury service.
