Midland County sets tentative plan to resume jury trials

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The Midland County Courthouse has set criteria and procedures in place to move forward with jury trials. | Pixabay

Midland County is eager to begin moving out from underneath the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of resuming its jury trials.

Midland County reported in a press release the 441st District sets plan to resume criminal and civil jury trials while adhering to policies and procedures designed to ensure safety. The decision on whether the county can move forward will be made according to the Jury Proceeding Addendum to the COVID-19 Operating Plan for the county judiciary.

An operating plan has been formulated and tested during four trials during 2020. In all four trials, there are no issues reported and very positive feedback from the process.

The new jury terms, if approved to move forward, will start in March 2021. Jeff Robnett, 441st District Judge and Administrative Judge for the county said the addendum to the county plan was developed to ensure the safety and health of jurors, litigants, attorneys, visitors, court staff, judges and other individuals.

From that came some proactive measures for the jury proceedings which starts with the Horseshoe Arena. Jury selection will take place in the arena with court taking place in reconfigured court rooms in the Midland County Courthouse.

Policies for the courtroom start with a limited number of people allowed in the courtroom during a trial. Face masks and shields will be used during a trial. EMS personnel will also be on-hand for screening at the Horseshoe Arena. Those screened include those arriving at the arena for selection and jurors who will be sat during a trial.

Other practices that will be observed as a routine include the continual disinfecting of chairs, paper exhibits and the microphone wind shields. Numerous other parts of the plans are in place to ensure a safe working environment as the county can begin dispensing a heavy backlog.