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Crime

Jury trials suspended across Maryland until April as coronavirus cases surge

Baltimore Sun
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The Baltimore County Circuit Court has installed plastic barrier shields throughout the courthouse to protect people from the coronavirus, like these shown Sept. 10, 2020, in family court.

The Baltimore County Circuit Court has installed plastic barrier shields throughout the courthouse to protect people from the coronavirus, like these shown Sept. 10, 2020, in family court. (Kenneth K. Lam)

Jury trials are suspended across Maryland until the end of April after the state’s chief judge issued an administrative order amid a surge of coronavirus cases.

Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera said in the order Tuesday that Phase II operations will also remain in effect until March 14. Jury trials won’t resume until April 23.

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District Court and circuit courts hear specific case types remotely or in-person in Phase II, and are using technology for remote proceedings, either by video or telephone. Clerks’ offices will remain open to the public for emergency purposes and by appointment for other matters.

“The surge in COVID-19 cases during November is expected to be sustained through the winter, making it necessary for the Maryland judiciary to remain in Phase II of its operations plan,” Barbera wrote.

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“We will continue to monitor the public health emergency and adjust court operations, as necessary, to protect the safety of the public, judges and judiciary personnel. We will also ensure that as many of the judiciary’s core functions continue to the extent the emergency conditions allow.”

Maryland courts had resumed full operations, including jury trials, on Oct. 5. But in November, they scaled back as COVID-19 cases continued to rise across the state.

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