

America’s legal system is under pressure. COVID-19 safety measures created massive backlogs. But as trials begin again, many jurors simply aren’t reporting for duty. Most cite pandemic concerns as their excuses. Now legal experts must resolve the clash between speedy trials and public health.
Jury duty notices have upset Nicholas Philbrook’s home. The Philbrook family worries Nicholas will contract the coronavirus and infect his wife’s father, a 70-something cancer survivor with diabetes. Philbrook has been trying to convince court officials to excuse him from jury duty because his father-in-law lives with him.
“My main concern is you still have to go into a building,” says Philbrook. “In an enclosed space, how safe are you?”
Some state and federal courts have suspended jury trials because of rising virus rates. Recently, multiple U.S. judges declared mistrials because people connected to the trials either tested positive for the virus or had symptoms.
A few courts have held trials by video conference. Video conferences may seem like a good idea, but many defense lawyers oppose them. It’s hard to detect witness honesty and tell whether jurors are paying attention, says lawyer Christopher Adams.
Criminal defense lawyers point to another major problem: With these delays, defendants are denied the constitutional right to a speedy trial.
There’s also the problem of having too few people appear for jury duty. In one Connecticut trial, only about half the possible jurors showed up. Others were excused for various reasons, including concerns about COVID-19. Only 19 jurors were left, short of the 31 usually needed to pick a jury of 12 and one alternate.
Then two court security officers tested positive. That closed the courthouse for cleaning. It also prompted Judge Vanessa Bryant’s law clerk to go into isolation and get tested for infection.
Bryant postponed jury selection. She ruled public health interests outweigh those of a speedy trial.
In San Diego, a criminal case had to be postponed because too few people showed up for jury duty. Officials twice summoned 900 people, but only about 40 people showed up each time.
Failure to report to jury duty is a crime in most states. Punishment can include fines and even short jail sentences.
“Many courts have been responsive to jurors who have said that they’re not comfortable with coming to court,” says legal analyst Bill Raftery.
For now, the legal system limps along. Lawyer Adams says, “For almost everybody, there is no compelling need for trials to go forward during the pandemic.” That “almost” likely includes those awaiting their day in court—at least for those hoping for acquittal.
1st Comment!!!!!! P.S. This is Caro
People do have a right to a "Fair and speedy trial", but we also need to stay healthy! I think online trials make sense, but they brought up those other things too!
Eh....covid isn't that bad.
Eh....covid isn't that bad.
Third Comment
Yesh, they need a way to do it, but can't find any good way to do it!
@Above
I agree with NA. I understand being careful, but fear has taken over lives and they are now being ridiculous. We should just be getting back together like normal. Masks don't help if you are healthy. They actually are not so great for you if you are healthy. they only help if you have covid by bot spreading it.
Does anyone else wonder if the things that are happening is the beginning of the end of the world when Jesus will come?
@ Riley
My thoughts exactly
@ Riley D
No, not really
@Riley D and Bethy S
I don't really think that this is the beginning of the end times because the Gospel has not yet been spread to all the nations. There are thousands and thousands of people out there who have never heard the name of Jesus. Even if mission work was going better, just because Joe Biden is going to be president doesn't mean that everything is going to be ruined. The president doesn't have all of the power. The Republicans hold the senate, so the president can't do whatever he wants.
@Riley D P.S. This is Caro
I thought that but it's not like we can predict it. We just have to be ready.
@ Addie
Yes!! Amen
@Riley
Honestly I agree that people should stop being plagued by fear about the coronavirus. Also, wearing a mask is kind of ridiculous because if you remember the CDC didn't want us to wear masks at first. It should raise eyebrows that they changed their mind with no good explanation why. Just do your job and if you don't want to then just quit. I don't know about virtually held zoom though...it sounds like it could be easily manipulated (someone behind the person speaking holding up what she should say, IT "issues", off screen bribery, etc) I hope someone will find this helpful and/or tell me if I'm wrong. thanks!
this is Mylee
where i live barely anybody wears a mask. nobody really cares . They know that its silly to shut down the economy for This virus only 1 percent or less of people die.