County courts told to delay jury trials
12/16/20 6:21 AM
HANCOCK COUNTY — The county’s courts have once again been asked by state officials to delay jury trials due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
While the local courts will continue to operate as fully as possible, — conducting other tasks such as bench trials, hearings and sentencings — the mandate will affect the caseload of the county’s three courts for weeks.
The Indiana Supreme Court handed down an order suspending all jury trials statewide late Monday, Dec. 14. The moratorium will last until March 1, 2021. The court cited the need for “drastic measures” as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise. State officials said in-person jury trials pose an “exceptional risk” to everyone involved — even if every precaution is taken.