NORTH ADAMS â It has been 15 months since jurors considered a case in Northern Berkshire District Court, seizing up the normal wheels of justice. Thatâs about to change. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court says restrictions on jury trials, other than masking requirements, end July 12.
Quote There s no question there s a backlog. We have some cases that are a couple years old now.
â Timothy Morey, clerk-magistrate, Northern Berkshire District Court
When the coronavirus pandemic struck the U.S. in March 2020, courts closed and jury trials were put on hold. Since then, jury trials have been limited across the county.
Three jury trials have been held this year in all of Berkshire County â one Superior Court case and two juvenile cases, all at the Pittsfield Holiday Inn & Suites, according to Jennifer Donahue, a spokesperson for the stateâs Trial Court. Cases of those in custody will continue to be prioritized, the SJC said in a policy statement last w