Bexar County district court judge prepares for return of live jury trials
Efficiency key to addressing case backlog, 226th District Court Judge Velia Meza says
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SAN ANTONIO – In-person jury trials will resume next month in Bexar County, ending a 15-month moratorium on jury service and the return of busy courtrooms as judges begin to address a huge case backlog as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
”What I have started to do is narrow down the cases that are going to be a priority,” 226th District Court Judge Velia Meza said Tuesday.
Meza has begun conducting in-person pretrial hearings in cases that she plans to try initially.
May 11, 2021
A schedule for returning to jury trials is now in the hands of Bexar County s judges. The schedule covers both virtual and in-person trials in all 44 criminal, civil and misdemeanor courts. Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel put the schedule together and distributed it on Monday. The schedule directs jurors to the courtrooms where they need to be, eliminating long lines in crowded hallways. The schedule takes effect on May 28th, and Rangel says it may be adjusted as needed.
Jury trial schedule for Bexar County released
All 44 Bexar County courts included; judge describes schedule as complex
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Jury trial schedule for Bexar County released
SAN ANTONIO – A schedule for returning to jury trials, both in-person proceedings and virtual, has been presented to all 44 Bexar County judges.
The schedule includes all 44 criminal, civil and misdemeanor courts.
“The process itself is confusing and complicated, but at the same time it’s going to be more efficient,” Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel, who put the schedule together, said Monday. “Every single day there will be six different jury trials that will be started. Four live jury trials and two virtual trials on the civil side.”
Apr 30, 2021
Bexar County jury summonses now give potential jurors the option of reporting to the courthouse virtually. Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel said on Thursday that the summonses will have a link recipients can use to log into jury selection through Zoom. After filling out a questionnaire and asking whatever questions they may have, potential jurors will be given a date to show up at the courthouse in person. Jury service is resuming for the first time since March of last year, when a moratorium was ordered because of the pandemic.
Photo: Getty Images
Recently mailed Bexar County jury summonses include changes
Initial response from jurors will be done virtually
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Recently mailed Bexar County jury summonses include changes
SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County officials began mailing jury summonses to area residents one week ago the first time they’ve been sent since a moratorium on jury service was ordered in March 2020 amid coronavirus concerns.
Though the summonses include a date that recipients need to report to the courthouse, that doesn’t mean they go in person.
“When they report, they may do it online through Zoom, through virtual means,” Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel said Thursday. “There is going to be a link for them to click on and log in.”