New Hampshire courts seek to reduce backlog of jury trials
Need to hold trials weighed against safety concerns of pandemic Share Updated: 6:52 PM EST Feb 19, 2021
Need to hold trials weighed against safety concerns of pandemic Share Updated: 6:52 PM EST Feb 19, 2021
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Show Transcript BRAKES ON MUCH OF THE TRIAL COURT PROCESS, BUT THERE IS A PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD TO ADDRESS THE BACKLOG OF CASES. IT’S A PAINSTAKINGLY SLOW PROCESS. THERE HAVE BEEN FEW JURY TRIALS SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT COURT OFFICIALS SAY JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED. JUDGE NADEAU: SO WE HAVE TO BALANCE BOTH THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND THE SAFETY IN A PANDEMIC, A PANDEMIC THAT CAN RESULT IN DEATH. I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE BALANCING THESE THINGS. ANDY: JUDGE TINA NADEAU SAYS THERE IS A COMPLICATED 30-PAGE SET OF SAFETY METRICS THAT SHE CONSULTS BEFORE GIVING A TRIAL THE GREEN LIGHT. SUPERIOR COURT TRIALS RESUMED WITH A PILOT PROGRAM IN CHESHIRE