Restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and exacerbated court backlogs this year, but defendants in several major 2019 cases were sentenced.
The pandemic public health measures caused a huge backlog in criminal and civil cases in district and superior courts.
In March, the court system suspended trials but criminal hearings continued with new safety precautions. More than two months later, Superior Court began holding live-streamed virtual court.
Over the summer, staff transformed portions of the Cowlitz County Event Center into courtrooms large enough to hold socially-distanced jury trials.
The first criminal trial held since March was held Sept. 23. Everyone wore face masks, jurors sat six feet apart and plexiglass surrounded the witness stand and separated the prosecution and defense.