Bloomberg Law
March 10, 2020, 7:44 PM

Virus Complicates Jury Trials as Courts Seek to Limit Spread (1)

Laurel  Brubaker Calkins
Laurel Brubaker Calkins
Bloomberg News
Christopher  Yasiejko
Christopher Yasiejko
Bloomberg Editorial

The spread of coronavirus poses a potential complication for a U.S. legal system that gathers thousands of people each week to serve as jurors in criminal and civil cases.

So far, few trials have been disrupted, and judges are taking precautions to keep courts open, like video conferences for hearings and urging sick people to stay home. But with more infections expected, they’re also preparing for the possibility they may not be able to call anyone for jury duty.

“There are carriers among us -- we’ve embraced that,” said Bexar County, Texas, Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, who created rules ...

Learn more about Bloomberg Law or Log In to keep reading:

Learn About Bloomberg Law

AI-powered legal analytics, workflow tools and premium legal & business news.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools.