The safety of jurors and employees remains the Court's overriding priority. As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, the Chief Judge is monitoring the situation closely in light of national and local health advisories.
During jury service, the Court will implement thorough safety and hygiene best practices to assist jurors in complying with COVID-19 health advisories.
The Court will ensure a clean and sanitary environment by:
- regularly sanitizing facilities and surfaces,
- making hand-sanitizer available in public areas,
- reducing multi-touch items and surfaces, and
- minimizing the need for passing objects.
In addition, the Court will limit exposure to courthouse staff and visitors by:
- requiring face coverings in all public areas (provided upon request),
- staggering hearings to limit courthouse occupancy and provide time for sanitization,
- minimizing in-person hearings and encouraging e-filing, more info found here,
- altering paths of travel and facility configurations to assist with physical distancing,
- providing qualifying parking reimbursement to reduce mass-transit travel, and
- permitting jurors who are symptomatic, high-risk, medically vulnerable, or care providers to request deferral of jury service.
The Court also recommends that jurors:
- bring their own face coverings, gloves, and hand-sanitizer,
- bring their own lunch, beverages, and snacks,
- bring their own pens,
- allow extra time for parking and spaced courthouse entry,
- place jewelry, watches, wallets, belts, keys, loose change, hats, etc. in their bag before arriving at the security checkpoint, and
- have their summons and picture I.D. in hand before arriving at the jury check-in location.
Check the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact your local divisional office if you have questions regarding your upcoming jury service.