KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Monday, Kalamazoo County Judges Alexander C. Lipsey and Christopher T. Haenicke released a letter for Kalamazoo citizens announcing the return of jury trials, which have been on hold since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The letter can be read below:
“Since the first day of the COVID-19 Pandemic, all of the Courts in Kalamazoo County (the 8th District Court, the 9th Circuit Court, and the Kalamazoo County Probate Court), have been open and conducting business. Initially, almost all of the Court’s activities happened through remote operations and virtual court proceedings.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the Pandemic, we could not safely hold jury trials at the start of the Pandemic. Accordingly, the Courts suspended all jury trials in March of this year. However, beginning on the first day that we suspended jury trials, we began planning for how to safely resume those jury trials as soon as possible.
After much testing, planning, patience, work, and collaboration with the County Health Department, we are now ready to resume holding jury trials. Jury summons have been sent out citizens in Kalamazoo County and, last week, the District Court held its first jury trial since the start of the Pandemic.
Throughout our planning process, our top priority has been, and will continue to be, ensuring the health and safety of the jurors, judges, parties, witnesses, attorneys, and court staff, in the courthouses. We believe that it is important that our citizens know that the Courts has taken extra precautions and measures to provide everyone with a safe environment.”
Officials say that safety guidelines will be in place with recommendations from the Kalamazoo County Health and Human Services Department and the Michigan State Court Administrative Office. They include the following:
- Reducing the number of jurors summoned to report
- Staggering juror reporting times to minimize waiting room occupancy
- Implementing a check-in process to include no-contact exchange of documents
and minimizing face-to-face interactions - Moving jurors between waiting areas and courtrooms through contactless entries
and exits - Requiring the wearing of face masks while inside all courthouses
- Placing floor markings throughout the courthouse to maintain social distancing
- Re-arranging furniture to support social distancing including spacing in the jury
waiting room, courtrooms and deliberation rooms - Screening for Covid-19 symptoms including daily temperature checks and health
screenings - Cleaning and sanitizing common areas thoroughly and frequently after use
- Making hand sanitizer available throughout courthouse and providing disposable
seat covers in jury waiting areas - Installing plexi-shield partitions at check-in counters and in courtrooms to
minimize face-to-face exposure
“We also recognize that, even with these precautions, some citizens will be unable to appear for jury service because of their age, their underlying medical conditions, or other hardships caused by the pandemic,” officials added. “The Jury Services Department is prepared to grant excusals and postponements as necessary.”
They concluded the letter by saying all Court Staff is committed to ensuring that the jury trials and other court proceedings are conducted safely.
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