Spread of Omicron variant forces suspension of all Calhoun County jury trials until at least February 11

BATTLE CREEK, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – All jury trials in the Calhoun County Court system are temporarily suspended due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in Southwest Michigan and specifically in Calhoun County.

Calhoun County Chief Judge Michael Jaconette says the trials are tentatively scheduled to resume on Friday, February 11, 2022.

He says this decision was made after consulting with the Calhoun County Health Officer Eric Pessell and reviewing data on the spread of the Omicron variant.

Court administration will meet again with Pessell in early February to assess conditions and to determine whether jury trials may resume the week of February 14 or whether the temporary suspension of jury trials should be extended.

The courts will continue to utilize remote hearings whenever it is practicable to do so.