Just as it appeared courts might be easing back into session in Georgia, cases of coronavirus have surged, prompting some districts to suspend upcoming jury trials. Hall County is among those putting January trials on hold.
Earlier this fall, Georgia's Chief Justice Harold D. Melton had authorized judges to resume grand jury proceedings and jury trials as long as they felt they could do so safely and within health guidelines. On Wednesday, however, Melton signaled judges should be ready to reverse course.
"COVID-19 conditions are worsening dramatically in many parts of the State," Melton said in his order. "While this order does not impose a blanket shutdown of non-essential in-person proceedings, courts should remain vigilant of changing COVID-19 conditions and be prepared to suspend jury trials as necessary and to reconsider grand jury proceedings as well. For those in-person proceedings courts decide to continue, they should do so only if they can maintain the safety of all participants."
After the order was issued, Hall County court officials determined it was best to suspend Superior Court jury trials for next month.
"Superior Court has halted two trial weeks that were scheduled to occur January 4 and January 11 due to the current number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations being reported in our area, and out of a concern that the holiday season may see continued increases," Hall County Court Administrator Jason Stephenson said in an email statement.
To date, Hall County has recorded 13,614 positive cases of COVID 19 with 1,475 of those confirmed in the last two weeks. COVID hospitalizations at Northeast Georgia Health System facilities reached another daily record on Thursday with 217 patients being treated for the virus.
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