Iowa Chief Justice: In-Person Trials to Restart Next Month
Des Moines, Iowa – Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen said last Wednesday that the coronavirus pandemic forced the court system to enact two shutdowns of jury trials and institute remote hearings, but she is determined to resume in-person trials in February.
Giving the annual Condition of the Judiciary speech to the Iowa Legislature, Christensen said judiciary officials worked to balance the need to keep people safe with a commitment to conduct court business.
“And I am proud to report today that the judicial branch did not succumb to COVID-19,” Christensen said.
In March, Christensen suspended jury trials and resumed them in September with mask requirements, social distancing, Plexiglas dividers and public viewing areas outside courtrooms. After a surge in virus cases in October, in-person trials were again halted in November with plans to resume Feb. 1.
Additionally, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, in her Condition of the State address last week, called on state lawmakers to send her a bill to require schools to offer parents the option of having their children in classrooms full time, despite the ongoing high levels of coronavirus throughout the state.
Watch the full Condition of the Judiciary address via PBS at youtu.be/hG-HopHhUII.
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