MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont court system is studying ways to resume jury trials safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, the courts announced on Monday.
In late May, the Vermont Supreme Court established a Jury Restart Committee and named associate justices Karen Carroll and Harold Eaton as co-chairs. The report, submitted to the Supreme Court July 21, includes 28 recommendations regarding the resumption of criminal jury trials.
These recommendations address community safety, public health and other issues relating to restarting criminal trials.
“The committee report provides us with a thoughtful and detailed roadmap to consider in connection with our efforts to reestablish jury trials – an essential feature of our justice system,” Chief Justice Paul Reiber said in a statement.
The Supreme Court has asked Chief Superior Judge Brian Grearson and the State Court Administrator Patricia Gabel to review the committee’s report and provide the Court with an implementation plan.
The report does not address the resumption of civil jury trials.
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NUMBERS
The Vermont Health Department on Monday reported two new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to just over 1,400. The new cases were reported in Franklin and Orange counties.
The number of deaths remains at 56, where it has been for more than a month.
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