If you had jury duty on your personal schedule in Berrien County anytime between now and the week of August 17th, you’re off the hook. Chief Judge Mabel Mayfield of the Berrien County Trial Court announced Monday that “all jury pools until the week of August 17th have been canceled.”
The news came in a dispatch regarding amended orders for the Berrien County Trial Court response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayfield says that in accordance with the Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-19, the Berrien County Trial Court may begin holding jury trials when the court moves into Phase 3 of re-opening operations.
That order indicates that any court proceeding with jury trials “shall begin holding jury trials using trial standards approved by the State Court Administrative Office.” Judge Mayfield says that as of Monday, June 29th, those standards have not yet been provided, adding, “Additionally, in accordance with the court’s prior order regarding jury trials dated June 1, 2020 all jury pools until the week of August 17th have been canceled. Thus the court updates its order regarding jury trials as follows:
Jury trials for all divisions of the court may begin the week of August 17, 2020. The presiding judges in coordination with trial court administration will limit the number of jury trials per day to accommodate all social distancing requirements in effect at that time.”
The judge reminds everyone that all dates are subject to further review by the Chief Judge.
