BARTOW — In-person jury trials expected to take two days or fewer will resume Wednesday, according to Circuit Court Judge Jalal Harb.
“Since November 2020 and because of the deterioration of the health situation in the community on the ground, the operational plans had to be modified and we had to resort back to more restrictions – jury trials as of late were paused,” Harb said. “Starting Wednesday of this week, jury trials will resume...the ones that would take a day or two days.”
Those include felonies and misdemeanors, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, courthouses have been closed for business and hearings for cases have been heard via teleconference, Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The Florida Supreme Court also lifted the requirement for a speedy trial.