Criminal courts face challenge of trials during pandemic As criminal trials begin, COVID-19 remains a problem Judges will do everything they can to make things safer, from requiring masks to trying to socially separate everyone in the courtroom. and last updated 2021-04-08 19:55:47-04 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) â Criminal trials are back in Tennessee, but will there be COVID in the court? That's a big concern now that the State Supreme Court this month lifted the ban that was in place during the past year because of the pandemic. There are already problems, and there's no guarantee you can have trials without people getting sick.