Thousands in jail await trials that are still a long way off. N.J.’s top court considers releasing some. Updated Jan 20, 2021; Posted Jan 20, 2021 New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner in a Jan. 9, 2017, file photo in Trenton. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com)TT TT Michael Mancuso Facebook Share New Jersey’s highest court is considering releasing hundreds of people awaiting trial behind bars as the coronavirus continues to keep juries at a standstill. Thousands of people in jail across the state have yet to be convicted, according to court records. Keeping so many locked up risked their health and violated their rights, the state’s top public defender and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey argued Wednesday during a nearly two-hour hearing before the state Supreme Court.