MARTINEZ — The presiding judge of Contra Costa County has ordered a freeze on all jury trials — except those that have already started — over concerns about rising COVID infection rates, including seven recent positive cases among court staff.
In a mass email to attorneys and court staff Monday morning, Presiding Judge Rebecca Hardie wrote that she is “suspending all jury selection/panels until Jan. 24,” with plans to re-evaluate the order on Jan. 14. The order comes one week after the omicron variant was first detected in Contra Costa County; Hardie’s email says infection rates have increased by 156.9 percent since then.
“This is a very disappointing development as the Court was making good progress in addressing the backlog of cases,” Hardie wrote. “That said, the risk of exposure and infection for court employees and court users (including defendants detained in county jail) is too great for the time being.”
As of Monday, Contra Costa was reporting 3,282 active COVID-19 cases, all reported in the previous 14 days, and is quickly approaching a new case rate higher than the delta wave that peaked in August. The test positivity rate for recent days has increased dramatically, nearly quadrupling since early December to almost 8%, though the data is still preliminary.
All other court services are continuing as usual, according to a spokesperson for the court system.
Contra Costa Courts saw a similar semi-shutdown during the last winter surge in December 2020, which was lifted last March. Hardie’s order means that anyone called for jury service between now and at least Jan. 14 is excused.
Source: www.mercurynews.com