19th Judicial Circuit Jury Task Force Develops 'Serving Safely Plan’

The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit’s Jury Task Force comprised of criminal and civil judges, court administration, and the Lake County Health Department, worked together to form protocols in order to safely resume jury trials in light of COVID-19. The task force studied best practices from the National Center for State Courts, and also consulted state and national jury trial experts in order to develop appropriate procedures to meet the current health crisis.

The task force developed temporary policies for jury trials that will safeguard due process, while also prioritizing the safety of all parties involved including jurors, attorneys, court staff, and the public. These procedures were reviewed with the guidance of the Lake County Health Department.