Carson City jurors report feeling safe serving on first jury trial since the pandemic began
Kristin N. Luis, Carson City Justice/Municipal Court Judge presided over the first jury trial during the COVID-19 pandemic on September 22nd and 23rd at the Carson City Courthouse.
44 prospective jurors appeared to perform their civic duty to decide a domestic battery case.
After the trial ended, jurors were surveyed to provide feedback to the court on their experience being jurors during the pandemic. All stated that they believed the court had taken appropriate precautionary measures and they felt safe serving as a juror.
The biggest complaints were delays needed to resolve legal issues outside of their presence and the request for snacks.
Judge Luis conveyed to the jurors, “service of all jurors is vital to our community, our country, and the judicial system. Without citizens answering the call of jury service, the constitutional right to a jury trial would not be possible. This is even more critical during a pandemic where victims and defendants are awaiting the adjudication process.”
The next jury trial scheduled is on October 15, 2020.