Chief Justice reminds all Georgians of duty to serve as jurors
In a new set of public service announcements (PSAs), Chief Justice Harold D. Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia reminds citizens of their critical role in ensuring justice for all. Entitled “Justice Needs Jurors,” the series of video messages that will begin airing in November emphasizes the need for citizens to serve as jurors while assuring them that complex measures are being put into place to protect their health and safety.
“The right to a trial by jury is fundamental to the American system of justice,” Chief Justice Melton says in one of the PSAs. “When we decided in March to suspend jury trials in Georgia due to the virus, it was a hard call. Delaying that process has made a tough situation even more difficult for those awaiting justice.”
Jury trials and most grand jury proceedings have been suspended in Georgia since March 14, 2020, when the Chief Justice first declared a Statewide Judicial Emergency in response to the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Since then, he has extended the emergency Order every 30 days, as state law permits.
The Order signed on Oct. 10, which extended the judicial emergency for the sixth time, immediately lifted the suspension of jury trials in Georgia and allowed them to resume under strict COVID-19 safety guidelines and at the discretion of the Chief Judge of each superior court in consultation with the local District Attorney. The PSAs are meant to support the efforts of local courts and to encourage jurors to respond to local jury summons as part of their civic duty. “Working with Georgia medical experts, we have established rigorous safety protocols for courthouses, courtrooms, and jury spaces,” Chief Justice Melton explains in the message. “If you are summoned for jury duty, please, note, we will do everything we can to keep you and your loved ones safe as you serve.”
Specific protocols will be followed, such as:
♦ Pre-screening in the form of temperature checks
♦ Social distancing, especially in the jury box
♦ Masks required everywhere in the courthouse
♦ Installation of plexiglass barriers
♦ Frequent surface cleaning throughout the day
♦ Touch-free technology. The videos can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/ playlist?list=PLh2Q20O bPLR-22H5WtYM98WVXt6fLNa2L.