The Supreme Court stopped all trials in mid-May and that has created a backlog of jury trials. It is estimated that there are 165 people currently sitting in jail or prison and close to 900 cases statewide of people awaiting jury trials. Duchesne County had the first trial in late October and the Utah court system was planning to start holding jury trials with extra safety precautions but was halted after there was a round of higher positive rates of COVID-19. After consulting with medical experts the courts have set up a new process. The selection process will consider a person’s individual circumstances in determining whether they will sit on a jury. If chosen, the juror will have their temperature checked when they arrive at the courthouse and will be required to wear masks at all times. On the first day of trial everyone involved with the trial will receive a rapid COVID test. If a test is positive another test will be given to confirm results and if confirmed the individual will be sent home. Extra jurors will be on hand to make sure that the process can continue. The first trial will be January 25th in Salt Lake County with the next being in Duchesne County in early February.
