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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowHoping to allay fears of people summoned to federal court for jury duty as trials resume next week, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has posted a video detailing the steps the court is taking to protect jurors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson is featured in the video that provides jurors an overview of what to expect from arrival at the courthouse through the conclusion of their service. Some preventive measures the court is taking include:
- Requiring everyone who enters the courthouse to wear a face covering, unless a valid medical excuse is presented or a judge orders otherwise.
- Requiring social distancing of at least 6 feet throughout the courthouse, courtrooms and jury rooms. Plexiglas barriers have been installed in the few spaces where social distancing is not possible.
- Requiring all visitors to answer health screening questions before being allowed to enter a courthouse.
- Conducting enhanced cleaning in all public spaces at least once per day. In between enhanced cleaning sessions, court staff will disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
The court, which earlier this week announced jury trials will resume Sept. 1, noted just one jury trial will start per day and onsite court personnel will be limited to only those necessary to maintain court operations.
Like the federal court, Indiana trial courts likewise have used videos to inform potential jurors about the precautions being taken as trials resume.
More information about the steps the Southern District is taking to protect jurors can be found here.
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