San Mateo County’s top judge Monday ordered the suspension of jury trials in the county until Aug. 17 in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and potential exposure of a jury to the disease.
San Mateo County Superior Court Presiding Judge Jonathan Karesh said in an email a person present in a courtroom where a jury trial was held last week tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, the jurors were notified and excused from further jury service on the case, he said.
“We believe that the risk to the jury was quite low because everyone in the courtroom was wearing masks and were doing social distancing as much as possible,” Karesh said. “However, our primary goal here is to keep the citizens of San Mateo County who are called for jury duty safe and protected as much as possible.”
Karesh added that if circumstances change, he’ll consider changing or rescinding the order.
The order comes after jury trials in San Mateo County resumed between June 15 and July 20 after being shut down for roughly three months starting mid-March due to the pandemic.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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