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CONCORD, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) – Jury trials are being postponed in New Hampshire because of rising Covid-19 rates.
On Wednesday, Chief Justice of New Hampshire Superior Court Tina Nadeau announced all jury trials and grand juries will be postponed throughout the state through the month of January. This comes as the Court already scheduled a pause in jury trials for the last week in January per recommendation of the Criminal Defense Task Force.
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“We are pausing jury trials because, in part, of the difficulty in managing a juror population who are increasingly having to drop out because of sickness or exposure and the unique challenges these proceedings entail,” Chief Justice Nadeau said. “I believe this temporary pause in jury trials will better allow the courts to safely continue other necessary court operations during the winter surge of COVID-19.”
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Jury trials are scheduled to resume in February in all New Hampshire counties if Covid-19 infections substantially decrease. Nadeau said the Court will continue to evaluate the safety of conducting jury trials every week.
“Bench trials and other court proceedings will remain in-person unless the parties request a remote hearing,” Nadeau concluded.
All courts in the state will remain open to the public for all other purposes. More information on jury trials in New Hampshire can be found on the NHJB website.
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