15 Months Later, Connecticut Will Resume Jury Duty On June 1

CONNECTICUT — The state's Judicial Branch will resume jury trials — and jury duty — next month.

Jury trials were suspended 15 months ago at the start of the coronavirus outbreak. The relaxed guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a successful roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, and enhanced sanitization and ventilation protocols now in place at Judicial Branch facilities have turned that all around, according to a statement from Chief Court Administrator Patrick L. Carroll III.

The Judicial Branch will resume summoning jurors to courthouses throughout the state to restart the jury trial process as of June 1.

"We remain committed to assuring that all of our facilities are safe places within which to summon jurors and conduct jury trials," Carroll said.

Judicial Branch personnel to will be re-inspecting all of its buildings and courtrooms where trials will be held. Hand sanitization stations will be visible and available throughout, and protective microphone coverings will be available in each courtroom.

"Face shields will be available, as needed, for witnesses as they testify to assure that facial expressions may be observed and assessed during testimony," according to Carroll.

Other precautions include stockpiling personal protective equipment, and plans to hold jurors and conduct jury deliberations in a courtroom adjacent to the courtroom where the trial is being held will remain in place.

Trial judges will also have the option to order additional measures as the judge deems necessary to address concerns expressed by jurors or litigants during the proceedings.

"Through this process, we will take every step necessary to assure jurors, counsel, litigants and staff that their safety remains our primary concern and that we have taken, and will continue to take, all appropriate steps necessary to assure that safety," Carroll said.