Jury Trials Suspended In Sarasota, Manatee DeSoto Counties

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — With new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths continuing to rise in the region, the 12th Circuit Court in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties has temporarily suspended jury trials starting Monday.

“The health, safety and well-being of courthouse visitors, jurors, court employees and judicial officers are a high priority, and we must continue to take steps to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the courts, its participants and the general public, while fulfilling the court system’s responsibilities for the administration of justice,” Chief Judge Charles Roberts wrote in an administrative order issued Wednesday.

All cases with jury panels scheduled to be selected before Monday may go ahead with jury selection if all parties agree, according to the order.

The court will monitor COVID-19 data in the region and give a minimum of two weeks’ notice when it’s safe for jury trials to resume.

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Roberts noted that Florida continues to lead the country in new coronavirus cases. Based on data from the Florida Department of Health, the state averaged more than 21,445 new cases each day between Aug. 13-19, he said. In the week of June 11, less than 1,500 new cases were reported daily.

Cases are also rising significantly in the region.

“Unfortunately, Desoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties continue to show alarming upward trends in positive COVID-19 cases. The most recent 14-day trend shows a 67 percent increase in cases in Manatee County, a 49 percent increase in cases in Sarasota County and an 87 percent increase in cases in DeSoto County,” Roberts said.

The judge previously issued an administrative order requiring face masks be worn in all public areas of courthouses in these counties to prevent the spread of COVID-19.