DISTRICT COURT RESPONSE TO COVID-19
|
|
|
|
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS
TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
POSTPONEMENT OF JURY TRIALS SCHEDULED THROUGH
THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
By order of the Chief Judge, following continued consultation with local health officials,
and in consideration of the current surge of COVID-19 Delta variant infections in this
County and the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area, all jury trials in the Tenth Judicial
District scheduled to begin through and including the week of September 27, 2021
are suspended and shall be rescheduled by the assigned judges on those cases.
The recent resurgence of infections and hospitalizations from the Delta variant virus strain
has made Johnson County an area of substantial or high community transmission of the virus,
ranking third of the 105 counties in the State of Kansas. Statewide rates are
equally concerning to the point that the Governor has ordered all state employees to work
remotely where possible through October 4, 2021. Further, the Kansas Supreme Court has
reiterated the standard health protocols for all district courts in the State to avoid
exposure to the virus of all court users, staff, and judicial officers.
Court staff are highly encouraged to operate all functions remotely when possible.
Travel for conferences and training by judicial personnel is limited
through October 29, 2021. The Supreme Court has further directed in-person
conferences and trainings involving more than 10 people to be restricted
through October 29, 2021
Locally, a recent outbreak of positive COVID-19 tests among inmates at the
New Century Adult Detention Center has resulted in isolation and quarantine
protocols to restrict further spread of the virus. Inmates at the Detention
Center are among the persons scheduled for jury trials and the isolation
requirements can further restrict those persons able to attend trial proceedings
at the present time.
The Pandemic Response Team continues to maintain a vigilant monitoring of our public
health conditions and rates of virus spread, in conjunction with regular
consultation with the medical director for Johnson County to assess and evaluate
local health conditions and trends. All of these conditions and factors are weighed in
consideration of resumption of jury trials with the need for large numbers of persons
summonsed to appear and participate as potential jurors in the scheduled trials.
Matters scheduled for in-person hearings other than jury trials shall continue to be
held, with the primary consideration remaining that video/remote hearings are the
norm unless exceptional circumstances require personal attendance in the courtrooms,
all in the discretion of the assigned judge.
The continuing flux and nearly daily changes in the public health environment require the
Pandemic Response Team to evaluate, consult and determine any further modifications to
court operations for the safety and protection of court users, the public entering the
courthouse, staff members and judicial officers. The monitoring and evaluation for future
operations in October and ensuing months will be communicated to members of the Bar and the
general public through these list serv postings as well as updates on the
Johnson County District Court website JOHNSON COUNTY DISTRICT COURT .
Thanks to all who work for and within the judicial branch here in Johnson County.
Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated in these uncertain and changing days.
Be safe and stay healthy.
Kelly Ryan
Thomas Kelly Ryan
Chief Judge
Tenth Judicial District
|
|
|
|
|