PORTLAND, Ore. — As coronavirus case numbers climb across the Portland metro, multiple courts are making changes to keep juries out of the courtroom temporarily.
On Thursday, Clark County Superior Court voted to temporarily suspend jury trials due to the spread of the coronavirus. The rising numbers across the region are due to the fast spreading omicron variant.
Clark County Superior Court Judge Derek Vanderwood said the suspension period signed on Jan. 6 extends to Jan. 31, with readiness hearings to be held on Jan. 27 for those trials.
"We will be evaluating the situation and may extend the jury trial suspension if necessary," Judge Vanerwood said in a statement to KGW. "We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work through these challenging issues."
Multnomah County continues to hold in-person jury selection, but it will transition to online jury selection starting Jan. 24. The court summons jurors weeks in advance so the transition period may take a few weeks, a court spokesperson said.
Clackamas County continues to hold in-person jury selection, but the court recently made some changes because of current COVID-19 conditions. Clackamas County Trial Court Administrator Debbie Spradley said the court is requiring social distancing in its Jury Assembly Room.
"As we have done throughout the pandemic, we are closely monitoring the situation and will make changes to our policy and procedure based on that," Spradley said. "In addition, we would implement any changes directed or ordered by the Chief Justice."
KGW has reached out to the Washington County Circuit Court about plans to suspend or change jury trails due to rising cases of COVID-19 but has not yet heard back.
This article will be updated.
