Jury trials in McKean County have been suspended until April 15, according to an order issued Wednesday by President Judge John Pavlock.
The order declared a judicial emergency, but did not close the courts, Pavlock was careful to note.
“We have, and will continue to, process cases and hold hearings through the use of advanced communication technology,” read a press release from the judge. “Only jury trials are suspended.”
Any in-person hearings at the county court or magisterial district judges’ offices are suspended, explained Joanne Bly, court administrator.
In the release, Pavlock said the court had begun a process over the summer where jury selection was held through the use of video conference technology. However, “jurors, the parties, counsel and court staff were still required to appear in person” for the trials to begin.
“Based on the substantial recent increase in McKean County Covid cases, the risk of spread is now simply too high to bring individuals together for jury trials,” Pavlock continued.
He explained this means that some trials, unavoidably, will be delayed for several months.
“However, the benefit of holding those trials in several months when a vaccine is available, and the risk of spread is, hopefully, much lower, outweighed the drawbacks created by this delay,” the judge said.
Pavlock’s order spelled out that civil and criminal proceedings before the Court of Common Pleas and the district judges are to be held by video conference or telephone. Exceptions are permitted in few “extreme and unusual” instances, and only with prior approval from Pavlock.
All rules that limit the use of video conferencing are suspended; all filings may be done electronically; and all state rules pertaining to the right of a speedy trial or release on nominal bail are suspended.
Pavlock’s order is posted on the entry doors of the McKean County Courthouse, all district judges’ offices, and on the entry door of the McKean County Domestic Relations’ Complex, as well as being available on the county’s website. It has been sent to the McKean County Bar Association to be distributed to all attorneys, too.
