The Kentucky Supreme Court provided guidance Tuesday on jury trials as courts plan to gradually expand operations starting June 1.
According to the Administrative Office of the Courts, jury trials shall be postponed and rescheduled for no sooner than August 1 and grand jury proceedings will begin, effective June 1.
Officials say jurors who are ill, caring for someone who is ill, in a high-risk category, unable to wear a facial covering, or who will suffer further economic loss as a result of jury service shall have their service postponed or excused.
Strict health and safety requirements — including mandatory use of facial coverings by jurors, social distancing, and disinfecting — must be followed for all grand jury proceedings.
On Friday, the Supreme Court issued an Administrative Order which highlighted the health and safety requirements for expanding court operations beginning June 1. The Supreme Court will address other legal matters, such as evictions, in subsequent orders as the Judicial Branch’s three Reopening Task Force continues to meet and make recommendations.
Two judges in Christian County were appointed to serve on the Reopening Task Force. Christian Family Court Judge Jason Fleming was chosen to serve on the family court task force and Christian District Court Judge Foster Cotthoff was selected to serve on the district court task force.