Pierce County Superior Court suspends jury trials, citing rising COVID-19 case numbers
Pierce County Superior Court on Tuesday suspended all new civil and criminal jury trials for at least two and a half weeks, pointing to a need to keep staff and court participants safe while COVID-19 case numbers from the Omicron variant climb.
Jury trials are suspended until at least Jan. 21, with new trials slated to begin again Jan. 24. The suspension does not affect bench trials or other in-court appearances, according to a news release.
“We just don’t know what the numbers are going to come out after the Christmas and New Year’s break,” Superior Court administrator Chris Gaddis said in a brief phone call.
On Monday, the state reported 6,037 new cases of the coronavirus, and statewide totals reached 882,144 cases and 9,853 deaths.
The surge of cases across the country and in Pierce County could be seen in long wait times to receive a test and in crowded emergency rooms.
Gaddis said there is one jury trial underway at Superior Court that will continue until completed. He said he expects it to wrap up next week.
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 3:13 PM.
