Jury trials resumed Sept. 14 in Des Moines County. | Pexels
Jury trials resumed Sept. 14 in Des Moines County. | Pexels
A return to business as usual means Des Moines County Courthouse proceedings are starting to resume, though not without changes.
Jury trials resumed for the first time since March on Sept. 14.
“All of the courtrooms (in Iowa's Eighth Judicial District) are able to have jury trials except for North Lee County," Mark Haggist, assistant court administrator for District 8, said according to The Hawk Eye. "Those cases are being tried in South Lee County."
Several changes have been made to ensure social distancing can be maintained as jury trials resume. In Des Moines County's third-floor courtroom, the largest in the courthouse, witnesses now testify from the jury box. The jury is spread out through the gallery, seated in positions that have been marked with blue Xs and only 30 people may be in the courtroom at the same time.
Jury selection also looks different. Instead of all potential jurors entering the courtroom at the same time, groups of 15 to 20 are called in, usually going two to three rounds before seating a jury.
All those in the courtroom are required to wear a mask or face shield. Courtrooms are also sanitized regularly.
There have also been adjustments to trial start dates so that trials can take place without dismissals caused by COVID-19 delays.
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