COVID-19 Report for Prosecutors and Courts, December 2, 2020

Having trouble viewing the images? Click here to view this email in your browser.

December 2, 2020 - Bulletin No. 22

Prosecutors' offices and court systems across the nation are being impacted by COVID-19. Their daily work to maintain constitutional justice is being uprooted, altered, and halted. CNA and NDAA have partnered to actively develop and disseminate useful COVID-19 response resources to prosecutors and courts to support them during this trying time. This weekly bulletin shares helpful information and resources, as well as upcoming virtual networking events.

Registration Now Available!

Please join us for a virtual discussion, featuring Hillar Moore, the East Baton Rouge District Attorney, and representatives from his office on Thursday, December 10, 2020 from 2:00-3:00 PM EDT focusing on:

Steps the office took to ensure that victims of crime, specifically domestic violence, had access to victim services throughout the pandemic.
How their office was able to remain connected with victims of crime during the pandemic.

Learn More and Register

Useful Resources

Keeping Doors Open: Domestic Violence and COVID-19

This brief, authored by Jonathan Kurland and Holly Fuhrman of AEquitas, outlines strategies for attorneys to adapt domestic violence investigation and prosecution practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full report here.

This article was published by the Civic Research Institute in the June/July 2020 issue of the Domestic Violence Report.

Court News & Innovative Responses

Bend, Oregon

Deschutes County Circuit Court implemented an improved, online system for prospective jurors to respond to summonses and communicate with the court. Jurors can opt in to receive court status updates and service reminders via text message. For more information, click here.

Kern County, California

Kern County Superior Court paused a high-profile murder trial due to a juror testing positive for COVID-19. The trial is set to resume on December 10. For more information, click here.

McKinney, Texas

McKinney became the first city in Texas to conduct a virtual criminal jury trial in its municipal court by trying a Class C misdemeanor in November. For more information, click here.

From NDAA

We want to hear from you! If you would like to submit questions or have other concerns, please email us at covid19_courts@cna.org.

COVID-19-related news articles and resources, and past bulletins will be posted on the NDAA website. Continue to check the website for updated information.

NDAA | Website Blog

CNA | Website