On Thursday, the Maryland Judiciary announced that all jury trials will be postponed to 2021.
Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera ordered that courts roll back from Phase 5 to Phase 3 of reopening beginning Monday. The short-lived Phase 5 began on Oct. 5; jury trials had resumed for the first time since March. Courts will remain in Phase 3 until at least Dec. 31, pending further guidance. Trials in which a jury has already been empaneled are allowed to continue.
Barbera cited a spike in COVID-19 cases as a main reason for her directives. On Friday, the state recorded over 1,800 new infections, setting a record high daily increase since the pandemic began.
While there are no jury trials under Phase 3, some cases will be heard remotely or in-person.
