Beasley
LAURINBURG — Scotland County court officials have announced that jury trials will soon resume.
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley had suspended jury trials since March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In July, the Chief Justice directed senior resident superior court judges to craft and submit local plans for the safe resumption of jury trials as part of the Judicial Branch’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep the public and court employees safe. This link (https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/anson-county/anson-county-local-rules-and-forms) can refer you to the Jury Trial Resumption Plan for Anson County. That plan was approved by Chief Justice Beasley and the North Carolina Administration.
The first jury trials in Scotland County are expected to be held Jan. 11, 2021. Summonses for potential grand jurors will be sent by the clerk of Superior Court of Scotland County. Those individuals summonsed for potential grand jury service shall appear and report at the Scotland County Courthouse in Laurinburg.
“We want the public to know that we have implemented a number of safety precautions in consultation with local public health officials to make sure that anyone who needs to access our courthouse and those who are called upon to serve on a jury can do so safely,” said Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Stephan Futrell. “We are grateful for the partnership with our county officials who continue to work alongside us to make sure our courts remain open, accessible, and safe.”
Since March, Chief Justice Beasley has issued a number of emergency directives to guide court operations through the pandemic. Those directives have, among other things, allowed many court hearings to be held by teleconference, waived certain notary requirements for court documents, and required social distancing and face coverings in court facilities.
In July, Beasley directed senior resident superior court judges to begin crafting plans for the safe resumption of jury trials. The plans were to be crafted in collaboration with the chief district court judge, district attorney, clerk of Superior Court, public defender [or defense bar], sheriff, and public health director. Each plan was required to include several basic components, such as daily screening for trial participants, conducting jury selection, trial, and deliberations with social distancing, and plans for providing face coverings.
“I extend my deepest thanks to our elected officials all across North Carolina who have worked so hard to carefully craft these plans and tailor them to the needs of their local community,” said Beasley. “I want to reassure the public and all potential jurors that their safety continues to be our top priority.”