COVID-19 shuts down jury trials

A spike in COVID-19 cases in Escambia County (Ala.) prompted Presiding Circuit Judge Jeff White to cancel the January jury term that was scheduled to begin Monday, but he said he's optimistic that jury trials will resume in March.

Judge White issued his administrative order canceling this week's jury term last Friday after learning that the county had been designated as a high-risk area for the coronavirus. However, he did say the court system is not closed and cases can move forward.

"When I decided to go forward with the January jury term I talked with the Alabama Department of Public Health...