No jury trials in Pennsylvania, for now

HARRISBURG, PA — When courts in Pennsylvania reopen in June, there will be no jury trials, at least to start.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued an order this week announcing that all jury trials will remain suspended until they can be conducted safely.

READ THE STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION

Defendants who want their cases heard now could go to trial in front of a judge only. Those who want a jury trial will have to wait, which some people worry will cause an even larger backlog of cases in the court system.

Defense attorney Blaine Jones said he’s concerned his clients and others will struggle getting their due process under these rules.

“I have some concerns because I have clients who want to exercise their constitutional right to a jury. I hope defendants out there, my clients included, don’t rush to get things done and decide to go nonjury which can be against their interests," Jones said.

There are come cases in which a trial by judge is preferable. Typically, those cases are ones in which the law can be a challenge for juries to get through.

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and Pittsburgh Municipal courts back in session on Monday Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and Pittsburgh Municipal courts back in session on Monday

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