GEORGETOWN, Del.- The Sussex County Courthouse is ready to serve justice, socially distanced.
Sussex County's courthouse is the oldest and smallest of those in the Delaware Courts system. Court officials say that posed challenges to reopen the Georgetown facility during the pandemic, but they are confident the new measures will allow jury trials to resume safely.
"We looked at everything from the beginning to the end and said 'How can we do this better?' explains Sean O'Sullivan. "How can we do this safely?"
Social distancing markers are found throughout the building, as are hand sanitizers. There are mandatory masks, frequent cleanings--twice a day deep cleanings for the courtrooms--and capacity limits in rooms. A thermal imaging camera takes the temperature of each person who walks through the courthouse doors.
Chief Justice Collins Seitz says the new measures put in place allow the courts to resume jury trials. Bench trials have been an option since June.
"It is one of our justice system's most important responsibilities: to summon juries to decide criminal and civil matters involving Delaware citizens and people around the world," he says.
Jurors have an expanded questionnaire before they walk in the courthouse doors, and a new FAQ video. The entire jury process will take place in Courtroom One, in the hopes of reducing movement throughout the building. Jurors are socially distanced and plexiglass will also be put in the courtroom.
The first trials will be with non-custodial defendants. O'Sullivan says the courts are also taking pains to ensure a diverse jury pool is summoned.
Those with the courts say they are working with national and state health experts, as well as hiring their own infectious disease expert, to ensure that the courts and those who do their civic duty and serve on juries are as safe as possible.
