DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa courts and attorneys are dealing with a backlog of cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state Supreme Court established a task force - the Jumpstart Jury Task Force - to come up with policies and procedures to resume jury trials stalled by COVID-19 postponements.
Jury trials were completely shut down in March because of the pandemic, and there's a common interest in the legal community to get the wheels of justice moving again.
"You've got issues of people who nay be in custody in criminal cases," Defense attorney Peter Riley told KCRG-TV. "They're entitled to their day in court, particularly if they've not waived their right to a speedy trial."
Riley says his cases will have to wait until courts get back up to speed.
The state Supreme Court established a task force to come up with policies and procedures to resume jury trials stalled by COVID-19 postponements.
Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady told KCRG the system will likely change so more court functions can be done remotely. He thinks courts start up slowly at first.
"My guess is we'll start doing maybe one at a time to see how to structure social distanceing and masks," said Grady. “Those questions are still being looked at."
Non-jury criminal and civil trials are set to start-up in mid-June, with jury trials set for the following month.