DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa courts are delaying full in-person proceedings until next summer over COVID-19 concerns.
An order from the state Supreme Court this week allows for criminal cases to largely be conducted electronically, including arraignments, first appearances and sentencing.
The court is allowing the use of video, telephones and electronic signatures in many cases.
The order runs through the end of June.
It does not change the Supreme Court's order from earlier this month, November 10th, that postpones jury trials until February 1st.
The new order requires anyone entering a court building to wear a face mask, noting face shields are no longer an appropriate substitute for a mask.