Georgia State Updates

Grand Jury Proceeding May Resume

Grand jury proceedings may resume under an order signed Sept. 10, 2020, by Chief Justice Harold D. Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia. The order extends until Oct. 10 the Statewide Judicial Emergency Chief Justice Melton first declared on March 14, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the sixth time it has been extended for 30 days as state law allows.

Under the Sept. 10, 2020, order, the chief judge of each superior court is authorized to resume grand jury proceedings “if doing so can be done safely and in compliance with public health guidance based on local conditions.” In exercising his or her discretion to resume grand jury proceedings, the chief judge must consult with the local district attorney and follow guidelines developed by the Judicial COVID-19 Task Force for conducting safe grand jury proceedings. Jury trials and most grand jury proceedings have been prohibited in Georgia since March.

However, due to the time required to summon potential jurors for service, the order notes that grand jury hearings and jury trials likely will not begin until a month or longer after they are authorized.

Posted by – Barham Legal, LLC