Weekly COVID-19 Report for Prosecutors and Courts, April 21, 2020

April 21, 2020 - Bulletin No. 3

Prosecutors' offices and court systems across the nation are being impacted by COVID-19. Their daily work to maintain constitutional justice is being uprooted, altered, and halted. CNA and NDAA have partnered to actively develop and disseminate useful COVID-19 response resources to prosecutors and courts to support them during this trying time. This weekly bulletin shares helpful information and resources, as well as upcoming virtual networking events.

Useful Resources

Panel Discussion: Technology for Remote Court Proceedings

Many courts have moved to remote hearings and proceedings to comply with executive orders and social distancing guidelines. On Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 1:00pm EDT, CNA and NDAA will host a virtual panel discussion relaying multiple prosecutors' experiences with varying technology platforms.

Health Safety for Prosecutors and Court Staff: Q&A

On Monday, April 13, 2020, CNA and NDAA brought you a webinar focused on COVID-19 health safety for prosecutors and court staff. During this webinar, we received a number of questions that we did not have time to answer. We have compiled those questions in this document. Click here for additional examples of protective measures taken by courts and prosecutors and here to view the full webinar.

Access the document here.

Prosecuting COVID-19-Related Crimes

On Tuesday, April 14, 2020, NDAA hosted a webinar on bad actors continuing to find ways to exploit individuals, including vulnerable populations, despite the global pandemic. The webinar featured Bill Hughes, of the U.S. Department of Justice and Damon Mosler of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

View the webina r here.

Innovative Responses

Nationwide

The U.S. Supreme Court will hold May oral arguments via teleconference and provide live audio broadcasts of the proceedings for the first time in history . For more information, click here .

Cleveland, Ohio

The Medina County Domestic Relations Court received an Ohio Supreme Court grant to install the necessary equipment to hold proceedings by video conference. For more information, click here .

Nevada

Nevada has formed a COVID-19 task force comprised of investigators and prosecutors to address various forms of fraud and cybercrimes related to the virus. For more information, click here.

From NDAA

Asked and Answered

What are various jurisdictions/localities doing to respond to requests surrounding the release of certain inmates ?

There have been a multitude of responses and stances taken in response to this issue. Maryland's highest court has ordered judges to attempt to reduce the number of young people held in juvenile detention facilities . Prosecutors in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania are complying with the governors' orders to release certain inmates. However, in Harris County, Texas and Alameda County, California legal battles have ensued regarding the release of inmates.

Help Us Help You

Over the last two weeks, readers have responded to polls requesting information on what issues are most strongly impacting their offices -- the results are below. Please take a moment to take this week's survey so we can be sure we continue addressing topics that are important to you.