July 8, 2020 - Bulletin No. 12
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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.
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Virtual Grand Jury Q&A: Shelby County, Tennessee
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Many jurisdictions are still struggling as they decide how to conduct various court proceedings. One of the most important and highly contemplated of these are grand jury proceedings. We sat down with Perry S. Hayes, Administrative Assistant District Attorney General in Shelby County, Tennessee to learn how their jurisdiction is conducting a grand jury with virtual witnesses.
Access the document
here
.
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Speedy Trial and Case Backlog Working Group: Initial Session Results
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Recently, prosecutors from across the country volunteered to participate in a working group with CNA and NDAA to discuss challenges related to speedy trial obligations and case backlogs.
We have compiled the results of this working group's two sessions into an interactive document. Topics covered include:
- Court Re-openings
- Speedy Trial Obligations
- Plea Bargains
- Victims of Crime
- Use of Public Spaces for Court
- Lack of Jurors, Judges, and Courtrooms
- Masks in Court
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Access the document
here
.
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Nuances of Domestic Violence: Q&A
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On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, we hosted a webinar on the Nuances of Domestic Violence. During this event, we received a number of questions that we have compiled, along with other related resources, in this document. To view the full webinar, click
here.
Access the document
here.
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Pandemic Lessons, Police Accountability and the Shifting Role of the Prosecutor
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On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, we hosted a virtual discussion featuring Kim Foxx, Cook County State's Attorney and Kim Ogg, Harris County District Attorney. The panelists discussed their offices’ experiences throughout the pandemic and the prosecutor’s role in police accountability, along with lessons learned and adaptations that have been made in the past two months.
Access the webinar recording
here
.
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Court News & Innovative Responses
Nashville, Tennessee
Davidson County’s General Sessions Recovery Court program was able to continue virtually through the pandemic and graduated two classes in June. For m
ore information, click
here
.
New Jersey
New Jersey's trial courts are deciding how to address large volumes of cases as they face a 153% increase in backlogged cases statewide since May 2019. For more information, click
here
.
Colorado
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Colorado Supreme Court has developed criteria by which prosecutors may request up to a six-month trial delay.
For mor
e information, click
here
.
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Asked and Answered
What is being done about case backlogs?
J
urisdictions have approached this issue in various ways.
Segdwick County, Kansas
has set up stations outside of their courthouse for individuals to
schedule new court dates, apply for diversion, or ask for assistance with their case. Other jurisdictions such as
Bay County, Florida
plan to extend hours to address the case backlogs. In
San Diego, California
, a pro bono program has been created allowing
retired judges or qualified local attorneys to hear civil matters free of charge.
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We want to hear from you! If you would like to submit questions or have other concerns, please email us at
covid19_courts@cna.org
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COVID-19-related news articles and resources, and past bulletins will be posted on the
NDAA website
. Continue to check the website for updated information.
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