Weekly COVID-19 Report for Prosecutors and Courts, June 24, 2020

June 24, 2020 - Bulletin No. 11

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.

Upcoming Webinar

CNA and NDAA will be conducting a series of webinars on domestic violence in the COVID-19 era.

Please join us for a webinar, in partnership with AEquitas, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 from 2:00-3:30 PM EDT on:

Limitations of a traditional fact-gathering approach
Alternative techniques to minimize re-traumatization
Enhancing the ability to re-create the reality of the crime at trial
Strategies for integrating a trauma-informed response throughout an entire case

Learn More and Register

Useful Resources

Health Safety Working Group: Initial Session Results

As states re-open following closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prosecutors from across the nation are presented with new challenges for maintaining health safety in their work environments, particularly in the courtroom. Recently, prosecutors from across the country volunteered to participate in a working group with CNA and NDAA to discuss challenges related to maintaining the health safety of prosecutors, court staff, and court visitors and to help provide information and guidance to the field. We have compiled the results of this working group's two sessions into an interactive document.

Access the full document here .

Note: Our next heath safety working group session will focus on the mental health and wellness of prosecutors during this difficult time. If you have concerns you would like us to consider or are interested in participating, please contact covid19_courts@cna.org .

Podcast: Justice Talks

This podcast features Brad Berry, Yamhill County District Attorney, as he discusses his office’s first jury trial and how his office is making use of a grand jury during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to the full podcast here .

Innovative Responses

New York

New York is introducing a state task force whose purpose will be to examine the expanded use of technologies that have allowed courts to continue functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic . For m ore information, click here .

Nevada County, California

On June 22, Nevada County began conducting their first post-pandemic criminal jury trial. For more information, click here .

Harris County, Texas

Harris County has begun sending out jury summons and plan to use the NRG Arena for jury selection. For mor e information, click here .

From NDAA

Asked and Answered

With the increased use in technology, is there new information about the criminal exploitation of virtual platforms and how prosecutors can act?

Technology-facilitated abuse comprises actions of abuse, harassment and unlawful acts performed through social media, websites, and other applications. RTI International and the RAND Corporation conducted a workshop with experts who addressed this topic. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the group.

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 .

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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