Trials resume in county

ODESSA — The Record has received word that Lincoln County Superior Court will resume jury trials beginning July 22.

The trial that had been set for July 8 was resolved; so, the first trial under the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state Supreme Court guidelines will be July 22.

Precautions are in place to protect the health of the public, jurors and court participants when they report for jury duty.

For each jury trial, every person entering the courtroom will have their temperature taken by court personnel. If the temperature is above 100.4 after 10 minutes and retesting, the individual will not be allowed to enter the courtroom.

All persons attending the trial will be required to wear a facial mask or facial shield if approved by Judge John Strohmaier. Approved seating is marked on the benches in the courtroom.

A clear plastic barrier has been installed between the Court Administrator and the counsel tables. Social distancing is required as directed by the state Department of Health.

Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms is asked to stay home and contact the Court Administrator at 509-725-3081 or the Clerk’s Office at 509-725-1401.

Two locations in the courthouse will be utilized (the courtroom and a large conference room) to allow social distancing while calling in a pool large enough to seat a jury.

The entire jury pool will be able to view the proceedings via video conference between the main courtroom and the conference room, and potential jurors will be able to answer any questions the court and attorneys may have for them. Once the jury has been selected, the entire trial will continue in the Superior Court courtroom.