Jury Management Advisory Committee Report and Recommendations
On July 31, 2020, the Jury Management Advisory Committee (JMAC) of the Supreme Judicial Court submitted its Report and Recommendations to on the Resumption of Jury Trials in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Background
Jury trials in Massachusetts state courts had been postponed since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The justices of the SJC asked the Committee to provide guidance on how to recommence jury trials in Massachusetts courts, and the JMAC report responded to that mandate.
The Committee consulted with public health officials, bar associations, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and others in developing their report, which sought to balance the need to resume jury trials with the need to protect the health and safety of jurors, litigants, lawyers, court personnel and the public.
The Committee's comprehensive report included recommendations for a phased resumption of jury trials, and outlined recommended practices for each phase.
Response to Public Comments on the JMAC Report
On September 1, 2020, the JMAC submitted to the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court a Response to Public Comments on the Report of the Jury Management Advisory Committee on the Resumption of Jury Trials in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Background
Before acting on the report, the SJC invited public comments on the proposed recommendations. Comments were accepted by the court through August 14, 2020. Read the public comments submitted to the court.
Preliminary Report on Phase 1 of the Resumption of Jury Trials
On February 8, 2021 the JMAC submitted to the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court a Preliminary Report and Recommendations On Phase 1 of the Resumption of Jury Trials in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Background
Massachusetts courts began Phase 1 of the gradual resumption of jury trials during the week of January 11, 2021, conducting five jury trials. On January 25, 2021, in response to recommendations from court leaders and the JMAC, the SJC agreed to pause Phase 1 jury trials from January 26 through February 12, 2021.
The Justices needed to make a determination regarding the remainder of Phase 1 before February 12, after considering all relevant information available at that time, including conditions in the Commonwealth with respect to COVID-19. To assist the Justices in that determination, the Committee offered this preliminary evaluation of the resumption of jury trials thus far in Phase 1, and recommendations regarding further resumption of jury trials.
Final Report on Phase 1 of the Resumption of Jury Trials and Recommendations
On March 11, 2021 the JMAC submitted to the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court a Final Report on Phase 1 of the Resumption of Jury Trials in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Recommendations Regarding Remote Proceedings.
Report and Recommendations on Phase 2 of the Resumption of Jury Trials
On May 13, 2021 the JMAC submitted to the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court a Report and Recommendations on Phase 2 of the Resumption of Jury Trials in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Report and Recommendations on Phase 3 of the Resumption of Jury Trials
On August 31, 2021 the JMAC submitted to the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court a Report and Recommendations on Phase 3 of the Resumption of Jury Trials in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Jury Management Advisory Committee
The JMAC, a statutory committee made up of six judges, advises the SJC and the Jury Commissioner on issues relating to juries.