Press Release  Jury Trials To Resume February 14, 2022

BOSTON, MA — Following the pause ordered by the Supreme Judicial Court in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases, jury trials will resume in Massachusetts state courts on Monday, February 14.

"We are pleased that, as had been projected, the number of COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth has continued to decline to the point where we can resume jury trials this coming Monday,” said Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Locke. “Our courts will continue to follow appropriate protocols to protect the health and safety of jurors and all others who enter and work in our courthouses."

Jury trials again will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 6 of the order issued by the SJC on July 1, 2021, with certain cases that typically would be tried to twelve-person juries (e.g., Superior and Housing Court civil cases) tried to juries of six and with limitations on the number of peremptory challenges in certain cases. Priority will continue to be given to conducting jury trials in cases where a party is in custody. The general tolling of speedy trial deadlines ordered by the SJC in connection with the pause will expire in criminal cases upon the commencement of trial or March 14, 2022, whichever occurs first.

Mask requirements will continue in courthouses throughout the state. As throughout the pandemic, all plans and expectations regarding court access and operations may be adjusted at any time if the COVID-19 situation in the Commonwealth changes significantly.

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