Jury Trials to Slowly Return in Miami

As South Florida coronavirus numbers plummet and local governments ease restrictions, Miami-Dade’s criminal court is planning how to resume jury trials, slowly and safely, to ease what figures to be a significant backlog of cases.


Even so, virtual proceedings aren’t going anywhere anytime soon — and new flash points are emerging over how to maintain public safety while keeping the justice system limping along.


Defense lawyers are challenging Miami-Dade judges who are expanding the use of Zoom, including one who ordered a probation-violation hearing that could send a man to prison for life. And prosecutors are challenging a judge who suggested a homeless woman undergo a Zoom deposition — from the outdoor vacant lot where she stays.


For the entire summer, the system inched along, with only emergency hearings held in person, and Zoom being used for hearings. Among those hearings: ones regarding scheduling, to get defendants out of jails while awaiting trial, plea deals, and even hearings to determine if someone is immune from prosecution under Florida’s Stand Your Ground self-defense law.


Across Florida, jury trials have largely remained suspended, although Miami-Dade did conduct a pilot remote civil trial, one of five conducted around the state. A report on the success of the pilot programs from the courts is due in October.

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