COVID forces postponements of jury trials in Saskatchewan

Jury trials at Saskatchewan’s Court of Queen’s Bench that were scheduled to begin between now and the end of December have been postponed due to rising COVID-19 cases in the province.

In a media release Thursday, the court said jury members are drawn from large geographic areas, especially during the selection process. As well, trials require individuals to be in a courtroom every day that a trial runs.

Both factors were considered in the court’s decision to postpone.

“As an essential service, it’s important that the public continues to have access to the critical and necessary services the Court provides,” Martel D. Popescul, Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench, said in the release.

“However, the Court recognizes the public health risks posed by COVID-19 and is committed to taking the steps necessary to safeguard the health of everyone in our courtrooms and court facilities.”

Jury trials were postponed in the spring due to COVID-19, but resumed in September at locations such as the Conexus Arts Centre where physical distancing was easier to manage.

Four jury trials have been held since the court resumed sitting. Four more were set to occur in 2020.

“Those will now be spoken to on the date originally set for the trial to begin,” the release said. “Accused individuals can re-elect trial by judge alone (in which case the trial would proceed in the scheduled time frame), or have the matter adjourned to a date in the new year. These adjournments will receive rescheduling priority from the Court.”