Grand Juries Become Focal Point as NY Court System Battles Virus Surge
"At a time when the state is limiting gatherings statewide to no more than 10 people, it is simply reckless to still require 23 complete strangers to sit together for hours hearing cases," Albany County DA David Soares wrote in a letter to the administrative judge for the state's Third Judicial District.
December 16, 2020 at 12:21 PM
5 minute read
Albany County District Attorney David Soares. (Photo: Tim Roske/ALM)
Grand jury gatherings are being called "simply reckless" by one New York district attorney. A grand jury elsewhere is sidelined for two weeks over a coronavirus infection. And a statewide prosecutors' association is warning that some grand juries, due to a lack of willing participants, are not able to meet quorum.
Surging coronavirus cases are again upending parts of New York's criminal justice system and operational difficulties with grand juries are now a focus point as officials navigate a worsening coronavirus landscape.
Court officials have shut down new jury trials and cut down on in-person staffing, but grand juries have still been allowed to move forward.
Meanwhile, many have seen the state's court system as sending mixed messages on grand juries. Chief Judge Janet DiFiore weeks ago implied grand jury operations were not going forward. Those comments came the same day a state court spokesman said the system was aiming to continue grand jury proceedings.
As the state's Capital Region faces its most severe surge of the pandemic, Albany County District Attorney David Soares is urging New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to shut down grand jury assemblies.
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