The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) Pandemic Task Force issued a report on the resumption of jury trials, making recommendations on how to roll them out amidst the COVID-19 pandemic protocols. The task force, comprised of civil trial attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, county prosecutors and retired members of the Judiciary, previously released reports and analyses on jury selection and hybrid criminal jury trials and offers these recommendations in its continued efforts to "bolster public confidence" in the justice system, according to the report.

At the core of its recommendations is an initial statewide, voluntary pilot program for virtual civil jury trials. The report details issues involving empaneling a jury, ensuring the jury remains attentive and engaged in the trial, presentment of evidence, and secure and private deliberation of the trial issues.

"While lawyers and judges may participate in many jury trials in a given year, for most litigants their jury trial represents their one and final chance to resolve their dispute," said the task force in its report. "It is critical that their 'day in court' be conducted under the best circumstances we can provide, with all necessary safeguards in place to ensure the rights of all parties are adequately protected and all opportunities available to present the best case possible."