Published on: Friday, October 30, 2020
Criminal trials in Chicago’s federal courthouse are once again being placed on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (article available here). The Chief District Judge on Thursday ordered a suspension of criminal jury trials at the Dirksen Federal Building effective immediately, while civil trials at the courthouse will be forced to halt as of Nov. 9.
“The court finds that the delay outweighs the interests of the parties and the public in a speedy trial,” the Court wrote in the order, “given the need to protect the health and safety of defendants, defense counsel, prosecutors, court staff, and the public by reducing the number of in-person hearings to the greatest extent possible.”