Faced with a surge of COVID-19 infections across the state, the Minnesota Judicial Council voted unanimously Thursday to put a moratorium on criminal jury trials for two months and conduct all hearings remotely.
Chief judges in each judicial district can grant exceptions based on criteria to be mapped out in coming days.
The moratorium will begin Nov. 30. The state judicial council is composed of judges, including chief judges from across the state, and is chaired by Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea, who cited the dramatic recent rise in positive COVID-19 test results.
"Our constitutional obligation is to provide access to justice," she said, adding that the courts also have a duty to protect judges, staff and the public.
"We should hit the pause button and scale back for 60 days," she said, but added, "I am not excited about making these recommendations."
While no mention was made of resuming civil trials, which were previously put on hold until Dec. 1, it appeared likely that those trials will also be suspended until Feb. 1.
Under the plan, all in-person hearings will switch to a remote process, unless a chief judge in a court district approves an exception. State courts are currently using a video or phone system for many hearings. State trials already in progress would be allowed to continue.
The decision came as the state court system has been under pressure to halt its in-person operations.