In Re Response to Covid-19 Pandemic (Jan. 5, 2021)

2021 Ark. 1

• Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas
• Decided: January 5, 2021
• Status: Published

Opinion

Digitally signed by Susan P. Williams Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Cite as 2021 Ark. 1 Date: 2021-01-05 17: SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS 05:20 IN RE RESPONSE TO THE COVID- Opinion Delivered: January 5, 2021 19 PANDEMIC

PER CURIAM

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court of Arkansas

delivered previous per curiam orders implementing emergency precautions to help protect

the public from unnecessary risks. On March 11, 2020, Governor Hutchinson declared a

“State of Emergency” for Arkansas related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which remains in

effect. The courts of the State of Arkansas have remained open and shall continue to remain

open. Today’s actions are to protect the safety of jurors, litigants, attorneys, court personnel

and the public.

Public health officials in Arkansas have identified an increase of COVID-19 positive

tests and hospitalizations. The continuing increase requires that we extend the suspension

of jury trials that we previously announced on November 20, 2020. See In re Response to the

COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020 Ark. 384 (per curiam). Therefore, we hereby suspend through

February 28, 2021, jury trials that have not begun. Jury trials that are currently ongoing shall

be completed.

Please refer to the November 20, 2020 per curiam; aside from the end date of the

jury-trial suspension, that Order remains in effect. This Order is to be interpreted broadly for protection of the public from the risks

associated with COVID-19. This Order applies statewide to all courts and court clerks’

offices except administrative courts of the executive branch, federal courts, and federal court

clerks’ offices.

It is so ORDERED.