On March 9, 2021, the Supreme Court of Georgia issued its Twelfth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency. As part of this Order, the Court lifted the ban on jury trials in Georgia. Therefore, trial courts in their discretion may now resume jury trials as local conditions allow. Of course, there is an enormous backlog of cases that need to be tried, and it is unclear how enthusiastic community members will be to serve on juries in the coming months; however, this is a step in the right direction. I am sure that criminal matters will take precedent, but we may see some movement on the civil side as well.
Stay safe out there!
