On February 8, 2021, the Georgia Supreme Court issued its "Eleventh Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency." As has been the case for almost a year, the Supreme Court suspended jury trials; however, there is a glimmer of light on the horizon, especially for plaintiffs who have been waiting for their day in court. The Court stated in its Order "the surge in COVID-19 cases that led to the suspension of jury trials appears now to be declining. Assuming that conditions generally continue to improve, it is anticipated that the next extension order on March 9 will authorize superior and state courts, in their discretion, to resume jury trials as local conditions allow."
Recall, however, that a full year of jury trials have been postponed. Moreover, criminal cases will take precedent over civil matters. That being said, there is some chance that we're edging closer to "normal courthouse operations". Of course, "normal courthouse operations" have always been slow, even before the pandemic.
