JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the first time in months, hundreds of people will show up at the Duval County Courthouse this week for jury duty. Normally, 300 to 400 potential jurors would be summoned to appear Monday and then be separated into groups for trials. Instead, Chief Judge Mark Mahon said, smaller groups of potential jurors have been summoned to appear during a period of three days. Mahon said it is important to restart criminal trials since, for months, inmates at the Duval County jail charged with serious crimes have not been able to have their day in court. Defendants being held at the Duval County jail will be quarantined before being allowed inside the courtroom.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady on Monday issued an order extending through July 17 a suspension of criminal and civil jury trials because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the Supreme Court also announced a pilot program in five judicial circuits aimed at using remote technology to conduct civil jury trials. Also on Monday, Canady extended the suspension of a statewide grand jury through July 26. That grand jury has investigated the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County. The Supreme Court last month issued an order designed to ensure the statewide grand jury will have enough time to finish its work after the coronavirus-caused suspension ends.