Judges Weigh Bigger Rooms, Cleaner Mics as Jury Trials Restart

Federal courts in some parts of the country have prepared for a cautious reboot of jury trials in civil lawsuits—equipped with disinfectant, measuring tapes, and extra jurors.

New courtroom dynamics could alter non-verbal cues, skew jury demographics, and limit communication between attorneys. Even so, some district court judges have signaled an openness to holding in-person civil jury trials in June or July, following an extended break because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Others are eyeing a return in late summer or early fall.

Judges face difficult decisions as they weigh how, and when, to reopen their courtrooms for jury trials—and try ...