{"id":6741,"date":"2020-03-13T19:58:53","date_gmt":"2020-03-13T23:58:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=6741"},"modified":"2020-03-13T19:59:06","modified_gmt":"2020-03-13T23:59:06","slug":"no-jurors-3-16-3-23-jury-trials-canceled-for-two-weeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2020\/03\/13\/no-jurors-3-16-3-23-jury-trials-canceled-for-two-weeks\/","title":{"rendered":"No Jurors 3\/16 & 3\/23, Jury Trials Canceled for Two Weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today the Florida Supreme Court issued Administrative Order No. AOSC20-13 that suspends all grand jury proceedings, jury selection proceedings, and criminal and civil jury trials for two weeks starting March 16 and ending March 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are NO new criminal or civil jury trials in Polk County during this time period. Jurors summoned to report on March 16 and March 23 SHOULD NOT<\/strong> report for duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clerk\u2019s office will continue to mail out summons to avoid delay to future court processes once the suspension of all jury trials is lifted. Jurors summoned to report for future dates beyond March 23 should still proceed as directed. If additional cancelations occur, updates will be shared on www.polkcountyclerk.net<\/a>, the Juror Hotline 863-534-4582, the Polk County Clerk Facebook page, and through notifications to the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis asked that all mass gatherings in Florida be canceled due to the effects of the coronavirus in the United States,\u201d said Clerk Stacy Butterfield, Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. \u201cIn Polk County in 2019, approximately 14,000 individuals served on a jury. Each week, there are roughly 250 to 400+ jurors called to report for service. I believe we all have the responsibility to help lower the impact of this virus and to take preventative action to impede the spread of illness and disease. With so many people gathering in one place, this was a prudent decision by the courts to help protect residents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents over 70 may opt-out of jury service if they receive a summons. These opt-out requests as well as all request for excusals and postponements by individuals of any age can be made via the Clerk\u2019s website or by calling the Jury Department at 863-5345-4569 or 863-534-4568.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jurors should continue to check the jury phone line or website for updates about their service at\u00a0www.polkcountyclerk.net<\/a>\u00a0and 863-534-4582. Updates will also be posted to the Clerk\u2019s Facebook page,\u00a0www.facebook.com\/polkcountyclerk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While jury trials are canceled for two weeks and jurors should not report,\u00a0the courthouse is OPEN and all Clerk departments and services are available during normal business hours.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all other Clerk-related issues, many services are available remotely online or by phone. Remote services available at polkcountyclerk.net or\u00a0863-534-4000\u00a0include:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n