Jury Trials Suspended until February 1, 2021
November 17, 2020
On November 10, 2020, Chief Justice Christensen issued an updated order titled “In the Matter of Ongoing Provisions for Coronavirus/COVID-19 Impact on Court Services (November 10, 2020).” The Order suspends jury trials that have not yet commenced until February 1, 2021. In rescheduling any jury trials previously set for November 16th, 2020 through January 31, 2021, the Clerks of Court are to use the case priorities in the supervisory order issued July 9, 2020 entitled “In the Matter of Prioritization of Cases and Duties.” Once scheduling resumes, criminal matters will be given priority, followed by cases that may be considered emergency matters. Cases that will not be given priority include dissolution of marriage not involving children, foreclosure actions, civil actions for the recovery of money damages, small claims, administrative appeals under chapter 17A, probate other than guardianships, and other law and equity cases. In other words, civil matters are not likely to receive priority when scheduling time comes. Shuttleworth & Ingersoll is closely monitoring the developments as Iowa courts continue to manage risk through the pandemic. For more information, you may access the Court’s latest Order HERE.