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During the COVID-19 pandemic, jurors must be given reasonable assurance of their safety before participating in the jury process. As such, the EJDC has worked closely with several entities, including Clark County, University Medical Center (UMC), the State of Nevada’s Division of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), to develop and implement a comprehensive plan that will allow the court to resume its in-person jury operation. This plan is designed to instruct judges and court staff on how to conduct an in-person jury trial in a manner that minimizes risks to all participants by taking every reasonable precaution that has been recommended by our community health care partners.
Jury Trial Plan
The Jury Commissioner will include a notice on the jury summons advising all prospective jurors of the COVID-19 safety protocols contained in the plan. Prospective jurors who are experiencing symptoms, feeling sick, or have been exposed to COVID-19 will be advised to not report for jury duty. Prospective jurors who are considered high risk, such as persons 65 years of age or older or persons with underlying medical conditions which place the person at risk will be eligible for a deferral.
All jurors, witnesses, and trial participants not fully vaccinated entering the courthouse will be required to wear a face covering at all times while in the building except when eating or drinking during breaks. Personal cloth face coverings and surgical masks will be allowed. If an individual does not have a face covering upon entry the marshals will provide one at no cost. Face coverings must fully cover the nose and the mouth and may not have vents. Additionally, while face shields are permissible, they must be worn in conjunction with a face covering. Face coverings remain required at all times regardless of vaccination status in courtrooms, jury assembly and other designated face covering required areas. Those who are fully vaccinated are still encouraged to wear face coverings while in other areas of court facilities.
In addition to the biographical and qualification questionnaires that are already being administered to prospective jurors, a new standard supplemental questionnaire will be added. The supplemental questionnaire will seek information to help shorten the jury selection process by allowing the court and counsel to pre-screen prospective jurors for issues related to undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, and overall fitness to serve. The supplemental questionnaire will include COVID-19 questions that will allow prospective jurors to reflect on whether they believe they can safely serve as a juror. The jury summons will include a due date and instructions for the prospective juror to complete the questionnaires online.
Jury Selection/Voir dire will be conducted in the courtroom effective June 14, 2021. It is recommended that jury seating allow the maximum amount of space between jurors.
HVAC Augmentation Consistent with the recommendations from our health care partners will be used. The court will work with Clark County Real Property Management to enhance the air quality and air disinfection within the courthouse. This will include, increasing airflow/air exchanges, introducing 30% humidity (if necessary), upgrading air filters to no less than MERV 13 rating, and installing a Synexis Dry Hydrogen System1 in the jury room and courtrooms when available. F. Environmental Cleaning Consistent with the recommendations from our health care partners (Exhibit 3), the court will work with Clark County Real Property Management to enhance the environmental sanitation in the Regional Justice Center. This will include, the use of disinfectant cleaner with lower dwell times (1 minute), increasing porter services throughout the day to continuously disinfect high 1 The Synexis DHP technology continuously uses dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) to reduce levels of harmful bacteria and viruses, along with fungi, and mold in occupied spaces. 3 touch surfaces i.e. (elevator buttons, escalator handrails, restroom spaces, etc.), and providing individual antibacterial cleaning wipes for all trial participants to wipe high touch areas during breaks to increase frequency and surface cleaning.
Infection Control Consistent with the recommendations from our health care partners, the court will work with Clark County Real Property Management to enhance Regional Justice Center’s infection controls.
For more information on the District Court’s COVID-19 response, including our COVID-19 Trial Plan, please visit our website at http://www.clarkcountycourts.us. Visit ejuror.clarkcountycourts.us; Email ejuror@clarkcountycourts.us; or call 702-455-4472 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and press 0. If you are scheduled to report for jury duty call 702-455-4472 after 6 p.m. to verify that you are needed and the time to report.
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