A. State
Per Order dated October 10, 2020, Chief Judges are now authorized to resume grand jury proceedings and jury trials if doing so can be done safely based on local conditions. Georgia Courts will continue to use and increase the use of technology to conduct remote judicial proceedings. Courts have resumed limited in-person proceedings that can be conducted safely.
Aside from these updates, Georgia Courts will continue to operate in a similarly restricted/virtual manner until at least November 9, 2020, after which date the current Order Declaring Statewide Judicial Emergency will expire without further extension.
B. Federal
In the Northern District of Georgia, there will be no jury trials through Jan. 3, but grand jury proceedings may continue. The Gainesville Division courthouse is closed until further notice. Other courthouses are open, with social distancing and face mask requirements. Those who have symptoms, have been asked to self-quarantine or have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus in the past two weeks are prohibited from entering courthouses.
In the Middle District of Georgia, no jury trials will be held until Jan. 3, 2021. Grand juries are not affected by the moratorium. Those who have tested positive for the coronavirus or may have been exposed to the virus are prohibited from entering any courthouse. The clerk's office is closed for in-person business, and face masks are required in public areas of courthouses.
In the Southern District of Georgia, only those with official court business will be admitted into the courthouse. Those who have symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive for the coronavirus or may have been exposed to the virus are prohibited from entering the building. Grand juries will continue to meet. Criminal matters before magistrate judges will continue to take place as usual.