Read on Twitter
So, I’ve been chatting to some lovely Judges in Seattle on Twitter about jury trials. As you do. Look at what they are up to: jury trials in massive conference centres.
A thread. https://twitter.com/judgedavekeenan/status/1301173304103845889
A thread. https://twitter.com/judgedavekeenan/status/1301173304103845889
Not just one courtroom. Lots. https://twitter.com/judgedavekeenan/status/1301256449209675776
Everyone has their own area - all safely spaced out. It’s where the Judge took his bar exams. Which is a touchy topic in the UK at the moment but - you know the kind of place it is. Huge conference halls. We have tons of them: https://twitter.com/judgedavekeenan/status/1301256219768676352
We’ve given them some of our ideas too! Can easily add small desks to this model. https://twitter.com/judgedavekeenan/status/1301348562819661824
Their custody cases are back at the courthouse where benches have been taken out: https://twitter.com/judgedavekeenan/status/1301349313742692353
They’re live streaming it into a large conference room: https://twitter.com/rogoff1968/status/1301373898374569986
The witnesses are wearing a clear mask from @the_clearmask - my comment: I assume so their expressions and reactions can still be seen whilst staying safe.
They’re changing microphone covers between witnesses: https://twitter.com/rogoff1968/status/1301374600329060352
Audio is fine back at the conference centre: https://twitter.com/judgedavekeenan/status/1301255210837241856
Which begs the question - why haven’t we done this in our conference centres? We’ve had FIVE MONTHS.
We have huge convention centres in most major cities. We are giving trial dates in 2022. It needs drive and creativity and a bit of money - but it’s completely do able.
We have huge convention centres in most major cities. We are giving trial dates in 2022. It needs drive and creativity and a bit of money - but it’s completely do able.
It also shows - and clearly shows - that any effort to restrict jury trials is not “a last resort”. You don’t get to jump to the last resort before you’ve exhausted the options. And this is one. Remember that if you see proposals for legislation in the coming weeks or months.
Huge thanks to the Seattle Judges for answering our random tweets from a bunch of UK lawyers. You should all follow them! @JudgeDaveKeenan and @Rogoff1968 - best of luck with the trials in Seattle. If anyone else has a good international model then please let us know!
Also: super friendly, informative and helpful Judges on twitter? I approve.
