Jury trials in Grant County Superior Court are suspended through Jan. 11 due to the recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in the county.

However, all scheduled civil and criminal docket proceedings, as well as non-jury trials still are underway, according to a release from the court.

Additionally, litigants and attorneys are required to appear via video or telephone for hearings, unless exceptions were granted. Defendants should contact their attorneys to determine hearing information. Instructions also are available at www.grant countywa.gov.

COVID-19 rates countywide were more than 900 per 100,000 people from Nov. 11 to 25, the Grant County Health District reported. The goal was fewer than 25 per 100,000.

“The Grant County Superior Court will continue to monitor information from the Grant County Health District between now and the current jury trial resumption date,” the release stated.

Grant County Superior Court Judge David Estudillo said people’s well-being was of “utmost concern.”

“We deeply appreciate their service and the trust they have in our court,” he said in a statement. “Though the Superior Court has implemented procedures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19 during jury trials, there remains significant concern about the potential risks associated with gathering persons for jury selection and trial in light of the trending COVID-19 positivity rates in Grant County. Suspending jury trials is the right thing to do.”