Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced today that he will extend for another month the Statewide Judicial Emergency, which is due to expire May 13. Under an order the Chief Justice plans to sign later this week, the emergency initially declared on March 14 will be extended for a second time until Friday, June 12, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
Under the new extension order, all criminal and civil jury trials will continue to be suspended, and courts will be barred from summoning and impaneling new trial and grand juries. These suspensions are necessary due to the social distancing and other safety measures recommended by the CDC, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and local county health departments to protect the health of the large groups of people who are generally assembled for jury proceedings.