The next step to getting courts back up and operating with protections in place for the pandemic started last week with decisions made by local commissions, and a release from the Superior Court Clerk’s office.

The Cedartown City Commission and the Polk County Commission both voted early last week to approve a plan to allow the use of the Cedartown Performing Arts Center auditorium for jury selection.

The Cedartown Commission voted unanimously in a special called session on Monday, May 3 to allow for the county to use the space coming up in June and the Polk County Commission voted to approve allowing the use of different court spaces within the county to hold jury trials.

County Commissioners voted unanimously as well for the measure to allow for court to be held in other locations beside the courtrooms in both county courthouses.

Additionally, Superior Court Clerk Stacie Baines sent out a release reminding the public that for the first time since early 2020, jury summons are heading out to local residents as well in the above public service announcement.

Jurors will have to report to the Cedartown Performing Arts Center auditorium at 205 East Ave., Cedartown when they receive a jury summons in the mail instead of at the courthouses on Prior Street.

The votes and the move for jury selection to the CPAC come after a meeting of the full committee over the upcoming move back to court sessions in-person so jury trials can start back up. The April committee meeting ended without any announced decisions, but later orders were provided by Superior Court Chief Judge Meng Lim on securing sites within Polk and Haralson counties.

Holding jury selection in the CPAC was one of many suggestions made in order to allow for enough social distancing room to select juries and also to provide those who serve on a case the room to deliberate as well.

Check back for further updates as they become available on the start of court again in Polk County.



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