Coronavirus In Minnesota: All Criminal, Civil Trials Suspended In State's 4 US District Courts
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- All criminal and civil trials in Minnesota's United States District Courts have been suspended due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Chief Judge John R. Tunheim ordered Friday that criminal and civil trials be suspended until after April 27, effective immediately. Grand juries will also be suspended until after April 27, but this order will not go into effect until March 23.
READ MORE: Number Of Positive COVID-19 Cases In Minnesota Climbs To 14
The decision was made after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday, followed by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's declaration of a peacetime emergency in the effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Attorney admission ceremonies are also suspended though April 27, but naturalization ceremonies will continue, albeit with social distancing measures implemented.
All of the four Minnesota U.S. District Court buildings -- Minnesota, St. Paul, Duluth and Fergus Falls -- will remain open for all other business.
Minnesota State Courts will remain open with certain precautions, allowing the continuation of all cases labeled as "high" or "super high" priority. Cases labeled "medium" or "low" priority are suspended for 14 days. All jury trials in progress will continue, but new jury trials will not be scheduled for 30 days.
READ MORE: In-Person Visits Suspended At All Minnesota Correctional Facilities
