Circuit courts in Door and Kewaunee counties are navigating new channels during the pandemic to ensure defendants' trials are held within 60 to 90 days. The Wisconsin State Supreme Court, however, issued an order in April suspending all jury trials until towards the end of May. Teleconferencing is now being used to handle hearings outside of courtrooms. Door County District Attorney Colleen Nordin says that approach has worked well. Though she says county courts will likely have to decide whether they're able to hold trials while also facing complications in seating juries once trials are permitted.
Once all health and safety questions are answered, Nordin expects the Door County Circuit Court workload to be heavy through the end of this year.