Friday, April 03, 2020

All jury trials and grand jury proceedings continued until July 6 (UPDATED WITH BARR MEMO)

The court issued another corona-order today, postponing all jury trials and grand jury proceedings until July 6.  The order is not up on the website yet, but I will link to it as soon as it is.

UPDATE Friday (4/3) evening — AG Bill Barr issued this memo, urging the release of at-risk prisoners to home confinement.  Serious question to the prosecutors who read the blog — why are so many prosecutors stridently opposing the requests?

4 comments:

  1. Because at risk doesn't mean every prisoner.... unlike the AFPD, prosecutors will be reviewing each one to see if it applies and balancing it with community safety. This ain't a get out a jail free card!

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  2. Anonymous11:45 AM

    Yes, the all wise and knowing prosecutor. What would do without them.

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  3. Anonymous1:19 PM

    I have seen recent rulings from District Judges such stating that the warden of FDC has imposed quarantine confirmations and has assured the court that strict protocols are in place to protect the prisoners and exposure to Covid-19.

    There are good reasons to release people and there are bad reasons to release people. A good reason would be if they are exposed and a low risk non-violent prisoner who would be better off at home. A bad reason would be a career offender convicted of a violent crime that is looking for a get out of jail card.

    Also, who is going to watch these people once they are released? Are they on supervised release or on some form of furlough? Will they be retaken or given the surrender dates to go back into custody? Will they comply or will defense attorneys complain that they’re already out and they should be left out? If nothing else hopefully this crisis will open eyes to new policies and administrative orders to address these very complex issues

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  4. Anonymous1:33 PM

    Where did you see the new order? I don't see anything posted to the court's website and didn't receive anything from the court.

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