No criminal jury trials in Philadelphia until 2021, District Attorney Larry Krasner says 'right thing to do'
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PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- There will be no jury trials in Philadelphia until next year.
The First Judicial District decided Wednesday to suspend criminal jury trials until January 2021.
They had resumed back in September.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner released a statement saying this is the "right thing to do for public health at this time."
"However, we can do better. All criminal justice stakeholders need to look to best practices in other jurisdictions that are allowing the people's business to be handled in court as much as possible in these difficult times. Better practices exist and are possible in Philadelphia, with careful and thoughtful action. The District Attorney's Office calls on all our criminal justice partners to join us to make our courts work for everyone and to moderate our jail populations in light of the pandemic," Krasner said.
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