Julian Assange, Elizabeth Holmes, Robert Durst Among High Profile Court Cases Delayed By Coronavirus

TOPLINE

The coronavirus pandemic has either uprooted or impacted nearly every facet of life across the globe—and high profile court cases are no exception. Here are the big cases delayed because of COVID-19:

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

 “We’re going to have to completely rethink how much has to be done in person, how much can be done using technology⁠—that whole issue that we’ve just never paid much attention to, is going to be front and center going forward,” Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht told ABC News. “Our operations will never be the same.”

Chief critic

The American Civil Liberties Union has expressed concerns about protecting people’s rights during the pandemic. “As the government takes the necessary steps to ensure public health, it must also safeguard people’s due process, privacy, and equal protection rights,” said ACLU National Security Project director Hina Shamsi in a statement. 

Key background

State and federal courts across the country have been forced to change their normal operating procedures due to the coronavirus pandemic. At least three federal courthouses in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Delaware have been closed after workers were confirmed to have COVID-19. Other courts are attempting to shift to holding hearings by video conferencing, which can have technical glitches that make it difficult to follow along. Juries are also largely unable to be convened, further delaying trials for defendants. ABC News reported that some criminal justice advocates are optimistic that the pandemic will encourage technological developments in the courts, and increase transparency for the public.

Tangent

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a hotly-anticipated gun rights case, while ruling that health insurance companies can sue to collect Obamacare payments. 

Further reading

Julian Assange’s Extradition Trial Delayed by Coronavirus (Bloomberg)

Elizabeth Holmes’ criminal trial delayed due to coronavirus (CNBC)

Robert Durst’s Trial Delayed Until Late May Due to Pandemic (NBC Los Angeles)

Preliminary hearing for suspected Golden State Killer delayed by coronavirus (VC Star)

Coronavirus Pandemic Postpones Hearing In Capital Gazette Shooter Jarrod Ramos Case (CBS Baltimore)

The Supreme Court Will Hear Arguments by Phone. The Public Can Listen In. (The New York Times)

How coronavirus is crippling courts and raising concerns among civil liberties advocates (ABC News)

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