There is a growing backlog of jury trials across the Rio Grande Valley due to the pandemic. Attorney Ricardo Barrera was asked by CBS 4 for his views about virtual trials.
Channel 4 Valley Central News reports that:
One option Texas counties are using is Social Distancing Trials, where the jury meets virtually. Defense Attorney Rick Barrera says for him the jury is still out about the fairness to defendants.
“… part of the constitutional issue in a jury trial is being able to confront your accuser and being able to have an open forum to have your evidence heard” says Attorney Rick Barrera, Barrera Law Firm
Virtual juries, Barrera says, would give the judge less control over the trials.
“Jury trial is really most effective when the control of the jury trial is at the optimum, and the ability for the judge to monitor that jury trial and be the gate keeper is at its optimum, and over the screen can sometimes limit that.” said Barrera.
See the full report here.
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