Changes to Social Distancing Requirements and Jury Selection in Multnomah County Courts
On November 16, Presiding Judge Stephen Bushong issued Presiding Judge Order no. 2101-00000, requiring Multnomah County courts to continue to practice social distancing through January 2, 2022. Social distancing requirements will be lifted effective January 3, 2022.
On November 15, Chief Justice Martha Walters issued Chief Justice Order 21-050, which ends social distancing requirements in Oregon courts effective November 29, while also authorizing the presiding judge in any district to continue to require social distancing in that district through January 2, 2022 as a protective measure.
Beginning January 3, 2022, Multnomah County courts will resume in-person jury selection for criminal trials and for those civil trials that are scheduled to last four days or less. The court will continue to use remote jury selection for longer civil trials that are subject to SLR 7.055(14).
Masks will continue to be required in all Oregon courts. All judges and court staff are required to be vaccinated unless they’ve been granted an exemption, in which case they are to be tested twice a week for the coronavirus. People entering the courthouse are encouraged to be vaccinated, but will not be required to show proof of vaccination.
Read the full PJO here.
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