Life continues returning to something approaching normal, including courtroom operations.
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert signed two administrative orders to that effect Tuesday.
One lifts the 10-person limit for courtrooms and the 12-person limit for panels seated for the jury selection process — so long as 6-foot social distancing guidelines can be met. This administrative order also lets courts have in-person hearings if social distancing can be attained, although the Supreme Court is still emphasizing video or audio conferencing as much as possible. Jury trials can proceed when necessary to protect constitutional speedy trial rights.
The second order extends a prior order allowing courts to hold the aforementioned audio and video hearings. It also says Luckert’s order is no longer connected to Governor Kelly’s state of disaster emergency operations as it had been since late March.
