Wheeler Halts Plans to Use Multipurpose Center For Grand Jury Sessions After Judge’s Order

“The grand jury has been continued (suspended) by order of our Chief Judge, Sarah Wall, due to the increase in COVID cases in Wheeler County,” Clerk of Court Carol Bragg, reports. “Prior to that, we were going to use the multi-purpose room for their deliberations so that we could practice social distancing.” The use of the multipurpose room was officially approved on January 18; however, Judge Wall’s directive was delivered on January 19.

With the New Year, Georgia Chief Justice Harold Melton extended the judiciary emergency order, continuing the suspension of the traverse jury. However, “The Chief Justice left the grand jury question up to each individual circuit chief judge to make that call,” Bragg stated. This was the Justice Melton’s 10th emergency order, continuing to urge all courts “to use technology, when practicable and lawful, to conduct remote judicial proceedings as a safer alternative to in-person proceedings.”

The Wheeler County Court House has complied with public safety guidance for the sake of employees and the community at large. The courthouse offices are also prepared to fully function remotely if COVID-19 case numbers continue to spike.