In Washoe County, in-person jury trials have been on hold due to the pandemic, until Monday. The county has set up one of it's courtrooms for in-person trials.

"As far as a backlog we had about 6 or 7 cases initially where a defendant had invoked his right to a speedy trial," said Second Judicial District Court Judge Elliott Sattler. On Monday, Washoe County re-opened the first of it's courtrooms to in-person trials for the first time in months. COVID restrictions limited trials to teleconferencing with a judge. New precautions in the courtroom, have open up opportunities for both civil and criminal in-person trials.

"We're focusing on initially where the defendant has invoked his or her right to a trial in 60 days, that speedy trial right. Then, we are going to be moving to the other trials where the defendant is in custody," said Judge Sattler.

Jurors will have to have their temperature taken and wear masks. They're also separated from each other and witnesses by plexiglass partitions. Some attorneys say they will have to prepare for cases differently because of this. "With the presence in the courtroom of these artificial barriers, we have to talk to our clients how to connect with the jury. We have to talk to our clients on how to answer questions and how to deal with the added barriers," said attorney Kathleen Sigurdson.

There's more plexiglass is in place for the judge, witness stand, and attorneys. Lawyers are isolated to their desks, except for opening and closing statements which can be made at an enclosed podium. Each attorney decides if they want to wear a mask or not while speaking. The in-person aspect provides them an advantage questioning witness and picking jury members.

"Some trials were done by Zoom. So we didn't have them face to face. We couldn't read their body language as well. Now that we are back in the courtroom, we can see them. You get a better read on each other. You get a better rapport," said Sigurdson.

Judges will rotate through the in-person courtroom. Judge Sattler and Sigurdson, both said they're worried about a potential lack of jurors due to the threat of COVID. They're asking the public to volunteer to serve as jurors if they can.