As COVID-19 cases surge in Florida, a lawyers’ group is urging the state to return to virtual court hearings.The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers wants the courts to use Zoom teleconferencing for all proceedings that don’t require in-person appearances.
That includes pre-trial hearings for jail inmates.
The group cites concerns about infection rates in correctional facilities where vaccinations aren’t a requirement for employees.
Holding hearings by Zoom, they say, is a safer alternative to transporting hundreds of jail inmates to court and back every day.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.
