Grand Jury Dates Set in Both Franklin and Hart Counties

With a backup of cases waiting to be adjudicated both Hart and Franklin counties have scheduled grand juries to take place before the end of the year.

In September, Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court Harold Melton, announced, in his sixth-order extending his Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency, that jury trials and grand juries, which have been prohibited since March 14, will be permitted to resume in October 2020.

According to the Franklin County Clerk of Court’s office, two weeks of grand juries are scheduled in November.

The first takes place November 2 – 6.  That will be immediately followed by another Grand Jury week from November 9 – 13.

According to the Clerk of Court’s office in Carnesville, there will be two different panels seated for each Grand Jury.

The exact location of the Grand Jury’s has not been determined but the Clerk of Court’s office said they are expected to take place at the old Carnesville Elementary school.

Trials are also expected to take place there after the first of the year.

In Hart County, Clerk of Court Frankie Gray said a Grand Jury will convene on December 14.

Gray earlier told WLHR News, both grand juries and trials will be conducted at the Hart County AgriScience Center to allow for extra space and social distancing.

As for jury trials, Judge Melton earlier issued a 12-page report outlining the protocol for attorneys and judges to follow in order to be compliant with CDC and DPH COVID-19 guidelines.