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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 11/23/2020 - Upper Kittitas County District Court, Cle Elum Municipal Court, Roslyn Municipal Court, Presiding Judge, Darrel R. Ellis, suspends jury trials until at least January 4, 2021.
On November 15, 2020, Governor Inslee announced a new set of restrictions for the State of Washington based on the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Governor Inslee established new restrictions for indoor social gathers, decreased capacity in restaurants and retailers, and other crowd-limiting measures. The rising number of COVID-19 cases in our state and local community causes concern to our court. Therefore, effective immediately, the Upper Kittitas County District Court, Cle Elum Municipal Court and Roslyn Municipal Court will suspend jury trials through January 4, 2021. While this has been a very difficult decision to make, it is the right decision based on the extraordinary circumstances that we currently face. Changes in behaviors are needed to combat the current spike in COVID-19 cases. The Courts are not exempt from the need to take steps to push the curve down and keep people safe. Temporarily suspending jury trials is the most responsible course of action for our court to take at this moment. The safety and well-being of our community demands it. The Court has made significant modifications to jury trial operations in order to keep jurors safe, however holding trials still requires the Court to gather large groups together indoors. At this time, it is simply not worth the risk.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Diana MacKenzieCourt Administrator509-674-5533diana.mackenzie@co.kittitas.wa.us