Lewis County Superior Court: Jury Trial Suspension Extended Until Nov. 1

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Lewis County Superior Court has extended its suspension of all jury trials until at least the week of Nov. 1.

Bench trials — trials where a judge hears a case and makes a decision without a jury — will continue to be held, as will all other types of court hearings.

Parties in both civil and criminal matters are encouraged to participate remotely if possible. More information on how to do so is available online at lewiscountywa.gov/offices/superior-court/video-appearance-links/.

Those who attend in person are required to strictly follow masking and social distancing requirements in the courtroom.



The Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis, where the county’s court operations are based, has additionally reinstated its mask mandate for the building, in accordance with the governor’s Aug. 23 order requiring face masks for everyone over five years of age in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.

The court initially issued the suspension on Aug. 20, citing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with guidance from local officials, the state Supreme Court and Gov. Jay Inslee’s restrictions regarding COVID-19 as reasons for limiting court operations through at least the week of Sept. 20. The suspension has since been extended twice. 

Lewis County Superior Court had resumed jury trials on March 1 following a year-long suspension due to COVID-19 restrictions, during which the court system amassed a backlog of hundreds of cases.