POUGHKEEPSIE – Common Council Chairperson Sarah Salem’s DWI case in Poughkeepsie City Court has been adjourned again, due to COVID-19 restrictions on the court system. On Wednesday, the case was adjourned until June 2 because jury trials are still on hold in the lower courts. Salem is demanding a jury trial for her DWI arrest that occurred on February 26, 2020.
This past Wednesday, State Chief Judge Janet DiFiore announced that all courts in New York will return to full staffing levels on May 24. DiFiore’s statement said that the return to normal staffing levels will allow the courts to increase the number of proceedings physically taking place in the courtrooms, including jury trials.
This past week there were 55 in-person jury trials scheduled for higher courts throughout the state.
“We are drafting a responsible plan that will limit the number of people physically present in our courthouses to safe and responsible levels, and we will do so by relying on the permanent integration of remote technology and virtual appearances to hear those matters requiring the physical presence of lawyers and litigants in our buildings,” said Judge DiFiore.
No determination has been made regarding the return of jury trials in Poughkeepsie City Court.
