Judge Andrews is holding a virtual bench trial in a contract action today. The Court posted a dial-in for public access:
Remark: The public may access the Bench Trial scheduled to start 7/6/2020 by dialing the following phone number: 571-353-2300, then enter 792973273. The dial-in information provides listening capabilities only. (crb) (Entered: 07/06/2020)
Judge Andrews set forth his reasoning for holding a virtual trial in an order in June:
I had a teleconference with the parties on June 5. I suggested a virtual trial. I did not think it was fair for one side to have lawyers in the courtroom while the other side did not. A virtual trial (by which I mean all lawyers and witnesses will be somewhere else other than the courtroom) eliminates that unfairness.
In ordering this trial to be virtual, he noted the then-current backlog of trials:
Given the starting point that I have the authority to do this, and given the increasing backlog of jury trials created by the nearly three months and counting of the state of emergency, I think a virtual trial is fairly necessary to the administration of justice, and I do not think it will prejudice either side.
The trial is expected to run for three six-hour days, split into one-and-a-half-hour chunks.
The complaint is also attached below if anyone is planning to listen in.
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