Jurors concerned about COVID-19 safety as cases rise in Bexar County

Judge checks meeting locations for protocol compliance

SAN ANTONIO – The county is examining potential meeting locations for grand juries in the Bexar County Courthouse complex after some jurors expressed concerns for their safety given the rising number of COVID-19 cases locally.

With safety protocols in place, grand juries have been meeting throughout the pandemic.

On Thursday, State District Judge Velia Meza toured meeting sites for juries within the complex.

The locations are not being revealed since all grand jury meetings are secret and confidential.

After a remote meeting Thursday with members of the latest grand jury sworn in last week, Meza said that among their concerns was “the fact that they have to come to the courthouse facility to meet in person for their duties as grand jurors.”

Meza said she assured them, saying, “We’re going to make sure that they have a much bigger place to work in so that they can maximize the social distance between them.”

She also explained to them that the county is in constant contact with Metro Health to ensure that all safety protocols are being followed.

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About the Authors:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.