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6 ■ JUNE 14, 2021 NEWS

■ From PLAINTIFF’S on PAGE 1 Robinson, an attorney for 34
who have been summoned to years, said Stevens “had a very
jury service,” Hebert said. “To- liberal policy” on releasing jurors
day is June 7; jury trials resumed who had concerns related to po-
less than a week ago after being tential conflicts of scheduling.
suspended for 15 months.” Robinson Mahoney partner Robinson is representing a
Of the jurors who did show, Cindy Robinson discussed Bridgeport police officer who is
none asked to be removed from going back to work on suing for damages after another
the process due to COVID-19 jury trials after a year-plus vehicle struck her cruiser.
concerns, Robinson said. pandemic kept her from Jurors were questioned June 3
The Sixth Floor Was Quiet the courtroom. and 4 and jury selection resumes
Robinson said the experience of Tuesday, Robinson said.
going back to court and to work Robinson said she questioned
on jury trials was rewarding but about 15 jurors and, to date, four
also a little unnerving. have been chosen for the six-per-
“As far as the energy in the son, two alternate-person jury.
courtroom, I did feel it was dif- While the sixth floor of the
ferent than what I was used to,” said Robinson, a Bridgeport Superior Court is usually bustling with
partner in the newly formed law firm Robinson as many as 20 cases being heard, it was relatively
& Mahoney in Fairfield. “I think it felt different quiet June 3 and 4, Robinson said.
because there were new procedures for everyone, “The sixth floor was quiet, and that was very un-
including the judge.” usual,” said Robinson, who noted her case was the
Robinson said those new procedures included very first one called since the Judicial Branch an-
mask wearing, plexiglass dividers in the courtroom nounced jury trials would resume June 1. She said
and social distance protocols. there were only a handful of other cases going on.
The new rules, at least in the Bridgeport Superior Robinson said she also missed the camaraderie of
Court, entail everyone wearing a mask and having being in the courthouse with her peers and court staff.
plexiglass in the witness box, in front of the judge, “I was talking to the staff and everyone was
and even between some tables where the attorneys checking in to see how others had done during the
sit, Robinson said. pandemic,” Robinson said. “It appeared everyone
The attorney said some jurors who were vacci- was happy to be back working in the courthouse, as
nated asked that they be allowed to remove their opposed to working remotely.” ■
masks. Judge Barry Stevens responded that jurors
can only take their masks off when the attorneys Robert Storace covers legal trends, lawsuits and
were speaking to them. They were given the op- analysis for the Connecticut Law Tribune. Follow
tion of wearing a face shield instead of a mask, but him on Twitter @RobertSCTLaw or reach him at
none chose to do so. 203-437-5950.

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