Noting some new tales of the COVID-era challenges of criminal justice administration

In reviewing the news of the day, I came across a number of notable new stories about the (many) unique challenges that now arise as a global pandemic dramatically alters the administration of criminal justice.  Here are headlines and a highlight from a few of these pieces:

From The Appeal, "Covid-19 Is Creating A State Of Emergency For Incoming Public Defenders. Diploma Privilege Is The Only Solution."

The public defender system that sprung out of Gideon, however, has faced crises ranging from underfunding to staggering caseloads that make it impossible for defenders to effectively represent their clients.  Now, COVID-19 is ushering in a new crisis: several states including California as well as the District of Columbia have postponed their bar exams, while other states have enacted a provisional licensing scheme, meaning that while law school graduates may be able to work in temporary, limited capacities performing the work that Gideon mandates, they will also bear the burden of preparing for the bar.  So, what will happen to the marginalized — and Gideon’s mandate — when an entire class of public defenders cannot begin their jobs as scheduled in the fall of 2020?

From Law360, "Grand Jury Suspensions A Looming Problem For Prosecutors":

As court closures stretch on during the coronavirus pandemic, the suspension of federal grand juries is causing headaches for prosecutors by jeopardizing older cases and slowing down complex ones, requiring judges to consider how to bring the panels back.

From The Marshall Project, "A Dangerous Limbo: Probation and Parole in the Time of COVID-19":

When people are accused of violating their probation or parole, they often have to wait behind bars for a series of hearings and procedural hurdles to determine if they are guilty and what the consequences will be.  Think of a criminal trial, but less formal and with fewer constitutional protections.  Even “one day in custody can totally disrupt someone’s life to the point of almost no return,” says Michael Nail, Georgia’s commissioner of community supervision.  Now, coronavirus can make custody downright dangerous.

p>From WSYX/WTTE, "Ohio prosecutors have backlog of cases, courtrooms not expected to fully reopen until June":

Right now many victims and cases are in limbo because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Court systems all across Ohio are looking at how to handle the volume of cases that haven't been touched in weeks and new cases too. In Fairfield County, Prosecutor Kyle Witt says they've been working diligently to figure out how to give those arrested and victims their day in court.  The county's grand jury met for the first time today in weeks. "We're resuming today, we're limiting the number of people in that room. We are providing masks and gloves and social distancing," said Witt.