Local courts still experiencing backlog in cases, making progress towards justice

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – It’s a topic that may not be new but is still a reality for the legal system: a serious backlog in court cases.

We checked in with the Wicomico County Circuit Courts who say they’re still experiencing that backlog caused by the pandemic. We’re told once things began opening back up again there was still a limited amount of people allowed in the court. This impacted the jury selection, which lead to cases taking longer to get to trial.

“Cases that otherwise would have been disposed of in 6 months, those individuals were waiting for trial until we were safe to bring juries back in at any capacity,” said Court Administrator Melissa Lahey. “So that looked like 1 year to 18 month delays on top of the original incarceration.”

Lahey says that’s why they’re taking it seriously to work through that backlog. She thanks the hard working judges, law enforcement partners, and more as they continue to make progress. In November, the court set a record number of jury trials held, a step we’re told is in the right direction for justice.

“It meant that there’s a resolution of cases, it meant that we’re working through the backlog, and it means that we had successfully pivoted to allow us to use a combination of technology and innovation,” Lahey said.

“The accused, the victim, the victim’s family, really everyone including the public at large requires that justice be served.”

Lahey says that trials are still held at the courthouse but the jury selecting sight is still at the civic center due to COVID-19 restrictions. She adds that they expect to be out of the backlog situation by mid-2022.