Examination of the Impacts of Covid-19 on the Court System in a Midwestern State

• In Event: The Impact of COVID 19 on Courts and Case Processing

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the criminal justice system in numerous ways, resulting in both positive and negative consequences. While prior research has examined how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the operations of the courts, studies that examine this topic using in-depth qualitative interviews with a variety of actors at all levels of the court system has been rare. To address this gap in the literature, the current study uses a mixed method approach that relies on in-depth interviews with approximately 50 courtroom actors, survey data from over 1,000 respondents, and official court data from one Midwestern state. Specific themes that will be examined in this study are the use of virtual hearings, backlog, job-related stress, and social distancing within the courtroom.

Authors

• Katelyn McMahon, Missouri State University

• Jennifer LaPrade, Missouri State University

• Ethan Amidon, Missouri State University