Rockland Grand Jury Working On Coronavirus Backlog

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announces the completion of the 9th Grand Jury term of 2020.

Since mid-July, when courts began operating again, the justice system has been working through the backlog created by the coronavirus outbreak and shutdown in mid-March.

The DA's Office has been acting expeditiously under the guidelines set out by the Office of Court Administration, Walsh said. The assistant district attorneys have been working hard to get cases ready for presentations and secure indictments.

The first grand jury term in Rockland County after the coronavirus shutdown cleared out a backlog of serious cases before ending, handing up 25 indictments for murders, rapes, assaults, robberies, burglaries, public corruption, domestic violence and drug cases.

The next grand jury, empaneled during the term that started on Aug. 14, handed up 32 indictments.

"My office thanks the dedicated service of the 23 men and women who listened to many cases and handed up 32 indictments," Walsh said. "We now start the process all over again, welcoming the new grand jury, and continue our mission of protecting this great community."