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Frustration mounts as Bexar County courtrooms stay closed while bars reopen

No jury trials expected until 2021; remote hearings only legal forum for criminal cases resolution

SAN ANTONIO – Many bars in Bexar County reopened Wednesday with strict limitations that include 50% capacity after being closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While bars may start looking somewhat back to normal, that is not the case at the Bexar County Courthouse, where there have been no jury trials for the past eight months.

The lack of in-person court hearings troubles defense attorneys and their clients, as evidenced by a conversation with a client that attorney John Kuntz shared with KSAT 12 News.

“He said, 'Now wait a minute. The right to party is more important than my Sixth Amendment rights to a speedy trial? '“ Kuntz recalled.

The courthouse trial shutdown is for the safety of jurors, according to Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel.

The judge said if a juror is summoned to appear, he or she must show up, whereas bar patrons are in bars voluntarily.

”We want to go out of our way to insure that public safety is first,” Rangel said recently. “That’s been our message from the beginning, and it’s not going to stop.”

Kuntz’s concern, like that of most defense attorneys, is about justice and fairness.

“When are we going to start caring about people’s liberties and people’s rights?” he asked while talking about people in jail awaiting trial.

Kuntz said his frustration with the limitations dictated by the pandemic goes beyond attorneys and their clients.

“I understand where the judges are coming from, and I’m not upset with the judges,”Kuntz said. “This is a shifting circumstance for everyone.”


About the Authors
Paul Venema headshot

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.

Sal Salazar headshot

Sal Salazar is a photojournalist at KSAT 12. Before coming to KSAT in 1998, he worked at the Fox affiliate in San Antonio. Sal started off his career back in 1995 for the ABC Affiliate in Lubbock and has covered many high-profile news events since. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at home, gaming and loves traveling with his wife.

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