The 13th Judicial Circuit today is suspending all jury trials and certain in court appearances as a result of the spiking positivity rate of COVID-19. 

The positivity rate in Hillsborough County late last week was edging toward 16 percent.

Chief Judge Ronald Ficarrotta says although the moratorium on jury trials and court appearances will be in place until March, cases will still move through the system virtually.

"There will be court hearings. There will be motions heard.  There will be things leading up to that trial that will have to be done virtually," Judge Ficarrotta said.

Most court appearances in Hillsborough Courts have remained virtual since the pandemic began including appearances for motions, status checks and first appearances.

The change today impacts cases ready to be adjudicated, mainly civil and criminal jury trials and other in-person appearances.

As a result of the moratorium in the 13th Judicial Circuit, a backlog of cases will be unavoidable, however Judge Ficarrotta says prosecutors are working hard to clear out cases that will not need trials.

Once the moratorium on in-person trials is lifted, there could also be a flood of new cases caused by the pandemic hitting the court system.

"We need to really work to make sure the courts are adequately funded and that we have the resources necessary to address this pending wave of cases, those that have been backed up and delayed and those that are going to be generated from the pandemic," Judge Ficarrotta said.

For more on the changes at the Hillsborough County Courthouse taking effect today, or for information on navigating the court system, click here.