The Guthrie County Attorney updated the Board of Supervisors on jury trial selection and the County’s criminal collections during Thursday’s meeting.

Brenna Bird said she is working on lease agreements to present to the Board on the County using either the First Baptist Church or the Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center for jury selection in order to comply with social distancing. Bird said that currently this December and January is scheduled to be very busy with jury trials, and that some defense attorneys are seeking to argue to the district judge against holding jury selection in a church. Bird said she sees no legal barrier in using a church, as churches are used for election polling places, though if either the church or fairgrounds held some sort of conflict of interest for a case she would agree to moving the location. The church is offering their facility for free, which is the County’s preferred location, while the fairgrounds would be a backup location as they do charge rent.

Bird also informed the Board that as they are in the second year of their criminal payment plan program, they are already nearing the $25,000 required threshold for this fiscal year with about $23,000 collected. The County receives 28% of these collections in their general fund, which Bird mentioned she is working with Facilities Manager Brandon Thompson on installing a new secure door for the Attorney’s Office that will include a visitor window.