Due to this being the first pipeline trial, 65 potential jurors — the number usually called for a felony trial — have been called to fill the six-person misdemeanor jury, according to Ross Munns, assistant court administrator for the region.

Erickson, the prosecutor, noted there could be issues picking a jury due to the public nature of the case and protests.

"The whole state is invested in this," Erickson said. "It’s not a typical case where the jurors haven't heard anything on it."

The trial is scheduled for one day, with extra tables and chairs to accommodate the 20 lawyers and defendants, but Dickson suggested it could take more than a day just to pick the jury.

"It’s more than just been in the news," Dickson said. "This has been high-profile and high-involvement by the community."

In advance of the trial, Feland has ordered court-appointed attorneys to track their hours spent preparing for the cases. This is in response to a motion by Erickson, who indicated in court documents he will seek hearings on repayment of public defender fees after trial. He contends protesters are seeking to cost the state and county money through their arrests and criminal cases.