F. Dennis Saylor, chief judge of US District Court in Massachusetts, today ordered the postponement of all jury trials in Boston, Worcester and Springfield federal courts between now and April 27 postponed because of the spread of Covid-19 and Gov. Baker's declaration of a state of emergency.

Court offices will remain open and arraignments will continue. "Bench trials," in which cases are tried before a judge rather than a jury, can continue, at the discretion of individual judges, but in his order, Saylor encourages judges to hold conferences and other meetings via telephone or videoconferencing

Saylor adds that any defendants who object to a delay because it would deprive them of a speedy trial can appeal to him to hold a trial.

H/t Keren Goldenberg.