TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court has given the green light for some criminal jury trials to be conducted virtually, under the appropriate circumstances.

Under the administrative order issued last month, in order to conduct a virtual jury trial, the defendant must consent to it. In addition, the judge must consider the victims and stance of the prosecutors involved before making that decision.

Hillsborough County Chief Judge Ronald Ficarrotta said he’s grateful to have the option but plans to stick to keeping criminal jury trials in person if possible.

“It’s very difficult, particularly in a criminal case, because in a criminal case you’re not just talking about money,” he explained. “You’re talking about a person’s liberty. There are due process rights attached.”

Ficarrotta feels that through the screen, too much would get lost in translation. A connection with the jurors and the ability to read and see body language all play into a typical criminal trial.

“If someone is accused of a crime they have the right to confront their accuser. Can you confront someone virtually? You lose some of the effect here,” he said.

Hillsborough County is facing a backlog of cases due to the pandemic, just as many other counties are.

In-person jury trails halted for roughly six months last year and again in January when cases spiked.

Despite that, Ficarrotta said the circuit court has conducted more than 60 jury trials which he believes is more than any other county in the area.

For now, Hillsborough County is limiting the number of trials and requiring that all jurors wear face coverings and remain distanced from one another.