Bucks County lifts COVID mask requirements for all Courts

Today Bucks County’s Court Administrator sent out a notice to all members of the Bucks County Bar Association advising that President Judge Wallace Bateman has lifted the mask requirement for all Bucks County Courts, effective yesterday. Yesterday we wrote that Montgomery County Courts did the same thing. As a result, lawyers, Judges and members of the public appearing in any court in Bucks County or Montgomery County can now do so without “masking up.” Of course, you can certainly wear a mask if you choose to. The most interesting question is whether witnesses will be permitted to wear masks or whether Judges might ask them to unmask while testifying so that crucial facial signs can be observed by those judging the facts. Studies have shown that jurors utilize the mannerisms and facial movements of a witness in assessing credibility. In a close case, how can you tell if someone is lying or telling the truth if you can’t observe their face while testifying?

Those who are afraid of catching or transmitting COVID won’t like it, but those who feel the masks provide no benefit will rejoice. Certainly, for those of us who wear glasses, we will appreciate the opportunity to at least remove a mask if the glasses begin to fog up – a common occurrence when coming inside from the winter cold. Bucks County lawyers and residents, please let us know your opinions on this subject in the comments below. Do you think masks should still be mandatory in court? Should witnesses be prohibited from wearing masks while testifying?