The Texas judge who conducted the state’s first hybrid online-in-person jury trial would not do it again, unless absolutely necessary.

Instead of one lawyer coming in by Zoom, with the rest in person, Judge Ernie Armstrong of the 132nd District Court would greatly prefer all of the lawyers and parties to be together. But if it ever happens again that one attorney or party’s risk from COVID-19 is too great to warrant appearing in person, then here is Armstrong’s assessment of a hybrid jury trial.