As the pandemic continues to keep courts closed statewide, Orange County is reporting an unprecedented backlog in cases – nearly one year later.

District Attorney Dave Hoovler says nearly 7,000 criminal cases are on hold countywide.

Courts statewide have been mostly closed since March, with limited in-person appearances or none at all, and virtual trials are not allowed.

Hoovler says the situation is problematic for everyone involved.

"Justice that is not speedy is troublesome. Victims are waiting for restitution. Defendants are not getting their day in court, and when the courts do open up, we are going to have a massive funnel that we are going to have a lot of cases trying to fit into a hole that's very small," he says.

The DA says he expects the state to reopen courts in the summer and that cases with incarcerated defendants awaiting trial will be heard first.