Friday's Supreme Court decision to give juveniles charged with criminal offenses the option of trial by jury is expected to take a toll on Kansas' already strained resources.

The decision is expected to hit Sedgwick County especially hard because if juveniles do decide to be tried by a jury, the trial cannot take place in the new juvenile facility that is currently under construction. The facility would need to be redesigned to accommodate jury trials, which would come with a hefty price tag.

The alternative, to hold juvenile jury trials in adult courts, would delay an already backed up adult judicial system.

District Attorney Nola Foulston said that more money has not been allocated to cover the increased financial burden.

"My staff is comprised of dedicated professionals and we will move promptly to meet our legal obligations as required by law, despite the limited resources," Foulston said.

The project manager on the new juvenile campus said that their new facility did not anticipate needing space for juries. Project officials will meet with the county commission Tuesday to discuss the issue.