The leadership of the Bergen County Bar Association meets with the Bergen County Assignment Judge on a bimonthly basis to discuss issues of mutual interest to the judiciary and our membership. If there are issues of general importance that should be raised at our next meeting, please email the BCBA.

This is a summary of the most recent meeting with the Honorable Carol Novey Catuogno, A.J.S.C.:

1. Judicial Vacancies- There are currently 13 judicial vacancies in Bergen County, and that number will increase to 14 effective August 1st following the scheduled retirement of the Honorable Margaret M. Foti, P.J.Cr.

2. Courthouse Renovations- As you know, there were significant courthouse renovations over the past several years, which included adding new courtrooms, office space, a new jury assembly area, and attorney conference rooms. Approximately two months ago, the air conditioning unit that serviced a portion of this new space leaked and damaged a significant portion of the construction. Those areas will be repaired, however at this time, many remain closed.

3. Courtrooms and Sheriffs Officer shortage- The Bergen County Sheriff’s Department is managing a shortage of staff in the courthouse, and many courtrooms may not be open for public access promptly at 9:00 am due to this issue. Please be patient with our Sheriff’s Department and know that the courtrooms will be opened as soon as there are a sufficient number of officers to do so safely.

4. Guardianships- Judge Catuogno will retain the portion of the Guardianship calendar previously handled by Judge Mizdol.

5. Civil and Criminal Trials- Despite the judicial vacancies in Bergen County, the Criminal Division is conducting criminal trials regularly, with a focus on incarcerated defendants. Civil trials are proceeding as well at this time, however, some trials (especially those that require multiple trial days) may not proceed as scheduled.

Law firms are flooding the Civil Division Office with telephone calls on the “day of” remote calendars asking for Zoom Links to be re-sent to addresses that have previously been verified and provided by the offending law firms in eCourts.

It appears that the reasons firms are asking for Zoom Links to be re-sent are internal to those law firms. By way of example:

  • The firm is using a general law firm email box to receive links and specific attorneys cannot access the general email box;
  • Information in eCourts is for a senior partner of the firm, but not the actual attorney within the firm handling the matter, and the Zoom Link has not been internally forwarded to the appearing attorney; or
  • eCourts lists the incorrect attorney.

In each instance, court staff are providing Zoom Links as instructed.

At present, the Bergen Vicinage is down fifty-one (51) staff and as you can well imagine, imposing another unnecessary step or interruption is challenging.

The Bergen County Bar Association has always risen to the occasion, and I ask for your cooperation now in ensuring that information provided by your firm is correct, that it is updated appropriately, when necessary, and that internal protocols be put in place to address this issue.

I thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

/s/ Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.J.S.C.
Bergen County

 

August 13, 2020 Bench Bar Conference

On August 13, 2020, Judge Mizdol met with the executive officers and substantive committee chairs of the Bergen County Bar Association for a Bench Bar Conference.

These conferences provide for the exchange of information and ideas between our members and our Bergen County Judiciary and we appreciate the continuation of this program.

During the recent meeting with Judge Mizdol, she explained the great efforts that she and the Bergen Judiciary are making to enable attorneys and litigants to return to the Courthouse.  The efforts include, but are not limited to, courtroom layouts, safety and sanitary measures, social distancing requirements, courtroom logistics meaning what courtrooms can accommodate what cases, and protection of staff, attorneys, litigants, and judges.  We should all be aware that the courthouse has gone through a thorough cleaning process in order to ensure everyone’s safety.

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NOTICE TO THE BAR

Last Thursday, April 16th, 2020, I participated in a Zoom Bench-Bar Meeting with your President, Joseph Maurice, Executive Director, Frank O’Marra, and the Chairs of your Civil, Family, Chancery, Criminal and Municipal Practice Committees.

My goal was to provide information about the new way we are doing the court’s business during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the meeting, I listened intently to the concerns of the Bergen Bar and am hopeful that I allayed some fears.   I wanted to reinforce that most court proceedings continue to be conducted remotely using video and/or phone options.

Just this morning, our Chief Justice issued a new Omnibus Order restating the judiciary’s commitment “to supporting court operations in a virtual format to the greatest extent possible, subject to constitutional considerations and the limitations of our finite resources.”  The Order speaks for itself, but provides that no civil or criminal jury trials will be conducted until further notice, that grand juries are suspended through May 31, 2020, as are Landlord/Tenant calendars and lockouts. Read More