Bergen County Bar Association Archives - Page 15 of 16

NOTICE: Suspending Depositions and Appearances of Medical Professionals Involved in Addressing COVID-19

By J.G.March 26, 2020April 28, 2020

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

In response to the still expanding public health crisis worldwide and in this state involving the COVID-19 coronavirus, the New Jersey Judiciary continues to modify court operations to the fullest extent possible in accordance with the recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJ DOH”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”).

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a critical need for the uninterrupted services of many doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals.

Recognizing that critical need, it is ORDERED that effective immediately through Sunday, April 26, 2020, all depositions of and all required appearances for any doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals who are involved in responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency are suspended, except for appearances and depositions (i) that are requested by the doctor, nurse, or healthcare professional; or (ii) that are for matters related to COVID-19.

For the Court

/s/ Stuart Rabner

Chief Justice

Dated: March 24, 2020

NOTICE: In the Matter of Request to Commute or Spend Certain County Jail Sentences

By J.G.March 23, 2020April 28, 2020

This matter having come before the Court on the request for relief by the Office of the Public Defender (see attached letter dated March 19, 2020), seeking the Court’s consideration of a proposed Order to Show Cause (see attached) designed to commute or suspend county jail sentences currently being served by county jail inmates either as a condition of probation for an indictable offense or because of a municipal court conviction; and

The Court, on its own motion, having relaxed the Rules of Court to permit the filing of this request for relief directly with the Supreme Court, based on the dangers posed by COVID-19, and the statewide impact of the nature of the request in light of the Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by the Governor. See Executive Order No. 103 (2020) (Mar. 9, 2020);

And for good cause shown; it is Read More

NOTICE: Supreme Court-Ordered Mediation Yields Agreement on Release of Low-Risk County Jail Inmates

By J.G.March 23, 2020April 28, 2020

The Supreme Court issued an order late Sunday night that will suspend or commute county jail sentences for low-risk inmates in light of the public health emergency caused by coronavirus COVID-19.

The order commutes or suspends county jail sentences currently being served by county jail inmates either as a condition of probation for an indictable offense or because of a municipal court conviction. It directs their release no later than 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The Supreme Court on Friday relaxed the rules of the court to accept a petition from the Office of the Public Defender in response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in county jails. Read More

Our President’s Note

By J.G.March 20, 2020April 28, 2020

I never imagined that this would be the first address I would give to our members.

I hope this message finds you and your family healthy and safe. You should know that the Bergen County Bar Association continues to operate during this difficult time in order to serve our members and provide as much information to you as possible.

To accomplish this objective, I have coordinated daily contact with the Sheriff’s Department, the office of the County Executive and Assignment Judge Mizdol in order to provide you with the most current information available. Our executive board is in frequent discussions in order to keep you apprised as to updated protocols. For example as we receive information regarding attorney visits at the jail, and attorney video conferencing for court proceedings we will advise you as quickly as possible. You are encouraged to visit our website for this information and to check your emails for our e-blasts.

We have been through many hard times and we have always been able to overcome them. This time is no different. We should continue to practice with the utmost professionalism that is characteristic of our Association’s members.

Warmest regards,
BCBA President
Joseph A. Maurice, Esq.

BCBA’S 122nd President Joseph A. Maurice, Esq. Installed – Wednesday, March 18 2020

By J.G.March 20, 2020April 28, 2020

Bergen County Assignment Judge Bonnie J. Mizdol administers the Oath of Office to our Association’s new President, Joseph A. Maurice in the judge’s courtroom on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Pictured with the judge and President Maurice is Assistant Prosecutor and wife, Demetra Maurice.

NOTICE: Extension of Property Tax Appeal Filing Deadline Due to COVID-19

By J.G.March 20, 2020April 28, 2020

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

WHEREAS, a national emergency has been declared and the Governor of New Jersey has declared a State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency because of the COVID-19 coronavirus public health crisis, with statewide implementation of social distancing measures to attempt to slow the spread of the virus; and

WHEREAS, those measures are resulting in unprecedented closures and cancellations throughout the state such that corporate and residential property taxpayers are severely disrupted in their ability to meet filing deadlines in property tax appeals before the County Boards of Taxation and the New Jersey Tax Court; Read More

NOTICE: New Measures About Criminal Speedy Trials & Excludable Time

By J.G.March 20, 2020April 28, 2020

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

In response to the growing public health crisis worldwide and in this state involving the COVID-19 coronavirus, the New Jersey Judiciary is implementing all possible measures to apply social distancing in current court operations consistent with the recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJ DOH”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”).

Based on the large number of persons required for jury and grand jury panels, on March 12, 2020, the Judiciary suspended all reporting for jury service except for ongoing trials and directed that no new criminal jury trials would be conducted until further notice, and on March 17, 2020, the Court postponed the empanelment of all grand juries, including the State Grand Jury, and cancelled all current grand jury sessions, including the State Grand Jury, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, through Friday, March 27, 2020

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that, effective immediately: Read More

NOTICE: Civil Arbitrations and MESP Sessions

By J.G.March 19, 2020April 28, 2020

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that effective immediately and until further order: Read More

NOTICE: Bergen County Jail Update & County Executive Order 2020-1B Rescinded

By J.G.March 19, 2020April 28, 2020

UPDATE ON BERGEN COUNTY JAIL & RESCINDED COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-1B

While one Sheriff’s Department Correctional Officer tested positive for the Coronavirus several days ago and several other officers in close-quarters with that officer are all now under a 14-day self-quarantine, the Bergen County Jail continues its regular procedure for attorney interviews with inmates. No current inmate at the Bergen County Jail has been tested positive for the coronavirus.
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco today rescinded his Executive Order 2020-1B at the request of the Governor. The Murphy Administration has stated that the only closures that could be enforced were those issued by the Governor. Law offices were specifically exempted from the County Executive’s order.Executive Order 2020-1B has never been enacted but was delayed to work with the Governor’s Office and to take the opportunity to revisit areas of the Executive Order that the County had received feedback on from the business community and the public.

NOTICE: Update Related to Bergen County Superior Court Operations

By J.G.March 19, 2020April 28, 2020

NOTICE TO THE BERGEN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

MARCH 18, 2020

The Bergen County Judiciary, in conjunction with the New Jersey Judiciary, is continuing to take preventive measures to reduce risks of exposure to and transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus. As of March 18, 2020, and until further notice, there shall be NO in-person Superior Court proceedings (except for extremely limited emergent matters as set forth in the March 15, 2020, Notice to the Bar attached).

The Bergen Judiciary shall attempt to handle as many matters as possible (including case management conferences, motions, and hearings) by telephone or video conference, whether from the courthouse or remotely in the days and weeks ahead. This is all part of the Judiciary’s social distancing effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

In order to conduct conferences via video we shall be using the Zoom Platform. To prepare, I urge that you download the application on your devices.

In the meantime, the situation is fluid and we continue to plan for further adjustments. At the time of this writing the Bergen Judiciary has implemented the following changes: Read More