Our criminal part judges continue to handle criminal matters by utilizing technology to enable the parties to appear remotely.
I have assigned our criminal part judges to handle emergent matters for the months of March and April, 2021 as set forth in the schedule listed below. Of course, this schedule is subject to any Phase changes that may be implemented.
The schedule is as follows: Read More
Closure of the courthouse was left in the discretion of Assignment Judge. Judge Mizdol has determined that the Bergen Courthouse will NOT have a delayed opening today, December 17th, but will be closed. There will be no Zoom proceedings today.
Staff will work on non court events remotely.
This notice is sent to clarify any differing posting on NJ Courts website.
Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers are providing critical frontline care as New Jersey battles a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the Supreme Court has reinstated the suspension of requirements for healthcare professionals involved in responding to COVID-19 to appear for depositions or court proceedings, 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. The Court’s December 8, 2020 Order is attached.
Questions may be directed to the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000.
/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.
Acting Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: December 8, 2020
Our Criminal-Part Judges continue to handle matters by handle criminal matters by utilizing technology to enable the parties to appear remotely.
I have assigned our criminal part judges to handle emergent matters for the months of January and February, 2021 as set forth in the schedule list below. Of course, this schedule is subject to any Phase changes that may be implemented.
The New Jersey courts are continuing to provide comprehensive court services at all state court locations and the Administrative Office of the Courts.
As we have for the past eight months, courts at all levels are following a “remote first” approach to court proceedings and court events. Accordingly, matters that can be conducted remotely will continue to be done remotely, and certain matters that cannot be handled in a remote format will be conducted in person.
All State Courts Will Continue to Support Emergent and Critical Functions, Which May be Conducted in Person When Necessary
The Supreme Court has immediately suspended new in-person jury trials and in-person grand jury sessions because of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Court’s November 16, 2020 Order (attached) is effective immediately and until further order.
Consistent with the Court’s October 8, 2020 Ninth Omnibus Order, virtual grand juries have been established in all counties. Existing virtual panels will continue to meet in a virtual format, and in-person panels also may be converted to convene virtually subject to the Judiciary providing technology and training as necessary to support all jurors in participating in virtual sessions. The end-dates for excludable time each have been extended by 45 days beyond the dates set in the October 8, 2020 Ninth Omnibus Order.
The New Jersey Courts will continue to operate in a primarily remote format with limited numbers of judges and court employees on-site and very few court events handled in person.
Questions about this notice may be directed to the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000.
/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.
Acting Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: November 16, 2020
The Supreme Court has issued the attached Ninth Omnibus Order on Court Operations and Legal Practice during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. ***A copy of the Full Order is attached below for your convenience.***
This October 8, 2020 Ninth Omnibus Order continues certain adjustments necessitated during the COVID-19 period, including the prioritization of remote proceedings and permission for electronic signatures, remote or socially distanced depositions, and electronic service on the State of New Jersey. It also includes substantive changes designed to ensure that defendants detained without indictment promptly will have their cases presented to grand juries. To that end, the October 8, 2020 Ninth Omnibus Order includes the following new or updated provisions:
Our criminal part judges continue to handle criminal matters by utilizing technology to enable the parties to appear remotely.
Below are the assigned criminal part judges to handle emergent matters for the months of October, November, and December as set forth in the schedule below. Of course, this schedule is subject to any Phase changes that may be implemented.
The schedule is as follows:
Directive #23-06 (“Grand Jury Standards – Implementation and Questionnaire”) promulgated standard grand jury policies and procedures, including a standard charge to the grand jury (Attachment 3) and a standard oath of secrecy (Attachment 5). The grand jury standards as promulgated by directive #23-06 have been implemented statewide for over a decade.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Supreme Court on May 14, 2020 authorized a pilot program for virtual (video) grand jury sessions in Mercer and Bergen counties. Consistent with the Court’s May 14, 2020 Order, the Judiciary on May 15, 2020 issued a supplement to directive #23-06, which promulgated on a temporary basis a supplement to Attachment A (grand jury charge) and a supplement to Attachment B (secrecy oath). Those approved supplements have been issued to all county and state grand jurors convening in a virtual format during COVID-19.
The Supreme Court’s Post-Pandemic Plan (issued June 10, 2020) outlined in general terms the transition from Phase 1 (fully remote operations) to Phase 2 (incremental return of limited numbers of judges and court staff to Judiciary facilities). Based on current public health recommendations and COVID-19 trends, the New Jersey courts will be expanding the scope of on-site court events, including for new jury trials, but without transitioning fully to Phase 3 as previously anticipated. For lack of a better description, the courts are now moving to “Phase 2.5.” This notice provides additional guidance as to events that may under appropriate circumstances be conducted on-site even while our court system overall continues to follow a “remote first” model.