NOTICE TO THE BAR

     The past two weeks have presented enormous challenges, and it has been inspiring to witness the dedication of the Bergen Judiciary, our Trial Court Administrator, Laura Simoldoni, senior administrative staff and all of our judiciary employees.

Quoting Chief Justice Rabner,

Our mission at this time of crisis is straightforward and complex all at once.  In a society based upon the rule of law, it is essential that courts remain open and that the public has access to the justice system.  Victims of domestic violence, defendants awaiting pretrial release, civil litigants struggling to get needed relief and countless others cannot wait for weeks or months to be heard.  And the responsibility to provide them a fair forum and address their dispute – even at the most challenging of time – falls on the Judiciary.

We are striving to carry out that responsibility as safely as possible.  The health of court staff, judges and members of the public is at stake and that concern has and will continue to guide all of our decisions about administering the courts at this time.

I have and continue to remain in daily communication with your Executive Director, Frank O’Marra, to provide the most up-to-date information available to the Bergen County Bar Association. Read More

The Tax Court has transitioned to virtual courtrooms. The Court had its first virtual trial on Wednesday March 25, 2020. For the foreseeable future all proceedings which would normally be held in-person (oral arguments on motions, trials, Chapter 91 hearings) will be conducted via Zoom and live streamed by the Judiciary at https://njcourts.gov/public/channels.html. In the event you have a matter before the Tax Court you will be contacted by chambers with instructions on how to log-in and how to upload documents. Questions can be directed to Tax Court IT department at 609-815-2922 ext. 54646.

 

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 continues to implement all possible measures to apply social distancing in court operations consistent with the recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJ DOH”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”).

The Judiciary accordingly has closed comi buildings to the public and adjusted the operations of court offices to reduce the risk of exposure to or transmission of the virus.

Executive Order 107 (March 21, 2020) imposed strict limitations on the operations of “brick-and-mortar” businesses and required telecommuting to the greatest extent possible, causing law firms to transition expeditiously to remote work operations with few if any attorneys or staff working from their law firm offices. Read More

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

As you know, there are currently no in-person court proceedings, except for limited emergent matters, because of concerns related to COVID-19. In the event you have an emergent matter in the Bergen Vicinage please call our main telephone number (201) 221-0700.

For Family Division matter per docket type please use the following extension:

DV Matters – 25168

FM Matters – 25237

FJ Matters – 25205

CIC Matters – 25216

For Criminal Division Trial matters please call either extension 25007 or 25008.

For Pretrial matters call extension 25009.

For Civil Division matters please use the following extensions: 25722.

For Child Support matters, please call (877) 655-4371.

For the Fiance Division please call extension 25135 or 25136.

These extensions are being constantly monitored. In the event you leave a voice mail message, you will receive a call back from staff.

 

/s/ Laura Simoldoni,

Trial Court Administrator

Dated: March 24, 2020

As reflected in the court’s Automated Case Management System, pretrial judicial settlement conferences, scheduled to be conducted by the Hon. Lisa Perez-Friscia, J.S.C., through April 3, 2020, are CANCELLED.  Civil Judges in Bergen – including Judge Perez-Friscia – may call counsel and initiate settlement conferences telephonically.  The Bar is advised to check ACMS for scheduling updates on their cases.

 

/s/ Hon. Robert L. Polifroni, P.J.Cv.

Dated: March 24, 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

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

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