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Category Archives: Covid-19 Notices

EARLY DISPOSITION COURT (EDC) – UPDATED AS OF 9/27/22

Author By J.G.Posted on

Early Disposition Court (EDC) is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Bergen County.  During the pandemic, we have continued to make this pre-indictment court a priority and carved out new protocols to effectuate case dispositions in a virtual manner.  With the elimination of social distancing, it has been determined that a return to in-person proceedings is now warranted.  Effective OCTOBER 3, 2022, all appearances from stakeholders and litigants will be required to be in person for both sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

EDC Supplemental Information

This is a supplement and modification to the previously submitted announcement regarding EDC.  Effective 10/3/2022, ALL defendants, including those that are detained in the Bergen County Jail, will be present for their court appearances in EDC on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Supreme Court to Lift Social Distancing and Mask Requirements for Jury Proceedings

Author By J.G.Posted on

In response to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing and masks will no longer be required for jury proceedings in New Jersey courtrooms.

The changes, announced in an order signed today by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, go into effect Sept. 1. The order makes clear that face masks are still permitted in jury proceedings but not required. It also continues the process for all jurors to report virtually at first while providing trial judges the discretion to continue juror voir dire virtually or in person. Read More

Condemnation Commissions

Author By J.G.Posted on

Condemnation Commissioners

The Court is seeking to recruit attorneys who may be interested in serving as Condemnation Commissioners.  Judge Mizdol asks that anyone interested in a potential appointment, please send a letter of interest along with a resume directly to her chambers.

N.J.S.A. 20:3-12 governs the Appointment of Commissioners.

Commissioners shall be residents of the county in which any part of the property being condemned is located or, in the case of the commissioner who must be an attorney, be actively engaged in the practice of law in the county.

 

 

 

 

 

Family Division Reassignments

Author By J.G.Posted on

NOTICE TO THE BAR FAMILY DIVISION REASSIGNMENTS

Effective September 6, 2022, the Judicial assignments are as follows:

Dissolution (FM) Motions and Trials/ Post-Judgment – Motions and Plenary Hearings

Pre- Post-
Docket Nos. JUDGE Docket Nos.
01-25 Peter J. Melchionne, P.J.F.P. 01-05 Peter J. Melchionne, P.J.F.P.
26-55 James J. Guida, J.S.C. 06-10 James J. Guida, J.S.C.
56-70 Jane Gallina-Mecca, J.S.C. 11-15 Darren T. DiBiasi, J.S.C.
71-00 Darren T. DiBiasi, J.S.C. 16-25 Jane Gallina-Mecca, J.S.C.
26-40 Magali M. Francois, J.S.C.
41-55 Jaclyn Medina, J.S.C.
56-70 Mark T. Janeczko, J.S.C.
71-85 Nina C. Remson, J.S.C.
86-00 Michael Antoniewicz, J.S.C.

In addition, the Judges will hear the following matters:

Judge Francois (Room 152) Juvenile; Children in Court, Domestic Violence and Special Immigrant Juvenile matters Judge Janeczko (Room 108) Domestic Violence; Weapons Forfeiture
Judge Mecca (Room 336) Children in Court
Judge Medina (Room 338) Non-Dissolution and Special Immigrant Juvenile matters Judge Remson (Room 354) Non-Dissolution; Contempt
Judge Antoniewicz (Room 317) Domestic Violence; Children in Court Judge Mizdol, AJ (Room 426) Children in Court FC Summary Hearings

Read More

Candidates Sought for District Ethics Committee (DEC)

Author By J.G.Posted on

District Ethics Committee members serve at the pleasure of the Supreme Court for a four-year term (and are eligible for re-appointment to one additional consecutive four-year term). Interested candidates should forward a cover letter and resume to the chambers of the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.C.S.J.

Please click below to read a summary of duties, terms, time commitment, and appointment process.

District Ethics Committee Candidates

 

 

CALL FOR ATTORNEY AND PUBLIC CANDIDATE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE DISTRICT ETHICS AND FEE ARBITRATION COMMITTEES

Author By J.G.Posted on

FOUR-YEAR TERM OF SERVICE BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR

The Office of Attorney Ethics welcomes applicants to apply for appointment by the New Jersey Supreme Court to the District Ethics and Fee Arbitration Committees. The next term of service will begin on September 1.

Please click the link below to review the information sheet and application.

A3d – CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS – DEC and DFAC

Notice to the Bar Regarding Background Screening for Certain Proposed Guardians of Alleged Incapacitated Individuals From the Desks of Assignment Judge Bonnie J. Mizdol and Bergen County Surrogate Michael R. Dressler

Author By J.G.Posted on

May 15, 2022 marks the one year anniversary of the amendments to R. 4:86 requiring background screening for certain proposed guardians. Since the inception of the background screening requirement, Bergen County has filed in excess of 275 adult guardianship applications, with almost 50% requiring background screening for at least one proposed guardian.

The Bergen County Superior Court and the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court are experiencing difficulty with fingerprinting various proposed guardians, wherein the proposed guardian(s) fail to contact the Sheriff’s Department to schedule fingerprinting and/or fail to appear for their fingerprinting appointment(s) which were scheduled by the proposed guardian. This results in multiple adjournments to the detriment of the alleged incapacitated individual.

Follow up telephone calls or emails from the Court to proposed guardians with regard to same are met with a plethora of reasons as to why fingerprinting has not occurred. By way of example, and by no means an exhaustive list:

  • Proposed guardian was previously fingerprinted for another reason (ie. employment) and should not need to be fingerprinted
  • Proposed guardian works full time and cannot appear for fingerprinting during business hours
  • Proposed guardian is out of the country on business for several months
  • Proposed guardian refuses to provide Social Security Number required for background screening
  • Counsel failed to notify proposed guardian of requirement to be fingerprinted

At present, the Bergen Vicinage and the Bergen County Surrogate are both operating with a reduced staff and the continuous and repeated attempts to follow up with proposed guardians has been challenging, particularly when they are represented by counsel and should have been thoroughly advised as to the Court’s background screening policy.

We urge counsel to explain to proposed guardians that the requirement for background screening is mandated by the Administrative Office of the Courts, and failure to comply with the requirement in a timely manner will result in automatic disqualification of the proposed guardian.

Applications for adult guardianship that are not accompanied by Name/Address/Phone Number/Social Security Number/Date of Birth/and Email Address of proposed guardians will not be docketed until this information is provided.

Further, proposed guardians will be afforded sixty (60) days from the date of filing to complete background screening. Failure to do so will result in automatic disqualification of the proposed guardian(s) absent exigent circumstances. Notices will be sent to counsel and pro se litigants with signed Orders Fixing Hearing Date.

We ask that you recognize the seriousness of timely compliance in protecting the rights of Bergen County’s most vulnerable citizens and thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

/s/ Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.J.S.C. and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler Bergen County

May 5, 2022

SUPREME COURT COMMITTEES – REQUEST FOR INDICATION OF INTEREST IN POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT

Author By J.G.Posted on

NOTICE TO THE BAR & PUBLIC

SUPREME COURT COMMITTEES – REQUEST FOR INDICATION OF INTEREST IN POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT

The Supreme Court seeks individuals with diverse areas of expertise, experiences, and perspectives interested in assisting the Judiciary through service on committees and other groups. The Court continues to prioritize inclusivity in the composition of its committees, including as to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and all primary aspects of identity, as well as areas of legal practice, geography, and community involvement, in order to support robust discussion and comprehensive consideration of issues. Read More

COVID-19 — EXTENSION OF FILING DEADLINES FOR STATE TAX MATTERS TO CONCLUDE AS OF MAY 1, 2022

Author By J.G.Posted on

NOTICE TO THE BAR: COVID-19 — EXTENSION OF FILING DEADLINES FOR STATE TAX MATTERS TO CONCLUDE AS OF MAY 1, 2022 

The Supreme Court earlier extended the filing deadlines for certain tax matters in light of the COVID-19 emergency. The extension of deadlines for local property appeals has already concluded. The Court in the attached April 14, 2022 Order has concluded the COVID-19-related extensions of deadlines with regard to state tax appeals as of May 1, 2022 

Questions on this notice should be directed to Tax Court Clerk/Administrator Cheryl Ryan at (609) 815-2922, Option 1 or extension 54650. 

/s/ Glenn A. Grant 

Administrative Director of the Courts 

Dated: April 14, 2022 

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY 

In light of the public health emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court extended certain deadlines with regard to local property tax appeals and state tax appeals. The Court in its March 19, 2020 Order and subsequent orders extended such deadlines to the later of May 1, 2020 or 30 days following the conclusion of the State of Emergency declared under Executive Order 103. The Court cited as the basis for those extensions the COVID-19-related disruptions that prevented corporate and residential taxpayers from meeting filing deadlines in property tax appeals before the County Boards of Taxation and the New Jersey Tax Court. L. 2020, c. 35 concluded the extension of deadlines for local property tax appeals but did not address state tax matters. 

The circumstances that prompted the Court to extend filing deadlines have abated. Pursuant to Executive Order 244 (June 4, 2021) and Executive Order 292 (March 4, 2022), the COVID-19 public health emergency has concluded. Pandemic-related barriers no longer prevent New Jersey taxpayers from meeting filing deadlines. 

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

  1. The COVID-19-related extensions of deadlines with regard to state tax appeals are concluded as of May 1, 2022. 
  2. This Order supersedes any inconsistent provisions of the Court’s COVID-19 Omnibus and other Orders, including its March 19, 2020, April 6, 2020, and April 21, 2020 Orders.

For the Court, 

/s/ Stuart Rabner

Chief Justice 

Dated: April 14, 2022 

 

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