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
All Vicinages will continue to accommodate court users seeking emergent relief, either in a remote format or, if that is not possible, in an in-person format. Emergent matters that will be supported in person include but are not limited to the following:
- Applications for a domestic violence temporary restraining order;
- Applications to prevent an illegal lockout;
- Orders to Show Cause seeking to prevent immediate and irreparable harm, when initiated by court users without the ability to participate remotely; and
- Statewide critical functions to the extent that they cannot be conducted remotely.
Cash Payments for Child Support at Vicinage Finance Divisions
Vicinage finance windows will open for the limited purpose of accepting cash payments for child support according to a schedule to be set by the Vicinage. The statewide schedule for cash payments for child support will be posted on the Judiciary’s public website (njcourts.gov) along with instructions for making appointments as applicable.
Central Office Functions Will Follow the Above Framework
The Central Office (Administrative Office of the Courts, Offices of the Clerks of Court, and the Dedicated Funds) will continue to support limited in-person events and all critical functions including via in-person options as necessary.
Municipal Courts
Municipal Courts will continue to handle almost all cases remotely, with only a select few being scheduled as in-person events. For information on hours of operation, remote proceedings, and other matters in the Municipal Courts, please contact the individual Municipal Court.
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 Office of the Courts
Dated: November 17, 2020