Court News
With New York City coming on board today, all Courts in New York State have resumed in-person operations allowing for limited traffic in court facilities and the ability for the public to file papers.
All Judges and their chambers staff are back in court buildings along with a modest percentage of other support staff.
According to the Chief Administrative Judge of NY State,
By This Week’s End All Courts Outside Of NYC Will Have Begun To Open In Phase With A Gradual Return To In Person Operations.
Starting today, courts in the Third Judicial District (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties) and Ninth Judicial District (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties) will enter Phase Two; followed tomorrow by courts in the Tenth Judicial District (Nassau and Suffolk counties).
According to the latest Court Press Release:
The goal of Phase Two is to safely increase courthouse foot traffic in a gradual manner, so that the Court can select matters that require an in-person appearance while continuing to maximize virtual appearances, as follows:
- •Essential family matters will be conducted in-person and heard by the assigned judge
- Criminal, juvenile delinquency and mental hygiene law proceedings pertaining to a hospitalized adult will be held virtually and heard by the assigned judge.
- Non-essential matters will continue to be held virtually and heard by the assigned judge
- .•Mediation/alternate dispute resolution will be conducted virtually.
You can expect to have make appointments to see a clerk in some counties as in person access will be limited to avoid spreading Covid-19. I suggest you check with the court clerk before attempting to visit and use the NYSCEF system as much as possible. ·