Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks announced that courts in the Fifth Judicial District, Sixth Judicial District, and Seventh Judicial District will enter Phase II of re-opening on June 3, 2020, and it will expand to the Eighth Judicial District and Fourth Judicial District on June 5, 2020. 

The goal of Phase II is to gradually increase courthouse capacity safely.  As such, Phase II will allow in-person appearances for “essential family matters” that will be “heard by the assigned judge.”[1]  To maintain everyone’s safety and reduce the number of people in a given courthouse at one time, courts will stagger case types, court calendars, and courtroom use.

The following will continue to held virtually: (i) “Criminal, juvenile delinquency, and mental hygiene law proceedings pertaining to a hospitalized adult;”[2]  (ii) non-essential matters; and (iii) mediation and ADRs.

Phase One safety measures will remain in place and can be found here.