Supreme Court Approves Post-Pandemic Plan

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TRENTON – Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and the Supreme Court have approved a plan for the gradual resumption of certain in-person court events, as recommended by the New Jersey Courts Post-Pandemic Planning committees.
According to a release, the plan outlines the precautions being implemented before court buildings are opened for any in-person proceedings in any court. While criminal jury trials will remain suspended, the following criminal matters may, consistent with Supreme Court guidance, be handled in person:
• Completion of suspended jury trials with the consent of all attorneys and parties and approval of the Chief Justice
• Sentencings
• Guilty pleas
• Final Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) hearings where there is no consent to proceed remotely
• Violation of monitoring
• Violation of probation for defendants in custody
The precautions also include requirements for the public and judiciary employees to wear masks in non-private areas and to maintain social distancing. Members of the public should not come to court unless they have been notified that a matter has been scheduled.