N.J. federal courts suspend in-person hearings as COVID cases surge

Federal courts in New Jersey have suspended all in-person hearings until at least the end of the month, as the state has seen record-high number of coronavirus cases recently.

U.S. Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson signed a court order last week suspending all in-person federal judicial proceedings in the state for both civil and criminal cases through Jan. 31.

Hearings should be conducted via video and teleconference whenever possible, the order says, a practice the courts have adopted through much of the pandemic.

The order comes as COVID-19 cases are surging in New Jersey, as well as nationwide, due to the omicron variant of the virus that has become the dominant strain. All 21 New Jersey counties have seen increases in cases in recent weeks. Statewide, the case rate has increased 264% from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3 compared to mid-December.

Throughout the pandemic, federal courts have instituted new policies and restrictions for public health reasons. Federal courts in New Jersey — located in Newark, Trenton and Camden — had been operating in a hybrid model in recent months. In-person jury trials resumed and other hearings were being held in person, though a number of hearings continued to be held virtually.

Now, they will all be either by video or telephone through at least the end of the month.

The order stipulates that if a defendant does not consent to proceed via video or teleconference for an initial appearance, arraignment, plea or sentencing, the proceeding should be put on hold and held in-person sometime after Jan. 31.

The order says convening grand juries should be limited and “only to the extent deemed necessary and warranted under the circumstances.” The government will also still have the ability to meet with defendants at the U.S. Attorney’s office or other law enforcement facilities as long as COVID-19 safety protocols are followed, according to the order.

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Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com.

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