In-person arraignments to return to Queens in July

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In person arraignment will resume in Queens mid-July, Chief Judge DiFiore announced Monday. Eagle file photo by David Brand

In person arraignment will resume in Queens mid-July, Chief Judge DiFiore announced Monday. Eagle file photo by David Brand

By Rachel Vick

After more than a year of remote trials, Queens courts are on track to resume in person arraignments, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore announced Monday.

Queens, the Bronx and Richmond will be the last counties in the city to bring back day arraignments, which are scheduled to begin July 12. In-person night and weekend arraignments will begin again the following week.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, our judges and staff across the state have done an exceptional job of working with the District Attorneys, defense bar and criminal justice stakeholders to ensure that every individual arrested and held in custody was expeditiously arraigned before a judge,” DiFiore said.

Manhattan Criminal Court resumes in person arraignments on June 28 and Kings County on July 6.

Throughout the 15 months of the pandemic, there were nearly 100,000 virtual arraignments conducted in the New York City Criminal Court and over 200,000 state-wide, according to DiFiore.

She said that though the switch to remote operations “was an absolute necessity during the pandemic, it was never intended to be anything but a temporary solution”

“The time is right to restore face-to-face interaction in these important proceedings where charged individuals have the critical opportunity to interact with their lawyers for the first time, and where the Court first exercises its jurisdiction and authority over the defendant,” DiFiore added.

The proceedings also include issuing decisions on bail affecting liberty interests, orders of protection and other factors of an individual’s release.

Distancing and other safety protocols will remain in place and virtual arraignments will be available for any defendants who are ill.

“We are committed, of course, to restoring and expanding in person proceedings and services in all of our courts, but we will be measured and deliberate in our approach,” DiFiore said.