State will shift emergency and essential court functions to video

The Queens Supreme Court, Civil Term courthouse. Eagle file photo by David Brand

 By David Brand

The state will shift even essential and emergency court proceedings to video conference, with the goal of transitioning all New York City court functions to video by the end of the week in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore discussed the change in a video message to court personnel across the state on March 30.  

All other judicial districts outside New York City will begin handling essential and emergency matters remotely by the end of the next week, DiFiore said. 

Suffolk County and the Fifth and Seventh Judicial Districts, covering the Syracuse and Rochester areas, have already begun virtual operations, according to the New York State Bar Association. 

“We are committed to keeping our courts open to hear essential and emergency matters throughout this difficult period,” DiFiore said.

The shift to video for essential and emergency proceedings comes after many other court functions have already moved to video conference, including criminal court arraignments and Family Court matters. 

“I want to emphasize that our decision to go to a virtual court model is an extraordinary and temporary measure implemented after several earlier operational iterations and in response to a very fast-moving situation,” DiFiore said. 

“And like all of the decisions we have made, the decision to go virtual was informed by sound data, was based on the expert recommendations of public health authorities and reflected our deep concern for our judges, court officers, staff and court users,” she added.