Upstate courthouses will reopen next week, Chief Judge says

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Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. Eagle file photo by Todd Maisel

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. Eagle file photo by Todd Maisel

By David Brand

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore on Wednesday announced a gradual reopening plan for courthouses in Upstate counties that have seen sustained decreases in COVID-19 cases.

Courthouses will reopen in 30 counties across five Judicial Districts starting Monday, May 18, DiFiore said. The counties include Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie. Courthouses in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties will reopen Wednesday, May 20. 

“I look forward to next week’s return of judges and staff to courthouse facilities in many of our upstate counties — marking a major first step in our resumption to in-person court operations,” DiFiore said.

The court system had transitioned to limited operations conducted remotely over the past two months. 

Judges and chambers staff, as well as some clerks and support staff, will resume working at the upstate courthouses next week. New cases may be filed in those counties electronically. 

Judges’ chambers, clerks’ offices and back offices will open first, as the court system continues to promote social distancing orders that limit courthouse traffic 

Other safety measures announced by DiFiore include:

  • Non-employee court visitors will be required to undergo COVID-19 screening before entering the courthouse.

  • All staff who interact with court visitors must wear a mask. 

  • Anyone entering the courthouse will be required to wear a mask, with masks available for those who need one.

  • Courtroom and other areas will be carefully marked to ensure proper physical distancing. 

  • Court facilities will be regularly sanitized.

  • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout the courthouse.

  • Acrylic barriers and other safety features will be installed in courthouse areas as needed.