Developments about the Coronavirus (Covid-19) have taken priority throughout the country and especially in Westchester County, NY with Governor Cuomo taking action in the City of New Rochelle and coordinating a response with the neighboring States of Connecticut and New Jersey.
The following notice has been posted on the NYS court website and inside buildings.
Our family at Riebling & Payton, PLLC, believe it's important for individuals and families to have up to date and accurate information about how the legal process has been affected, so that they may make decisions that will protect the health, safety and rights of themselves, their families and their neighbors.
On March 15, 2020, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks published a Memorandum updating the operational protocols for the trial courts in New York State.
The full text of the Memorandum may be found here: https://www.nycourts.gov/whatsnew/pdf/Updated-Protocol-AttachmentA3.pdf
The Protocols include:
- Effective 5 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020, all non- essential functions of the courts are postponed until further notice. All essential functions will continue, as described below.
- Pending Trials:
Pending criminal and civil trials will continue to conclusion. No other criminal or civil trials shall commence until further notice.
- Special Parts:
Outside of New York City (including Westchester County), special court parts will be established in individual jurisdictions (the list of Westchester County jurisdictions are below) where essential matters will be consolidated; inside New York City, courthouses will remain open to handle essential matters.
- Criminal & Family Court Matters (Superior & Lower Courts):
- Essential applications as the court may allow.
- Effective Monday, March 16, felony matters wherein the defendant is not in custody shall be administratively adjourned until further notice.
- Felony matters in which defendants are in custody will either be administratively adjourned or be conducted remotely by video in New York City and in jurisdictions outside of New York City that have the technology available to do so.
- Arraignments, and essential applications as the court may allow, e.g., applications for orders of protection. Arraignments shall be conducted through video remote appearances in New York City and to the fullest extent possible throughout the State.
- In New York City, the Red Hook Community Court and the Midtown Community Court have been designated as arraignment sites where persons believed to be at medical risk related to the coronavirus will appear remotely by video.
- Essential matters as the court may allow, e.g., issues related to child protection proceedings, juvenile delinquency proceedings, family offenses, and support orders.
- Please note that, in addressing essential applications, judges will exercise judicial discretion in a manner designed to minimize court appearance and traffic in the courts.
Dedicated 800 Number:
The Court System will be establishing an emergency telephone number, available 24/7, for all questions from the public relating to court operations during the coronavirus public health emergency.
Special Court Part Locations in Westchester County and Surrounding Areas:
- Westchester County Court - 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains
- Mount Vernon City Court
- New Rochelle City Court
- Peekskill City Court
- Rye City Court
- White Plains City Court
- Yonkers City Court
- Dutchess County Court - 50 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY
- Beacon City Court
- Poughkeepsie City Court
- Orange County Court - 285 Main Street, Goshen, NY
- Middletown City Court
- Newburgh City Court
- Port Jervis City Court
- Putnam County Court - 20 County Center, Carmel NY
- Rockland County Court - 1 South Main Street New City, NY
It is important to note that even though the New York Criminal, Family and Civil Courts are taking actions to limit the traffic in the courthouses, those courts are still functioning. Anyone involved in a criminal case, family law case or civil matter must remain informed about how the courts will be operating now and in the future in order to protect themselves and their rights.
Call us at (914) 712-6878 for a Free Consultation
Stephen J. Riebling, Jr. is a criminal defense attorney and partner with Riebling & Payton, PLLC, located in Westchester County, NY and has been practicing for more than 23 years. To learn more about Mr. Riebling and the firm, visit Riebling & Payton, PLLC at www.WestchesterDefenseAttorney.com.