In-Person Criminal Trials Will Resume June 15, 2021

Effective June 15, 2021, the New Jersey Supreme Court has authorized the resumption of in-person criminal jury trials and some in-person civil trials. In-person trials will be conducted with health and safety precautions, including social distancing and with the requirement that participants wear face masks except in limited circumstances when other health protections are in place.

Criminal trials will be given priority, with cases involving detained defendants approaching the end of excludable time receiving the highest priority. In addition to authorizing in-person trials, the Court has ordered the end to calculating pre-indictment and post-indictment excludable time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after June 15, 2021. As some pretrial detainees have remained in pretrial detention for more than a year while excludable time has accrued due to the pandemic, this is significant as it may result in the pretrial release of individuals awaiting trial.

Jury Selection, Service, & Safety Precautions

Although all criminal trials will be held in person, a blended format will be used to impanel jurors. Jury selection will begin in a virtual format. After virtual questioning and for cause excusals, remaining jurors will report to the courthouse for final jury selection where in-person socially distanced trials will be conducted in courthouses through the state. The courts will monitor and adapt health and safety protocols related to the resumption of in-person trials during the ongoing pandemic.

Impact of Resuming In-Person Criminal Trials

The resumption of in-person criminal trials is greatly anticipated to get the criminal justice system back on track. As of March 2020, more than 2,500 indicted persons are detained in New Jersey jails awaiting trial. The renewed summoning of jurors paves the way for the resumption of criminal in-person jury trials throughout New Jersey. 

Contact a New Jersey Lawyer for Help

If you or someone you know has questions about a New Jersey criminal matter, jury trials, or DUI, contact us for help. The attorneys at Rosenberg Perry & Associates are criminal trial attorneys with extensive litigation and trial experience. We’ve got your back, that’s what we do.