COVID-19 and the Courts: How Can I Stay Safe?

December 11, 2020

COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to spread throughout New York State. The courts are still open at this writing, but as of December 7th, 2020 they are hearing only essential cases in person. All other cases are being held virtually.

 

  • In family court essential cases are:
    • child protection intake cases involving removal applications
    • newly filed juvenile delinquency intake cases involving remand placement applications, or modification thereof
    • emergency family offense petitions/temporary orders of protection orders to show cause
    • stipulations on submission
  • In housing matters essential cases are:
    • applications addressing landlord lockouts (including reductions in essential services such as electricity, heat, and water)
    • applications addressing serious code violations
    • applications addressing serious repair orders
    • applications for post-eviction relief (if you have been served with a warrant of eviction and need to have it vacated)
  • Other essential matters include
    • Some Mental Hygiene Law applications
    • Emergency applications which are COVID-related
    • Some criminal matters
    • Applications for temporary orders of protection in Supreme Court
    • Other matters which the judge deems essential
  • If you have an upcoming court date, you should contact the court as soon as possible to find out how to appear virtually. Generally, you can call the court to find out how to do this; their number should be on any letters you received from the court. They may have questions for you, such as whether you have a smartphone or computer that will work for this.
    • If you are in Troy and want to appear virtually, please e-mail them at [email protected]. If possible, e-mail them the day before court and include the type of court (such as landlord-tenant) and the day of your appearance.
    • If you are in Albany and want to appear virtually, please e-mail the court at [email protected]. They will send you back an instruction sheet. If you want to appear virtually and have evidence you want to submit, you need to
      contact the court as soon as possible and no later than two days before your court date.
  • Some courts are postponing all appearances (personal or virtual) for a period of weeks. If you have a court date and are uncertain whether it will be held as scheduled, call the court to find out. If your court date is held as scheduled and you do not appear, you may be held in default.

 

ALL NEW YORK COURTS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED NOT TO HOLD IN PERSON APPEARANCES. IF YOU HAVE A COURT DATE SCHEDULED IN PERSON, YOU SHOULD CALL THE COURT TO FIND OUT HOW TO APPEAR VIRTUALLY. IF YOUR COURT DATE IS IN TROY OR ALBANY CITY COURT, PLEASE E-MAIL THE COURT FOR INSTRUCTIONS.