COVID-19 Resource Center
COVID-19 Resource Center
In Person Superior Court Trials to Resume June 15, 2021
The Supreme Court has authorized the resumption of in-person criminal jury trials, and some in-person civil jury trials, effective on or after June 15, 2021. Criminal jury trials will be conducted in person and will be the priority, with cases that involve detained defendants continuing to receive the highest priority. Most civil jury trials at present will continue to be conducted in a virtual format. The Court’s May 11, 2021 Order is attached.
The Court’s authorization to resume in-person jury trials is based on improved COVID-19 trends throughout New Jersey. In-person jury trials will be conducted with necessary health precautions, including social distancing and the requirement that participants wear face masks except in limited circumstances when other health protections are in place. As announced in this May 6, 2021 notice, up to 50% of judges and state court employees will be present in state court locations as of June 15, 2021. Those on-site judges and state court employees will support upcoming in-person jury trials and other court events.
The Court in a separate May 11, 2021 Order also has authorized the resumption of in-person grand jury sessions, which must be conducted with necessary health precautions.
Questions about this notice may be directed to the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000
/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.
Acting Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: May 11, 2021
Governor Murphy COVID-19 Information Page
https://covid19.nj.gov/ (includes information regarding job opportunities in the State)
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS INFECTION CALCULATOR
Last week the New Jersey Department of Corrections created a new web page dedicated to counting the number of inmates and employees that have been infected with COVID-19. According to the website, there is no policy to test either inmates or employees. Based upon news reports, unless an inmate or employee is either hospitalized and self reports, there is no other data for the true infection rate in the New Jersey State Prison System.
https://www.state.nj.us/corrections/pages/COVID19Updates.shtml
CERTAIN COUNTY JAIL INMATES RELEASED
On March 22, 2020, the New Jersey Supreme Court entered an Order to Show Cause releasing certain individuals from all New Jersey County Jails. Most of these individuals are those that have been sentenced either by the Superior or Municipal Courts to jail sentences of less than 364 days. Pursuant to the Order, these sentences are technically “paused” until such time as these individuals’ cases are re-evaluated at a later time to determine if they should be remanded to complete the balance of their sentences.
CERTAIN STATE PRISON INMATES RELEASED
On April 10, 2020, New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy issued an Order to the NJ Department of Corrections to compile lists of certain individuals that should be released per the COVID-19 decaled state of emergency. The Order would in theory, release certain inmates that have certain risks of complications and death if infected. These risks include health and age. The Order further requests that the DOC release inmates who were previously scheduled to be paroled within the next 90-days and for the Parole Board to reassess recent parole denial decisions.
TOLLING OF SPEEDY TRIAL
“In the calculation of the time period for the return of an indictment for an eligible defendant detained in the county jail, the period from March 17 through March 29, 2020, shall be excluded due to exceptional circumstances, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:162-22(b)(1)(f), and on account of good cause for the delay, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:162-22(b)(1)(l), namely, grand jury unavailability, which period shall be attributable to the court.”
Order – Extension of COVID-19- Related Suspensions of Court Proceedings and Other Matters
(1) JURIES
a. No new civil or criminal jury trials will be conducted until further
notice, as previously provided by notices dated March 12 and March
15, 2020;
b. Suspension of grand jury empanelment dates and sessions as set
forth in the March 17, 2020 Order is extended as follows:
1. All grand jury empanelment dates including for State Grand
Jury are postponed, and new notices will be issued
rescheduling grand jury selection for a date after April 26,
2020;
n. All current grand jury sessions including for State Grand Jury
are cancelled through April 26, 2020; and
(2) CRIMINAL
a. Based on the continued suspension of jury trials and grand jury
sessions, the provisions of the March 19, 2020 Order regarding
excludable time are extended as follows:
1. In the computation of the time limits for the commencement
of a prosecution for an indictable offense under N.J.S.A.
2C:1-6(b), the additional period starting March 30 through
April 26, 2020, shall be tolled;
11. In the calculation of the time period for the return of an
indictment for an eligible defendant detained in the county
jail, the additional period from March 30 through April 26,
2020, shall be excluded due to exceptional circumstances,
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:162-22(b)(l)(f), and on account of
good cause for the delay, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:162
22(b)(l)(l), namely, grand jury unavailability, which period
shall be attributable to the court;
111. In the calculation of the time period for the commencement
of trial for an eligible defendant detained in the county jail,
the additional period from March 30 through April 26, 2020,
shall be excluded due to exceptional circumstances, pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 2A:162-22(b)(l)(f), and on account of good cause
for the delay, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:162-22(b)(l)(l),
namely, the statewide postponement of jury trials, which
period shall be attributable to the court;
Those excludable time provisions are not intended to prevent
the parties from making every effort to continue to resolve
cases prior to indictment and trial, and courts will conduct
proceedings by video or phone, as appropriate; and
…
(7) ALL COURTS
a. To the extent practicable through April 26, 2020, depositions should
be conducted remotely using necessary and available video
technology, and in those circumstances court reporters may
administer and accept oaths remotely;
b. To the extent practicable, all court matters including hearings,
conferences, and arguments, will be conducted by video or phone
conferencing, and in-person appearances will be permitted only in
emergency situations;
c. As provided in the March 25, 2020 Order, which remains in full
force and effect, all depositions and appearances for any doctors,
nurses, or healthcare professionals involved in responding to the
COVID-19 public health emergency are suspended through April
26, 2020, except for appearances and depositions (i) that are
requested by the doctor, nurse, or healthcare professional; or (ii) that
are for matters related to COVID-19;
d. In the computation of time periods . under the Rules of Court and
under any statute of limitations for matters in all courts, for purposes
of filing deadlines, the additional period from March 28 through
April 26, 2020 shall be deemed the same as a legal holiday,
ORDER -EXTENDING USE OF ZOOM & PHONE APPEARANCES IN THE COURTS
The Order reinforces that most court events that can be conducted using video or phone options will proceed, even over the objection of an attorney or party. However, the following court matters will proceed remotely only with the consent of all parties: (a) sentencing hearings in Criminal, Family, and Municipal matters; (b) juvenile delinquency adjudications; (c) evidentiary hearings and bench trials in Criminal matters; (d) evidentiary hearings and trials in Municipal matters that involve a reasonable likelihood of a jail sentence or loss or suspension of license; (e) termination of parental rights trials; and (f) hearings for an adjudication of incapacity and appointment of a permanent guardian. The Court's Order comports with current practice and supports the continuity of routine as well as emergent court functions during the COVID-19 crisis.
https://njcourts.gov/notices/2020/n200420a.pdf?c=oPe
COVID-19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Over the past several weeks, federal and state agencies have recognized the enormous impacts the COVID-19 outbreak will continue to have on businesses across the nation. In response, they have introduced a range of programs designed to alleviate some of the most severe financial burdens presented by this unprecedented crisis. For your convenience, we have compiled relevant information on the pertinent federal and state programs available to businesses.
Federal Resources
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Passed by Congress on March 27th, the CARES Act provides funding for several programs aimed at assisting small businesses that are outlined below.
Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan (EIDL) Program
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.
Available statewide to small businesses and private, nonprofit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This will apply to current and future disaster assistance declarations related to Coronavirus.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
The SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive all or part of loans made to qualified applicants if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.
SBA Debt Relief
The SBA Debt Relief program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis.
Under this program:
The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
The SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.
SBA Express Bridge Loan Program
The Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.
Terms:
Up to $25,000
Fast turnaround
Will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan
SBA Local Assistance
The SBA is also offering counseling to small businesses to learn more about applicable programs and additional local programs.
New Jersey Resources
State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 FAQ for Businesses provides information on specific programs available to businesses in New Jersey during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Businesses interested in learning more about their specific eligibility for state programs can use New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Emergency Assistance Eligibility Wizard. This screening tool lists emergency assistance programs that you may decide to consider based upon information you provide about your organization.
The tool screens for eligibility for the following state emergency support programs:
New Jersey’s Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program will provide up to $5,000 to NJ-based small and medium sized businesses and non-profits (collectively “SMEs) that have between 1–10 full time equivalent employees (“FTE”). The grant funding is targeted as unrestricted payroll and working capital support, and cannot be used for any capital expenses, including construction.
The Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan program is designed to provide a direct loan of up to $100,000 to NJ-based small businesses and non-profits organizations that have been in existence for at least one-year and has less than $5 million in annual revenue.
The Small Business Emergency Assistance Guarantee Program is New Jersey’s $10 million pilot program that makes available one-year first loss guarantees of permanent working capital loans and lines of credit originated by Premier Lender banks. These loans must be made to cover operating expenses for New Jersey small businesses and non-profit organizations that have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Bergen County’s COVID-19 landing page contains specific information on the County’s ongoing response to the crisis, testing updates, and important resources for businesses and residents.