The NJ Courts are using new technology and creative solutions to ensure an open door to justice. Visit our COVID-19 information page for the latest updates on our court operations. Also view our special publication on the Court’s response to COVID-19. Read Chief Justice Stuart Rabner’s broadcast message to the Judiciary.
Housing and Legal Assistance During COVID-19
All state courthouses are open to the public. Visitors no longer need an appointment or a scheduled matter in order to enter a courthouse. More judges and court staff are working on-site each day. The rest continue to work remotely.
More court matters are being conducted in person, including some jury trials. Judges can schedule an in-person proceeding based on the facts and circumstances in any case.
The courts continue to conduct matters remotely. See the video for tips on preparing for a remote court hearing.
Obtenga ayuda | Mande Èd | 도움을 받으세요 | Pomoc | Obter Ajuda |
الحصول على مساعدة
For more information about COVID-19 coronavirus, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/ or NJ.gov/health or call the 24-hour public hotline at 1-800-222-1222
What to Expect at the Courthouse
Notice - COVID-19 - Requirement to Wear Masks and Maintain Social Distancing in Judiciary Areas of Court Locations
Notice - Court Access - All State Court Locations to Reopen to the Public as of Monday, August 2, 2021; On-Site Staff Presence to Increase to 100% as of September 7, 2021
Notice – Future of Court Operations – Remote and In-Person Proceedings – Publication for Comment – Comments Requested by August 16
Notice - COVID-19 - Continuation of Certain Public Health Precautions in Judiciary Areas of Facilities
Notice - COVID-19 - Next Phase of Court Operations: (1) Continued Increase in On-Site Presence of Judges and Employees; (2) Expanded Capacity for In-Person Court Events; and (3) Continuation of Certain Proceedings Remotely
Notice – COVID-19 – Criminal and Civil Jury Trials – Public Information and Guidance Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s May 11, 2021 Order
Notice and Order - Resumption of Socially Distanced In-Person Grand Jury Sessions - Effective June 15, 2021
Notice and Order – Resumption of Certain In-Person Jury Trials Effective June 15, 2021; Prioritization of Criminal Trials That Involve Detained Defendants
Notice – COVID-19 - Court Operations and Public Access: (1) Increased On-Site Presence in State Court Locations; and (2) Remote and In-Person Access to Virtual and In-Person Court Events
Safety Precautions for Entering Court Buildings (Video)
COVID-19 Guidance for Attorneys and Litigants
Notice - Court Access - All State Court Locations to Reopen to the Public as of Monday, August 2, 2021; On-Site Staff Presence to Increase to 100% as of September 7, 2021
Notice and Order – COVID-19 - Designation of Trial Counsel - Relaxation of Rule 4:25-4
Notice – COVID-19 – Criminal and Civil Jury Trials – Public Information and Guidance Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s May 11, 2021 Order
Virtual Civil Jury Trials During COVID-19
Notice and Order - Resumption of Socially Distanced In-Person Grand Jury Sessions - Effective June 15, 2021
Notice and Order – Resumption of Certain In-Person Jury Trials Effective June 15, 2021; Prioritization of Criminal Trials That Involve Detained Defendants
Notice – COVID-19 - Court Operations and Public Access: (1) Increased On-Site Presence in State Court Locations; and (2) Remote and In-Person Access to Virtual and In-Person Court Events
Notice and Order – COVID-19 – When Matters Can Proceed Remotely
All Covid-19 Notices
Record Expungement
New Jersey expungement laws were recently amended, reducing waiting periods and expanding the types of offenses eligible for expungement. The Judiciary’s new e-Courts expungement system makes the process less complicated, allowing attorneys and self-represented litigants to file petitions for expungement online.
Overview of eCourts Expungement System (Video)
Expunging Your Court Record
How to Get Copies of Court Records
General Expungement Information (Legal Services of New Jersey)
Instructions for Filing for an Expungement Online (Legal Services of New Jersey)
Supreme Court Outlines Action Plan for Equal Justice
Read the Court's Action Plan
Read the Release on the Court's Action Plan
Read the Release and Court's Order on Juvenile Matters
Read the Notice and Court's Order on CLE Requirements
Read the Notice on the Judiciary’s Real-Time Virtual Courses of Elimination of Bias
Read the Release on the Judiciary’s Review for Early Discharge of Rehabilitated Probationers
Landlord Tenant Services and Resources
Notice - Landlord Tenant - Protocols for Cases in Which an Application for Rental Assistance is Pending; Ongoing Community Outreach Efforts
Notice – Landlord Tenant – New Landlord Case Information Statement (LCIS) Available for Immediate Use in Pending Cases
Landlord Tenant – Supreme Court Action: (1) Administrative Determinations on the Report and Recommendations of the Judiciary Special Committee on Landlord Tenant; (2) Establishment of New Residential Landlord Tenant Process as of September 1, 2021; and (3) Amendments to the Rules of Court
Directive #14-21 – Mandatory Settlement Conferences in Residential Landlord Tenant Matters – Required Notice Forms – Implementation of the Supreme Court’s July 1, 2021 Order
Notice and Order – Mandatory Settlement Conferences in Residential Landlord Tenant Matters
Housing and Legal Assistance During COVID-19
Notice and Order – Landlord Tenant – Establishment of Statewide Landlord Tenant Legal Specialist Program
Notice and Order – Landlord Tenant – Resumption of Commercial Landlord Tenant Trials