As the state judiciary resumes proceedings in jury trials interrupted by COVID-19, the startup of any new jury trials still appears a long way off.

June 22 marked the first day of phase 2 of the state judiciary's post-pandemic plan. Phase 2, also known as the gradual and limited return phase, calls for 10% to 15% of judges and staff to begin working in their courthouses, and for on-site proceedings to resume for certain matters that cannot be conducted online. During phase 2, state courthouses are open only to attorneys, litigants and members of the public with scheduled proceedings or appointments.

Also as of June 22, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner approved the resumption of proceedings in the matter of State v. Barksdale, a criminal trial in Ocean County that had been underway for three weeks before the pandemic forced its shutdown. Rabner has also approved the restart of two other trials brought to a halt by the pandemic, both in Bergen County—a civil case, Dranon v. Wells Fargo, for June 29, and State v. Rente, a criminal case, for July 13.