A virtual arraignment at Criminal Court in New York. Photo: New York Unified Court System via AP

Following a series of announcements last week that New York's judicial districts would be moving to virtual services between April 3 and 6, the state's court system announced Monday that "virtual court" has officially been launched statewide.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks said virtual court operations, allowing essential and emergency court proceedings to be conducted remotely, were in effect. The virtual court model, which is being implemented on a temporary basis and was introduced in New York City's Criminal Court and Family Court on March 25 and 26, has been rapidly expanded in response to the fast-growing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our shift to a virtual court system has made it possible for participants in essential and emergency proceedings to appear remotely via Skype, dramatically reducing the number of people in our courthouses to protect public health and safety," said DiFiore in a video message recorded earlier in the day, crediting the swift rollout of virtual court operations covering all 62 counties of New York to the round-the-clock efforts of judges and staff, in particular the court system's technology team.

"As we work, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure continued access to the New York State Courts while prioritizing the health and safety of our judges and staff, court users and the public, we have implemented a series of unprecedented, temporary measures: beginning by placing restrictions on courthouse entry by at-risk persons; subsequently consolidating essential matters in a limited number of designated court parts; to today's statewide transition to virtual court operations, which will eliminate person-to-person contact in court proceedings and minimize courthouse traffic," Marks said.

As of Monday all essential and emergency court matters throughout New York City and in every judicial district outside the city will be heard virtually, with all interactions taking place by video or telephone. All nonessential court functions had already been suspended by administrative order. An amendment to the order allows judges, criminal defendants, civil litigants, attorneys and some court staff to appear by videoconference for essential and emergency court proceedings.

A core group of court clerks and officers continue to staff the virtual courts to process critical paperwork and provide security. "We are deeply grateful to these dedicated court employees who continue to report to work so that our courts can deliver justice at this critical time," DiFiore said.

While proceedings will be open to the public, court security personnel will strictly monitor and may limit access to maintain social distancing in accordance with current public health authorities' guidelines.

As the court system continues to evaluate and adjust its operational plans in response to the pandemic, the chief judge also announced that the New York State Courts are working with the Bar and other justice partners to extend virtual court operations beyond the limited categories of essential and emergency matters.

For more information, visit nycourts.gov.