Chief Judge Janet DiFiore appears for a virtual program honoring Law Day on May 1, 2020.

As the state continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, New York's Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks announced Thursday that courts in the Third (Capital) and Ninth (White Plains) judicial districts are the latest to begin the third phase of a return to in-person operations. Long Island courts were scheduled to immediately follow on Friday.

Courts in New York's Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Judicial Districts entered Phase Three last week, with the Fourth Judicial District starting Phase Three this past Monday, June 22. As of Friday, June 26, all courts outside New York City will have entered the third phase.

Phase Three goals include increasing foot traffic in courthouses in a measured manner, extending in-person proceedings to include child support, selected plea and sentencing proceedings, preliminary hearings for felonies or defendants in jail, arraignments for desk appearances and essential family court matters.

Virtual proceedings will continue to be held when legally and logistically possible. Incarcerated individual shall appear virtually via electronic means unless otherwise ordered by the assigned judge. Non-essential matters, criminal proceedings (except as noted), mediations, juvenile delinquency proceedings and mental hygiene law proceedings pertaining to a hospitalized adult will also continue to be held virtually and heard by the assigned judge.

Judges and clerks will coordinate to ensure that court space is used to optimize safety and efficiency. There will be staggered scheduling of court appearances, court calendars and courtroom usage to limit the number of people in courthouses and ensure that no more than half of the courtrooms are being used at any given time.

During Phase Three, non-judicial staffing levels will increase modestly to support necessary administrative court functions and support increased foot traffic. Non-reporting court staff will continue to work virtually.

Masks are still required for all staff and visitors entering the courthouses. Areas will include signs and barriers to ensure physical distancing, and court facilities will be sanitized regularly.

"To keep up our progress as we re-establish in-person courthouse operations across the state, we must proceed cautiously, remaining vigilant in following the new safety measures and operational protocols designed to protect the health of our judges, staff and court visitors," said DiFiore.

For more information, visit  www.nycourts.gov/courthelp.