When regions of New York began reopening in 2020, and New York State courts began gradually expanding operations and moving toward reopening, NYSDA provided information as it became available. Then, surging numbers of COVID-19 cases reversed the reopening trend. In 2021, courts are again beginning plans to re-open, with new information appearing rapidly. Public defenders may find the resources below helpful; earlier plans remain on this page for comparison purposes. If you have information that is missing below, please forward it to info@nysda.org.

For further Guidance Documents, Administrative Orders, Memos, Press Releases, etc., see the additional pages in the above  "More in this Section" drop-down menu.

Most Recent Administrative Orders and Protocols

Below is a list of the most recent adminitrative orders and court protocols we have available. Older orders and protocols appear below, organized by judicial district.

• Third Judicial District, Sixteenth Amended Adminsitrative Order (June 30, 2021)
• Fourth Judicial District: Current protocol not available.
• Fifth Judicial District, Fourteenth Amended Operational Administrative Order with Updated Operating Protocols (June 28, 2021, effective June 30, 2021)
• Sixth Judicial District, Thirteenth Amended Administrative Order with updated operating protocols (June 29, 2021, effective June 30, 2021)
• Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols (effective June 30, 2021)
• Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols, Town and Village Courts (effective June 30, 2021) 
• Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols (Effective June 30, 2021)
• Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols, Town and Village Courts (Effective June 30, 2021)
• Ninth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols (effective June 30, 2021)
• Nassau County, Updated Operating Protocols for Nassau County Courts (June 30, 2021)
• Suffolk County, Updated Operating Protocols (Effective June 30, 2021)

 

Statewide Information

New York State Unified Court System, Administrative Order 304 - Grand Juries (Term 1) Outside NYC (December 11, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, Town and Village/Justice Courts, Updated Operational Protocols for Town and Village Justice Courts - Information for the Public: COVID-19 Impacts on the Justice Courts (December 9, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, Administrative Order 276 - Grand Juries (November 23, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, Chief Administrative Judge Marks Memo - Revised Pandemic Procedures in the Trial Courts, November 13, 2020

Commission to Reimagine The Future of New York's Courts, Goals and Checklist for Restarting In-Person Grand Juries, Jury Trials and Related Proceedings Report, July 2020

New York State Unified Court System, Self-Assessment and Thermal Temperature Screening of UCS Judges and Non-Judicial Personnel, July 10, 2020

NYS Office of Court Administration, Memorandum - Coronavirus Screening of Courthouse Visitors (June 30, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, Administrative Order 126 Postponed Grand Juries (June 13, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, All Courts Outside NYC Will Have Begun Phase II of Gradual Return to In-Person Operations, Press Release (June 11, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, Town and Village Courts Phased-In Approach for Resumption of In-Person Court Operations (June 3, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, Courts in Five Upstate Judicial Districts to Begin Second Phase of Gradual Return to In-Person Operations, Press Release (June 2, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, Coronavirus Memorandum - Additional Safety and Operational Protocols (May 29, 2020)

Unified Court System, Memorandum to All Judicial and Non-Judicial Personnel re: Coronavirus – Courthouse Procedures (May 15, 2020)

 

New York City 

Supreme Court of the State of New York, Plan for Temporary Reduction of In-Person Operations in Criminal Term, Supreme Court 11th JD (November 25, 2020)

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, Notice to Counsel - Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department Sittings (September-October) 

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Judicial Department, First Department Operations During the Fall Terms - AD 12.0 (August 17, 2020))

"Public Defenders" v. The Office of Court Administration, and Lawrence K. Marks - Civil Action 1:20-cv-5420 (July 14, 2020)

New York State Unified Court System, Grand Juries to Resume Next Month in the City’s Five Boroughs; New York City Courts to Expand In-Person Criminal Proceedings (July 7, 2020)

New York City Family Court, Summary of Phase Three Operations (July 6, 2020)

New York City, Courts in New York City to Begin Second Phase of Gradual Return to In-Person Operations, Press Release (June 23, 2020)

 

Third Judicial District

Third Judicial District, Sixteenth Amended Adminsitrative Order (June 30, 2021)

Third Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Third Judicial District (February 22, 2021)

Third Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts Third District (February 22, 2021)

Third Judicial District, Fourteenth Amended Administrative Order Third Judicial District (December 21, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts Third District (December 9, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Thirteenth Amended Administrative Order Third Judicial District (November 25, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Amended Updated Operating Protocols Third Judicial District with Exhibit A (November 23, 2020) 

Third Judicial District, Twelfth Amended Administrative Order Third Judicial District (October 15, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Eleventh Amended Administrative Order Third Judicial District (August 19, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Tenth Amended Administrative Order Third Judicial District (July 17, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Return to In-Person Operations Plan ("RIOP") Phase III Summary (June 25, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Amended Administrative Order AO/3JD/20/79 (June 18, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Capital District Region Return to In-Person Operations Plan Highlights, Phase 1 (Commencing May 26, 2020)

Third Judicial District, Memo to Town and Village Justices and Court Clerks Regarding Safety Protocols for Re-Opening of Court Facilities (May 22, 2020)

 

Fourth Judicial District

Fourth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts Fourth Judicial District (December 9, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 4th JD (November 23, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 4th JD Exhibit A (November 23, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 4th JD Exhibit B (November 23, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 4th JD FAQs (November 23, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 4th JD Town and Village Courts (November 23, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Omni Form Request for In-Person Proceedings

Fourth Judicial District, Administrative Order 4JD-092-2020 Fourth Judicial District (October 16, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, 4th JD Return to In-Person Operations - Phase 4.1 (August 17, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, 4th JD Town and Village Courts Phase Four Summary (July 1, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, 4th JD Return to In-Person Operations Phase Four (July 1, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, 4th JD Plan for the Return of Jury Service (June 22, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, 4th JD Return to In-Person Operations Phase Three (Draft June 12, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, 4th JD Courtroom Scheduling Chart Phase Three (June 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, 4th JD Return to In-Person Operations Grand Jury Plan (Updated June 15, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Administrative Order 4JD-047-2020 - Administrative Adjournments in Pending Criminal Cases (June 11, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Return to In-Person Operations - Phase II (Updated June 5, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Return to In-Person Operations - Phase II (Updated June 1, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District, Courtroom Scheduling Chart - Phase II (Updated June 1, 2020)

Fourth Judicial District Plan Highlights, Return to In-Person Operations – Phase I , May 20, 2020 (North Country)

Fourth Judicial District Plan Highlights, Return to In-Person Operations – Phase I, May 18 (Mohawk Valley), May 20 (North Country), May 26 (Capitol District)

Fifth Judicial District

Fifth Judicial District, Fourteenth Amended Operational Administrative Order with Updated Operating Protocols (June 28, 2021, effective June 30, 2021)

Fifth Judicial District, Thirteenth Amended Operational Administrative Order Fifth JD (April 26, 2021)

Fifth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 5th JD (April 26, 2021)

Fifth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols (April 26, 2021)

Fifth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 5th JD (February 22, 2021)

Fifth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 5th JD (February 22, 2021)

Fifth Judicial District, Twelfth Amended Operational Administrative Order [No. 5AO2021-09] (February 22, 2021)

Fifth Judicial District, Eleventh Amended Operational 5th Judicial District [5AO2020-118 - Corrected] (December 21, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 5th Judicial District (December 9, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 5th District (December 9, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 5th JD (November 23, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 5th District (November 23, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, District Town and Village Courts Return to In-Person Operations Plan (October 19, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Summary of 5th District Return to In-Person Court Operations Plan (RIPCO) (October 19, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Ninth Amended Operational Administrative Order 5th Judicial District [5AO2020-102] (October 15, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Eighth Amended Operational Administrative Order Fifth Judicial District (August 13, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Jury Trial Procedures 5th District (August 11, 2020)

Fifth Judicial District, Plan to Resume In-Person Court Operations (RIPCO)(Commencing June 3, 2020)

Fourth Amended Operational Administrative Order, Fifth Judicial District (5AO2020-61), Attachment A: 5th Judicial District Return to In-Person Operations Plan Summary (Phase 1) (Commencing May 18, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District

Sixth Judicial District, Thirteenth Amended Administrative Order with updated operating protocols (June 29, 2021, effective June 30, 2021)

Sixth Judicial District, Twelfth Amended Administrative Order 6th JD (April 23, 2021)

Sixth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 6th JD (February 22, 2021)

Sixth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 6th JD (February 22, 2021)

Sixth Judicial District, Eleventh Amended Administrative Order 6th JD (December 21, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 6th JD with Exhibit A (December 9, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 6th JD (December 9, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, 6th JD Grand Juries Administrative Order (November 24, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Tenth Amended Administrative Order 6th JD (November 23, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 6th JD (November 23, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Phase 4.1 Return to In-Person Operation Plan (RIPO) (Commencing October 19, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Town and Village Courts Return to In-Person Operations Updates (Effective October 19, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Ninth Amended Administrative Order Sixth Judicial District (October 14, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, 6th JD Jury Trial Protocols (September 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Eighth Amended Administrative Order Sixth Judicial District (August 13, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Seventh Amended Administrative Order - Implementation of Phase IV Return to In-Person Operations Plan (June 29, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, 6th JD Phase III Return to In-Person Operation Plan (RIPO) (Commencing June 17, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Memorandum to All Judicial and Non-Judicial Staff re: Phase I of the 6th JD Return to in Person Operations (May 13, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Fourth Amended Administrative Order (May 11, 2020)

Sixth Judicial District, Administrative Order Sixth Judicial District (March 20, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols (effective June 30, 2021)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols, Town and Village Courts (effective June 30, 2021) 

Seventh Judicial District, Memo Regarding Recission of Executive Orders (June 24, 2021)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols District 7 (April 26, 2021)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts District 7 (April 26, 2021)

Seventh Judicial District, Twelfth Amended Administrative Order 7th JD (April 23, 2021)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols District 7 (February 22, 2021)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts District 7 (February 22, 2021) 

Seventh Judicial District, Eleventh Amended Administrative Order 7th Judicial District (December 21, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols District 7 (December 9, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts District 7 (December 9, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, 7th JD Grand Juries Administrative Order (November 24, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Tenth Amended Administrative Order 7th JD (November 23, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 7th JD (Effective November 23, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 7th JD Exhibit A 

Seventh Judicial District, Ninth Amended Administrative Order 7th Judicial District (October 14, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Summary, Phase IV Return to In-Person Operations Plan ("RIOP") (Commencing July 1, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Summary, Phase III Return to In-Person Operations Plan (“RIOP”) to Commence June 17, 2020

Seventh Judicial District, Sixth Amended 7th Judicial District Administrative Order (June 4, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Return to In-Person Operations Plan, RIOP, Phase II (Commencing June 3, 2020)

Seventh Judicial District, Fifth Amended Administrative Order, Attachment A: Return to In-Person Operations Plan Highlights, Phase I (May 18, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols (Effective June 30, 2021)

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols, Town and Village Courts (Effective June 30, 2021)

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols District 8 (Effective May 3, 2021)

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts Eighth District (March 29, 2021)

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 8th Judicial District (February 22, 2021)

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 8th District (February 16, 2021)

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 8th Judicial District (December 9, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts Eighth District (December 9, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 8th JD (November 23, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District, Return to In-Person Operations Plan (RIOP) 8th Judicial District (October 19, 2020) 

Eighth Judicial District, Administrative Order of the Chief Administrative Judge AO-2016 (September 15, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District, Notice to the Bar: Phase 4 Return to In-Person Operations (July 6, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District, Notice to the Bar: Phase 3 Return to In-Person Operations (June 22, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District, Notice to the Bar, Eighth Judicial District Phase II Return to In-Person Operations (June 4, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District, Notice to the Bar, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara Counties, Phase I Return to In-Person Operations (May 20, 2020)

Eighth Judicial District, Notice to the Bar, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming Counties (May 15, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District

Ninth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols (effective June 30, 2021)

Ninth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Ninth Judicial District (February 22, 2021)

Ninth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Ninth Judicial District with Exhibit A (December 9, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 9th JD (December 9, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 9th JD (November 23, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols 9th JD Exhibit A (November 23, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 9th JD (November 23, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, Ninth Amended Administrative Order 9th Judicial District (October 19, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, PLAN FOR CENTRALIZED VIRTUAL OFF-HOURS ARRAIGNMENT AO-217 (September 15, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, Eighth Amended Administrative Order (August 14, 2020) 

Ninth Judicial District, Phase 4.1 Return to In-Person Operations Plan (“RIOP”) (August 10, 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, Return to In-Person Operations Plan ("RIOP") Phase III (June 25. 2020)

Ninth Judicial District, Return to In-Person Operations Plan Phase II Highlights (Commencing June 11, 2020)

NYS Unified Court System, Sixth Amended Administrative Order 9th Judicial District (June 9, 2020)

Unified Court System Press Release, Courts in Mid-Hudson Region and Long Island Begin Return to In-Person Courthouse Operations (May 26, 2020)

Tenth Judicial District

Unified Court System Press Release, Courts in Mid-Hudson Region and Long Island Begin Return to In-Person Courthouse Operations (May 26, 2020)

Nassau County

Nassau County, Updated Operating Protocols for Nassau County Courts (June 30, 2021)

New York State Unified Court System, Administrative Order 10th JD - Nassau County (December 1, 2020)

Nassau County, Updated Operating Protocols for Nassau County Courts 10th JD (November 18, 2020)

Nassau County, Return to In-Person Operations for Nassau County - Phase 4.1 (August 14, 2020)

Nassau County, Return to In-Person Operations for Nassau County - Phase 4.1 (August 13, 2020)

Nassau County, Administrative Order 10th Judicial District Return to In-Person Operations Plan - Phase Three (June 23, 2020)

Nassau County Administrative Order, Entering Phase Two (June 10, 2020)

Office of the Administrative Judge, Memorandum, Return to In Person Operations for Nassau County—Phase Two (June 8, 2020)

Suffolk County

Suffolk County, Updated Operating Protocols (Effective June 30, 2021)

Unified Court System Suffolk County Family Court, Suffolk County Updated Protocols Relating to Family Court (November 23, 2020) 

Suffolk County, Updated Operating Protocols 10th JD Suffolk County with Exhibit A (November 23, 2020)

Suffolk County, Updated Operating Protocols Town and Village Courts 10th JD Suffolk County (November 23, 2020)

Suffolk County, Recent Modifications to Suffolk County's Return to In-Person Operations Phase 4.1 (October 19, 2020)

Suffolk County, Amended Suffolk County District Court Attorney Appearance Protocol (September 2, 2020)

Suffolk County, Return to In-Person Operations in the 10th Judicial District, Suffolk County - Phase 4.1 (August 19, 2020)

Suffolk County, Return to In-Person Operations in the 10th Judicial District, Suffolk County - Phase III (June 24, 2020)

Suffolk County, Return to In-Person Operations in the 10th Judicial District, Suffolk County - Phase II (June 10, 2020) -- Includes Phase II Protocols (Updated June 12, 2020); Phase Two Virtual District and County Court Return to ln-Person Operations Protocol (June 8, 2020); Family Court Phase II Protocols (Effective June 12, 2020); Phase 2- Suffolk County Outlying District Courts (June 9, 2020); Phase 2- Suffolk County Town and Village Courts (June 9, 2020)