Source: New Jersey Federal Practice Alert
As part of the District of New Jersey’s continuing response to the ongoing public health emergency, on May 22, 2020, Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson of the District of New Jersey issued Standing Order 20-12, which addresses Court procedures over the next several months. The Standing Order includes the following key provisions:
- All jury selections and jury trials for civil and criminal trials scheduled to begin before August 31 have been continued, and no further jury trials may be scheduled before that date.
- For criminal trials, the period between March 16 and August 31 shall now be “excluded time” under the Speedy Trial Act. That period of time shall also be “excluded time” for criminal matters not yet set for trial.
- The previous 45-day extension of filing and discovery deadlines falling between March 25 and April 30 and 30-day extension of filing and discovery deadlines falling between May 1 and May 31 remain in effect, but no further deadlines (e.g., June deadlines) are being extended by Standing Order at this time. However, individual judges continue to be afforded discretion for filing or scheduling adjustments necessitated by reasonable and fact-based travel, health or safety concerns, or advice or directives of public health officials.
- No statutes of limitations are tolled by the Standing Order.
- Any litigant can seek relief from the Standing Order due to exigent circumstances.
A full copy of Standing Order 20-12 is available at the following link: