All federal trials in region postponed due to COVID

Courts affected range from Hudson Valley to Canadian border

All federal trials in the Capital Region will be postponed until March 8 due to the resurgence of COVID -19.

In-person appearances in U.S. District Court in Albany — and across the 32-county Northern District of New York — also have been suspended until Jan. 19, Chief Judge Glenn Suddaby announced.

“Unfortunately, over the past few days we have experienced several exposure events within our courthouses, and we can only expect the number of exposures to increase as we approach the holiday season,” Suddaby said in a letter.

“This is not an action I take lightly but given the forecasts for the coming weeks, it is one I feel is necessary to protect the wellbeing of the public, bar, bench and supporting agencies.”

The Northern District includes the Capital Region, as well as Binghamton, Syracuse, the Hudson Valley and stretches to the Canadian border. Suddaby ’s announcement follows restrictions in the Brooklynbased Eastern District, Buffalobased Western District and Manhattan-based Southern District.

Suddaby said informing the decision was the expected announcement that the Food and Drug Administration will approve one or two vaccines for the deadly coronavirus. He said he is working with other federal chief judges in New York to remind state officials of the importance of the Judiciary and all of its stakeholders when developing an immunization schedule.

“I know we are all growing weary of this COVID -19 adventure, however, we are in a much better position today than

we were in March and relief is on the horizon,” Suddaby said. “Our actions over the next few weeks will have a significant impact on how quickly we are able to return to normal. To this end, I would encourage everyone to familiarize themselves and practice COVID -19 safety protocols both in the office and at home.”

On Monday, the state’s chief judge, Janet Difiore, announced the temporary suspension of personal appearances in court considered nonessential. She said a “small number” of in-person essential and emergency matters will be heard in criminal, family and housing courts.

“By eliminating nonessential in-person appearances and encouraging virtual appearances whenever possible, we will be able to dramatically reduce the number of people coming into our buildings and thereby curtail the person-to-person contact that allows this horrific virus to spread,” Difiore said.

Difiore said administrative judges have the discretion to make decisions tailored to the specific needs of their localities.

Trials in the state have been postponed.