On May 18, 2020, the New York State Court system resumed limited in-person court operations in the 23 counties making up the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier regions and, later this week, will do so in the 12 counties of the North Country and Central New York. It has not yet been announced when this will extend to Western New York but it is a positive sign that the entry into phase 1 reopening was followed shortly thereafter by the easing of courthouse restrictions.  

As a result of this decision, judges and their personal staff, as well as designated court personnel, are returning to their assigned courthouses in these counties, and new case filings are being accepted electronically in those regions. The Court stressed that virtual technology will still be used to conduct as much court business as possible, and various safety measures have been put in place to protect all involved in the court system.