The NJ civil court system will be shut down beginning today at 8am. The state has declared a budget emergency and all non-essential state services are being shut down. Civil trials are considered non-essential.
The parties were set to do closing statements July 5, 2006. The jurors have all been called and told not to show up. A mistrial may be declared. Most hope things will be back up and running soon or Judge Higbee may have no choice but to declare a mistrial.
Casinos fall under non-essential services since they are regulated by the state and many are hoping the casino lobby will push hard due to the tremendous financial blow they will suffer to get the state to take action and get back to work.
