How Video Court Hearings Work at Mid‑State (and Why Your Loved One Might Not Be Transported)
Expecting your loved one to be transported for court, but it didn't happen? Videoconferencing is usually why. New Jersey's Department of Corrections uses video court for many proceedings, so the person stays at the facility instead of traveling to a courthouse.
Videoconferencing - often called VTC - lets NJDOC conduct certain criminal-justice proceedings by video instead of physically moving someone out of the facility. Court hearings, parole hearings, and similar proceedings can all happen while your loved one stays at Mid‑State rather than being transported to a courthouse.
NJDOC’s stated goal with this program is straightforward: fewer transports. They say using videoconferencing has reduced departmental costs and enhanced public safety, while also helping proceedings move faster.
Remote appearances are common for preliminary court activities, parole hearings, and deportation hearings. If you hear "they're doing it by video," the hearing is still happening - your loved one just isn't leaving the facility for it.
Contact Videoconf Program
- ✓ NJDOC Videoconferencing Program (Office of Information Technology), New Jersey Department of Corrections, P.O. Box 863, Trenton, NJ 08625
- ✓ Phone: 609-826-5642
- ✓ Fax: 609-984-8284
- ✓ Operational times for requests: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
- ✓ Timing guideline: videoconferences should start no later than one hour before the facility’s closing time whenever possible
Want to know if an appearance is scheduled by video, or why transport didn't happen? Contact the NJDOC Videoconferencing Program through the Office of Information Technology - that's the official point of contact for these questions.
- Confirm the appearance type with the court - Call the court (or county clerk) handling the case and ask whether the hearing is set for a video appearance or an in-person transport.
- Follow up with NJDOC’s Videoconferencing Program - If you’re still getting mixed answers, contact the NJDOC Videoconferencing Program (Office of Information Technology) to clarify whether VTC was used for that proceeding and what may have affected scheduling.
Timing note: VTC requests are handled Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Videoconferences should start at least one hour before the facility's closing time whenever possible.
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