UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT
IN RE: GENERAL ORDER
COURT OPERATIONS UNDER THE EXIGENT
CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY COVID-19
WHEREAS, the President of the United States has declared a national emergency, and the
Governor of the State of Connecticut has declared a public health emergency throughout the State;
WHEREAS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people to
take precautions in light of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) outbreak, and has noted that the
best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus, through, among other means,
social distancing; AND
WHEREAS, trial jurors often have to work in close quarters to hear the evidence and
deliberate following presentation of the evidence;
THEREFORE
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, effective immediately, that:
1) All civil and criminal (grand and petit) jury selections and jury trials scheduled to
commence now through May 15, 2020 before any district or magistrate judge in any
courthouse in the District of Connecticut (i.e., Richard C. Lee U.S. Courthouse in New
Haven; Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building in Hartford; and Brien McMahon Federal
Building in Bridgeport) are CONTINUED pending further Order of the Court;
2) With regard to criminal trials, due to the Court's reduced ability to obtain an
adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the above public health recommendations
on the availability of counsel and Court staff to be present in the courtroom, the time
period of the continuances implemented by this Standing Order will be excluded under
the Speedy Trial Act, as the Court specifically finds that the ends of justice served by
ordering the continuances outweigh the best interests of the public and each defendant in
a speedy trial, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A).
The District of Connecticut courthouses remain open for all other business. Staff in the
Clerk's Office are available by telephone, mail will be received, and intake desks remain open for
filings. Electronic filings may still be made through the CM/ECF system. The public is
encouraged to continue utilizing Court services while following all applicable public health
guidelines.
SO ORDERED:
Dated: _March 24, 2020____ /s/ Stefan R. Underhill____________
Stefan R. Underhill
Chief United States District Judge
