UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT
IN RE: GENERAL ORDER
COURT OPERATIONS UNDER THE EXIGENT
CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY COVID-19
VlHEREAS, 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 Prevcmion 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, the District Court continues to review its operations to identify measures
that will help slow the spread of the virus by minimizing contact between persons, while at the
same time preserving its core mission of serving the public through the fair and impaiiial
administration of justice:
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, effective immediately, that:
(l) All criminal jury trials (and related jury selections) scheduled to commence prior to
November 2, 2020, before any district or magistrate judge in any courthouse in the
D.istrict of Connecticut, shall be continued pending further order of the Court. Judges
may schedule criminal jury selections and trials to begin on or after November 2,
20'.W in the hope that circumstances may permit them to proceed safely. In light of
the large backlog of trial~ready cases, the lengthy periods of detention experienced by
some defendants, and public health guidance about the need to avoid lengthy
exposure to other persons in indoor spaces, priority will be given to sboti trials
involving defendants who have been detained the longest;
(2) Due to: the public health risks associated with summoning large groups of
prospective jurors who would be required to sit in close proximity to each other
during jury selection and, if selected, during trial and deliberations; the CoUti's
reduced ability to obtain an adequate spectrum of prospective jurors due to the
public's perceptions of the risks associated with jury service; 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 coniinuances effectuated by
paragraph 1 of this General Order will be excluded under the Speedy Trial Act. 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); and
(3) Because they require fewer jurors and fewer persons in the courtroom (e.g .. U.S.
Marshals), judges may, after considering both the interests of justice and the risks to
public health in particular cases, conduct civil jury selections and trials beginning
September L 2020. Priority will be given to sho1t civil trials. which may involve the
use of safety measures being developed by the Court to protect jurors, litigants,
counsel, Court staff~ and the public. Counsel who ·wish to propose a particular case
for trial should file a joint motion for trial with the presiding judge.
SO ORDERED:
s/Stefan R. Underhill
Dated: 7/ltf/202iJ
Bridgeport, CT
Chief United States District Judge
