IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
IN RE: )
PROCEDURES FOR THE FILING, ) STANDING ORDER
SERVICE, AND MANAGEMENT OF ) 2021-01
HIGHLY SENSITIVE DOCUMENTS )
)
In response to recent disclosures of wide-spread breaches of both private sector
and government computer systems, federal courts are immediately adding new security
procedures to protect highly sensitive documents filed with the courts;
Pursuant to Civil Rule 5(d)(3)(A) and Criminal Rule 49(b)(3)(A), good cause
exists to require all parties to file certain highly sensitive documents outside of the
court’s electronic filing system. This order does not alter the standards for determining
whether a document should be sealed; it only provides for more secure storage of
certain sealed documents.
Effective immediately, and until such time as the court orders otherwise, the
following procedures govern the filing of highly sensitive documents.
1. Documents Subject to this Order
a. The following documents are deemed highly sensitive documents
(HSDs): Applications and orders for electronic surveillance under 18
U.S.C. § 2518.
b. The following documents will be deemed HSDs only if specifically
requested by the United States Attorney: Search warrant materials and
cooperator information.
c. The following documents generally are not considered HSDs: Arrest
warrants, presentence reports, pretrial release reports, pleadings related
to cooperation in most criminal cases, social security records,
administrative immigration records, and sealed filings in civil cases.
d. Any dispute as to whether a document is an HSD shall be resolved by the
presiding judge or, when no presiding judge is assigned, the chief judge.
2. Filing of HSDs
a. Authorized HSDs shall be filed in accordance with the clerk’s
administrative procedures for filing HSDs, available on the court’s website
at www.gamd.uscourts.gov.
b. A party seeking HSD status for a document not specified in paragraph
1(a) or (b), shall, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures for
Highly Sensitive Documents, file an appropriate motion with the court.
3. Service of Highly Sensitive Court Orders
If the court determines that a court order contains highly sensitive information,
the clerk’s office will file and maintain the order in a secure paper filing system
and will serve paper copies of the order on the parties via mail.
4. Removal of Existing HSDs or Highly Sensitive Cases from the Court’s
Electronic Filing System
a. Upon motion, filed in accordance with paragraph 2(b), or upon its own
motion, the court may determine that a document, case, or any portion of
it, that has been filed electronically is highly sensitive and direct that the
HSD or case be removed from the court’s electronic filing system and
maintained by the clerk’s office in a secure paper filing system.
This General Order supersedes all inconsistent provisions in existing local rules
or other general orders of this court.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 14th day of January, 2021.
s/ Marc T. Treadwell
Marc T. Treadwell
Chief United States District Judge
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