IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
In Re: :
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COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY : STANDING ORDER 2020-01
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STANDING ORDER
The Court enters this standing order to address continued court operations in light of the
COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The Court observes that the President of the United States
has declared a National Emergency throughout the nation in response to the spread of the
coronavirus; the Governor of the State of Georgia has declared a public health emergency
throughout the state in response to the spread of the coronavirus; the World Health Organization
has declared coronavirus a pandemic; and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and
other public health authorities have advised the taking of precautions to reduce the possibility of
exposure to the virus and slow the spread of the disease.
In order to protect public health, including the health of court employees, parties, and
court participants, the Court finds it necessary to adjust its operating procedures. To reduce the
size of public gatherings, minimize travel, and maximize social distancing, the United States
District Court for the Middle District of Georgia hereby orders that it shall remain open for
business with the following adjustments to its normal operations:
1. Persons falling into one of the following categories shall be denied admittance into
any division courthouse in the Middle District of Georgia without obtaining an
exception from the Chief Judge:
a. Anyone who has been to or been in close contact with anyone who has been to
one of the designated Level 3 countries within the 14 days immediately preceding
attempted access to the courthouse, which countries presently include China, Iran,
South Korea, and all European countries;
b. Anyone who has been on a cruise within the 14 days immediately preceding
attempted access to the courthouse;
c. Anyone who has been asked to self-quarantine by any healthcare provider or who
lives with someone who has been asked to self-quarantine;
d. Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus) or has had contact
with anyone who has been so diagnosed.
2. Effective immediately, no jury trials shall be held in the Middle District of Georgia
for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of this Order. With regard to criminal
cases, the Court finds that the right of defendants in criminal cases and the public to a
speedier trial during the next 60 days is substantially outweighed by the public interest
of protecting the health and safety of the defendants, case participants, court
employees, jurors, and the public, which can only be protected by this 60 day
moratorium on jury trials. The ends of justice require this continuance. Accordingly,
the time period of the continuance, March 17, 2020 to May 16, 2020, shall be
excluded under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. §3161(h)(7)(A). Although this order
shall have the effect of canceling and continuing all jury trials during this 60 day
period, any defendant in a criminal case shall have the right to file a motion for a
speedier trial, which shall be considered and decided by the judge assigned to the
defendant’s case.
To avoid confusion, the Court emphasizes that the following activities shall not be
affected by today’s order:
1. Criminal matters before Magistrate Judges, such as initial appearances,
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arraignments, detention hearings, the issuance of search warrants, and traffic court
shall continue to take place in the ordinary course.
2. Grand juries shall continue to meet.
3. Individual judges will continue to hold hearings, conferences, and bench trials,
unless ordered otherwise by the presiding judge.
4. The Clerk’s Office and the United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office
shall remain open.
SO ORDERED, this 16th day of March, 2020.
S/Clay D. Land
CLAY D. LAND
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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