4:25-go-00006-SLD #1 Filed: 09/05/25 Page 1 of 2
E-FILED
Friday, 05 September, 2025 04:36:08 PM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF THE UNITED STATES
IN RE: )
PROCEDURES FOR THE FILING, )
SERVICE, AND MANAGEMENT OF ) General Order No. 25-GO-06
HIGHLY SENSITIVE DOCUMENTS. )
ORDER
This Order modifies and supersedes General Order 25-05
WHEREAS, the Court seeks to maintain a procedure to protect highly sensitive
documents filed with the Court;
THE COURT FINDS that, pursuant to Civil Rule 5(d)(3)(A) and Criminal Rule
49(b)(3)(A), good cause exists to allow all parties to file certain highly sensitive documents
(HSDs) outside of the court's electronic filing system.
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, effective as of the date of this order, and
until such time as the Court orders otherwise, the filing of certain highly sensitive documents
shall be subject to the procedures and requirements set forth below.
1. Highly Sensitive Documents
a. An HSD is a document or other material that contains sensitive information
that warrants exceptional handling and storage procedures to prevent significant
consequences that could result if such information were obtained or disclosed in
an unauthorized way
Examples of HSDs include: Applications for search warrants, interception of
wire, oral, or electronic communications under 18 U.S.C. § 2518, applications for
pen registers, trap, and trace devices, sealed criminal complaints, sealed
indictments, unexecuted arrest warrants, tax record requests, any matters relating
to grand jury, pretrial services reports and recommendations, presentence
investigation reports and recommendations, violation reports, sentence reduction
documents, sealed petitions for revocation, criminal statement of reasons, sealed
motions to reduce sentence, and sealed plea agreements.
b. If a party believes any other document is highly sensitive, (i.e., trade secrets), a
motion requesting HSD treatment may be filed requesting a hearing without
revealing the nature of the document or attaching the proposed HSD.
4:25-go-00006-SLD #1 Filed: 09/05/25 Page 2 of 2
2. Filing of Authorized HSDs
a. A party filing an HSD shall not submit the document in CM/ECF. HSDs
containing information related to national security, public corruption, cyber
investigations, or otherwise could create an exceptional risk to personal or public
safety, or have national or international repercussions, should be conventionally
(in paper) filed. Other HSD documents may be presented to the Court
conventionally or by secure electronic means. The clerk’s office will make an
informational docket entry in the court’s electronic filing system indicating that
the HSD was filed with the Court. When applicable, the filing party shall serve
the HSD on other parties.
b. A party filing a document which quotes or references the contents of an HSD
shall electronically file the document in the ordinary course, except that the
portions of the document quoting or referencing the HSD shall be redacted. The
party shall file and serve an un-redacted version of the filing.
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 or by secure electronic means and
will serve copies of the order on the parties via mail or by secure electronic means.
4. Removal of Existing HSDs or Highly Sensitive Cases from the Court's
Electronic Filing System
a. The clerk is directed to remove from the Court’s electronic filing system, any
document deemed HSD in an active investigation or active criminal case.
b. Upon motion of a party or upon its own motion, the Court may determine that a
document that has been filed electronically is highly sensitive and direct that the
HSD be removed from the Court's electronic filing system and maintained by the
clerk's office in a secure paper filing system or alternative digital storage system.
Entered this 5th day of September, 2025.
SARA DARROW
UNITED STATES DISTRICT CHIEF JUDGE
