UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
In Re: AUTHORIZATION TO USE VIDEO GENERAL ORDER
AND TELEPHONE CONFERENCING N0. 20-05
FOR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
PURSUANT TO THE CARES ACT
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has passed legislation authorizing the use
of video and telephone conferencing, under certain circumstances and with the consent of the
defendant, for various criminal case events during the course of the COVID-19 emergency. See The
CARES Act, H.R. 748. The Judicial Conference of the United States has also found that emergency
conditions due to the national emergency declared by the President have affected and will materially
affect the functioning of the federal courts generally.
As Chief Judge, and pursuant to Section 15002(b)(1) of the legislation, I hereby authorize the
use of video conferencing, or telephone conferencing if video conferencing is not reasonably
available, for all events listed in Section 15002(b) of the legislation.
Pursuant to Section 15002(b)(2), I further specifically find that felony pleas under Rule 11 of
the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and felony sentencings under Rule 32 of the Federal Rules
of Criminal Procedure cannot be conducted in person in this district without seriously jeopardizing
public health and safety. As a result, if a judge in an individual case finds, for specific reasons, that
a felony plea or sentencing in that case cannot be further delayed without serious harm to the interests
of justice, the judge may, with the consent of the defendant after consultation with counsel, use video
conferencing, or teleconferencing if video conferencing is not reasonably available, for the felony
plea or sentencing in that case. Judges may also use this authority for equivalent events in juvenile
cases as described in Section 15002(b)(2)(B).
Pursuant to Section 15002(b)(3) of the legislation, this authorization will remain in effect for
90 days unless terminated earlier. If emergency conditions continue to exist 90 days from the entry
of this order, I will review this authorization and determine whether to extend it.
DATED this 30th day of March, 2020.
ENTERED
VANESSA L ARMSTRONG, CLERK
Mar 30, 2020
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
