UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
COVID-19
GENERAL ORDER NO. 21-11
August 18, 2021
To combat the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), given the severity of risks
posed to the public, Court staff, and other Court agencies, and considering the recent surge of
COVID-19 cases within the 13 parishes encompassing the Eastern District of Louisiana caused by
the Delta variant, the undersigned as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Louisiana hereby orders as follows:
1. All civil and criminal jury trials are suspended until September 20, 2021 and will be reset
by each presiding judge. Those continuances do not continue any pending deadlines other
than the trial dates. Attorneys should contact the presiding judges in their continued cases
if they seek to modify such other deadlines.
2. With regard to criminal matters, due to the Court’s reduced ability to safely obtain an
adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases on the
ability of counsel and Court staff to be safely present in the courtroom, the time period of
the postponements implemented by this general order will be excluded under the Speedy
Trial Act, as the Court specifically finds that the ends of justice served by ordering the
postponements outweigh the best interest of the public and any defendant’s right to a
speedy trial, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A).
IT IS ORDERED.
18th day of August, 2021.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this _______
NANNETTE JOLIVETTE BROWN
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
