UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
COVID-19
GENERAL ORDER NO. 20-9
June 26, 2020
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 public
health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the
undersigned Chief Judge for United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
hereby issues this order, which amends COVID-19 General Order No. 20-6 (attached as Exhibit
A to this Order and incorporated herein by reference) to extend certain deadlines addressed
therein as follows.
1. All civil and criminal jury trials are suspended until October 5, 2020 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 obtain an
adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the recommendations of the health
organizations mentioned in Exibit A on the ability of counsel and Court staff to be
present in the courtroom, the time period of the postponements implemented by
this administrative 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 SO ORDERED.
26th day of June, 2020.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this _______
NANNETTE JOLIVETTE BROWN
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
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EXHIBIT A
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
COVID-19
GENERAL ORDER NO. 20-6
April 24, 2020
This order is being issued in continued response to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus
Disease (COVID-19) in the United States, the State of Louisiana and specifically New Orleans,
Louisiana. The World Health Organization has declared that COVID-19 qualifies as a global
pandemic, having spread across more than 190 countries and territories with more than 861,000
confirmed cases in the United States and 25,739 (as of this order) in Louisiana. New Orleans,
where the Eastern District of Louisiana federal courthouse is located, continues to lead the state
with 6,263 coronavirus cases in Orleans Parish.
The President of the United States, Governor of the State of Louisiana, and the Mayor
of the City of New Orleans have declared a public health emergency throughout the country,
State and the City, respectively in response to the spread of COVID-19; and
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health
authorities have recommended social distancing as a means of limiting further community
spread of COVID-19; and
The State of Louisiana has issued a Stay at Home Order directing all Louisiana
residents to shelter at home and limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential
needs;
Accordingly, to combat the spread of the disease, given the severity of risks posed to
the public, Court staff, and other Court agencies, and considering the public health
recommendations from the CDC, the undersigned as Chief Judge of the United States District
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Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana hereby issues the following order, which amends
COVID-19 General Order 20-2 to extend certain deadlines addressed therein:
1. All civil and criminal jury trials currently suspended until May 1, 2020 are hereby
further suspended until August 1, 2020 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 respect to other matters requiring in-person appearances, including bench
trials, hearings, conferences or other proceedings in either civil or criminal matters
between the date of this order and August 1, 2020, counsel must contact the
presiding judge’s chambers to determine whether and how the matter will proceed.
3. For reasons given above and below, all grand jury proceedings in this District are
suspended until August 1, 2020, subject to change upon motion from the
government and further orders of the Court.
4. With regard to criminal matters, due to the Court’s reduced ability to obtain an
adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the recommendations from the above
public health organizations on the ability of counsel and Court staff to be present
in the courtroom, the time period of the postponements implemented by this
administrative 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).
5. All events involving the Court or scheduled to be held in the courthouse that are
not case-specific, including, but not limited to, continuing legal education courses,
public tours, Inns of Court meetings, and naturalization ceremonies conducted by
the Court, which are scheduled to occur between May 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020,
are hereby cancelled and will be rescheduled when appropriate.
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The public is encouraged to use online Court resources for the Court
http://www.laed.uscourts.gov or contact the Court by telephone with any questions. The District
Court Clerk’s Office Intake Unit may be reached at (504) 589-7674 and the Pro Se Unit may be
reached at (504) 589-7751.
This order will remain in effect until further order of the Court.
IT IS ORDERED.
24th day of April, 2020.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this _______
NANNETTE JOLIVETTE BROWN
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
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