UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL ORDER 23-2
JANUARY 28, 2023
IN RE: CORONAVIRUS PUBLIC EMERGENCY
FOURTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL ORDER CONCERNING VIDEO AND
TELEPHONE CONFERENCING FOR FELONY PLEAS AND SENTENCING
SAYLOR, C.J.
Based on the finding of the Judicial Conference of the United States that emergency
conditions due to the national emergency declared by the President under the National
Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) will materially affect the functioning of the federal courts generally, and pursuant to
the CARES Act, Pub. L. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281, as Chief Judge of the United States District Court
for the District of Massachusetts, upon motion duly made and granted, I hereby 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 the
District of Massachusetts without seriously jeopardizing public health and safety.
1. Finding of District Judge Required. If the district judge in a particular case finds for
specific reasons that the plea or sentencing in that case cannot be further delayed without
serious harm to the interests of justice, the plea or sentencing in that case may be conducted
by video teleconferencing, or telephone conferencing if video teleconferencing is not
reasonably available.
2. Consent of Defendant Required. Such videoconferencing or telephone conferencing may
only take place with the consent of the defendant, or the juvenile, after consultation with
counsel.
3. Duration of Authorization. This authorization shall continue for 30 days from January
28, 2023, the effective date of this Order or the date that the emergency authority has been
terminated by act of the President or the Judicial Conference of the United States,
whichever is earlier, unless extended pursuant to law. If emergency conditions continue to
exist 30 days from the date of this Order, I will review this authorization and determine
whether to extend it.
So Ordered.
/s/ F. Dennis Saylor IV
F. Dennis Saylor IV
Dated: January 28, 2023 Chief Judge, United States District Court
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