Case 1:00-mc-00308 Document 98 Filed 03/29/20 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
IN RE: *
VIDEO TELECONFERENCING FOR * MISC. NO. 00-308
CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS UNDER *
CARES ACT *
*
*****
STANDING ORDER 2020-06
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, with the consent of the
defendant after consultation with counsel.
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
Case 1:00-mc-00308 Document 98 Filed 03/29/20 Page 2 of 2
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.
Date: March 29, 2020 /s/ JAMES K. BREDAR
James K. Bredar, Chief Judge
United States District Court
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