Case 1:24-mc-00004 Document 12 Filed 06/21/24 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
IN RE: )
GENERAL ORDER REGARDING THE ) 24-MC-00004-12
FILING OF HIGHLY SENSITIVE )
DOCUMENTS )
)
GENERAL ORDER SUPERSEDING 21-MC-00004-06
WHEREAS, federal courts are updating their security procedures to uniformly protect
highly sensitive documents (HSDs), a narrow subset of sealed documents that must, for their
protection, be stored outside the court’s electronic systems;
THE COURT FINDS that good cause exists to permit nonelectronic filing under Civil
Rule 5(d)(3)(A) and Criminal Rule 49(b)(3)(A), and to adopt revised HSD guidance.
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, effective as of the date of this order
and until such time as the court orders otherwise, HSDs will be filed and served in paper form, in
accordance with this Order and the Administrative Procedures Manual and will be maintained by
the clerk’s office in a secure paper filing system. This General Order supersedes any and all prior
court orders regarding HSDs (namely 21-MC-00004-06), and any and all inconsistent provisions
in existing local rules or other general orders of this court.
1. Documents and Materials Subject to this Order
a. This order applies to a document or other material that contains sensitive, but
unclassified, information that warrants exceptional handling and storage
procedures to prevent significant consequences that could result if such information
were obtained or disclosed in an unauthorized manner. Although frequently related
to law enforcement materials, especially sensitive information in a civil case could
also qualify for HSD treatment. Additionally, the presiding judge may further
identify documents or other material they consider to be HSDs. Please review the
presiding judge’s Chambers Procedures page for any such information, which can
be found on the court’s web site.
b. Any party seeking to file an HSD must, before such filing, seek leave of court for
such filing in the manner provided in the Administrative Procedures Manual.
c. The Administrative Procedures Manual contains procedures for filing motions to
designate a document as an HSD, transmitting HSDs to the Clerk’s Office, and for
service of such filings.
Case 1:24-mc-00004 Document 12 Filed 06/21/24 Page 2 of 2
d. Any dispute as to whether a document is an HSD shall be resolved by the presiding
judge or the chief judge when no presiding judge is assigned.
e. Once a document or series of documents has been designated as HSD, a copy of
the order granting HSD designation must be included with each document filed as
an HSD.
2. Removal of Existing HSDs or Highly Sensitive Cases from the Court’s Electronic
Filing System
a. Upon motion of a party or upon its own motion, the court may determine that a
document, case, or any portion of it, that has been filed electronically is highly
sensitive and direct that the HSD or case be removed from the court’s electronic
filing system and maintained by the Clerk’s Office in a secure paper filing system.
b. A party’s motion to remove an HSD or highly sensitive case from the court’s
electronic filing system shall explain why such document or case is highly sensitive
under the criteria set out in paragraph 1(a) above or why it should otherwise be
subject to the heightened protection for HSDs.
3. Questions about HSD Filing Procedures
Any questions about how an HSD should be filed with the court pursuant to this General
Order should be directed to the Clerk’s Office at (505) 348-2075.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 21st day of June, 2024.
FOR THE COURT, PURSUANT TO ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER MISC. NO. 83-252:
/s/
William P. Johnson
Chief United States District Judge
District of New Mexico
2
Notices
1:24-mc-00004 Administrative Orders
U.S. District Court
United States District Court - District of New Mexico
Notice of Electronic Filing
The following transaction was entered on 6/21/2024 at 11:55 AM MDT and filed on 6/21/2024
Case Name: Administrative Orders
Case Number: 1:24-mc-00004
Filer:
Document Number: 12
Docket Text:
GENERAL ORDER SUPERSEDING 21-MC-00004-06: Regarding the Filing of Highly Sensitive
Documents (cg)
1:24-mc-00004 Notice has been electronically mailed to:
1:24-mc-00004 Notice has been delivered by fax to:
1:24-mc-00004 Notice has been delivered by USPS to:
The following document(s) are associated with this transaction:
Document description:Main Document
Original filename:n/a
Electronic document Stamp:
[STAMP dcecfStamp_ID=1167529506 [Date=6/21/2024] [FileNumber=13150076-
0] [7a6387a8bb688686280564eb501d1175e7df9a59f81c9c8ddd40aa4d11c0238abd
06984d424d1283ba3e3cc368ccaa198c2ad87a8df6dba5308d64690c46428f]]
