UNITED DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO ZOZZ ~PR 27 PM 2: 33
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In Re: Appointment of Counsel for \OUT HERN D!ST. OHIO
Compassionate Release Motions
>:.AST. DIV. COLUMBUS
ORDER RESCINDING GENERAL ORDER 22-13
GENERAL ORDER 20-21
On July 21, 2020, this Court enacted General Order 20-21, "Appointment of Counsel for
Compassionate Release Motions." The Order designated the Office of the Federal Public Defender
and members of the Criminal Justice Act Panel to represent indigent criminal defendants seeking
compassionate release. This Court amended General Order 20-21 on September 8, 2020, to specify
a timeline for supplementing and responding to compassionate release motions.
Now that COVID-19 vaccinations are widely available, including in the Bureau of Prisons,
the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has narrowed the circumstances in which COVID-19 may
constitute an "extraordinary and compelling reason" for purposes of compassionate release. See,
e.g., United States v. McKinnie, 24 F.4th 583, 588 (6th Cir. 2022); United States v. Traylor, 16
F.4th 485,487 (6th Cir. 2021); United States v. Lemons, 15 F.4th 747, 751 (6th Cir. 2021).
As a result, this Court determines that automatic appointment of counsel for compassionate
release motions no longer is warranted. General Order 20-21 is rescinded, including the
amendment thereto. As before, incarcerated defendants are free to file pro se motions for
compassionate release or to engage private counsel. The government's timeline for responding to
such motions shall revert to the default under the Local Rules unless the individual judge modifies
that schedule.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: April 27, 2022
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
