existing, felony pleas under Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 and felony sentencings under Fed. R. Crim
P. 32 could not in every instance be conducted in person without seriously jeopardizing
public health and safety. On June 29, 2020, the authorizations contained in G.O. 20-9.1
were extended for an additional 90 days. In Re: Use of Video and Telephone Conferencing
fo� Criminal Proceedings During the COVID-19 Pandemic, G.O. 20-9.2 at 2 (June 29,
2020). On September 17, 2020 and December 14, 2020, the authorizations were again
extended for 90 days. In Re: Use of Video and Telephone Conferencing for Criminal
Proceedings During the COVID-19 Pandemic, G.O. 20-9.3 at 2 (Sept. 17, 2020); In Re:
Use of Video and Telephone Conferencing for Criminal Proceedings During the COVID-
19 Pandemic, G.O. 20-9.4 at 2 (Dec. 14, 2020).
Section 15002(b)(3)(A) of the CARES Act, G.O. 20-9.1, G.O. 20-9.2, G.O. 20-9.3,
and G.O. 20-9.4 provide that if emergency conditions continue to exist 90 days after
issuance of the original or subsequent Order, the Chief Judge must review the findings
contained in the Order and determine whether to extend the authorizations contained
therein. Pursuant to that requirement, I have conducted that review and find that the
circumstances existing today weigh in favor of continuing the authorizations. While the
current rate of daily new cases of COVID-19 in the State of Oklahoma is less than it was
in December 2020, it is still ten times higher than it was in March 2020. The seven-day
average of hospitalizations in the State is more than double what it was in March 2020.
Although twelve percent of Oklahomans have been fully vaccinated, community spread of
the virus remains extensive.
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