FILED
2020 AUG 21
CLERK
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF UTAH
IN RE: Partial Sequestration of Grand GENERAL ORDER
Jurors and Authorization to Provide
Meals No. 20-025
As set forth in several previous General Orders this year, all grand jury
sessions in this district were suspended for several months because of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in July 2020, however, the court determined that
limited grand jury sessions could resume to address the growing backlog of
cases that urgently needed to be presented to the grand jury. The resumption of
critical grand jury sessions was possible because of the safety precautions the
court had been able to implement to minimize the risk of exposure to the
coronavirus of the jurors, counsel, witnesses, judicial officers, and court staff. As
the court moves to Phase 1 of the Resumption of Court Operations Plan on
September 1, 2020, the number of grand jury sessions will likely increase.
Because of the pandemic-related need to minimize the number of days
each grand jury spends at the court while at the same time maximizing the
number of urgent cases presented to the grand juries when they do convene, the
court authorizes, under 28 U.S.C. § 1871(e), the partial sequestration of the jurors
of Grand Jury 19-01, 19-02, and 19-03. For their safety and security, the jurors are
not to separate and are to be kept together at the courthouse when they convene.
Accordingly beginning on July 9, 2020, and continuing until this Order is
amended or rescinded, the Clerk’s Office is directed to procure meals (individually
wrapped/separated) for the partially sequestered grand jurors and to charge the costs
of the juror meals and the delivery fees to the juror fee appropriation.
SO ORDERED this 21st day of August, 2020.
BY THE COURT:
_____________________________________
ROBERT J. SHELBY
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
