FILED
2021 JAN 22
CLERK
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH
IN THE MATTER OF COURT
PROCEEDINGS AND COURT
OPERATIONS DURING THE GENERAL ORDER
21-001
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
PANDEMIC
The Court has entered a number of General Orders in response to the ongoing
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Utah and around the nation.1
General Order 20-008, entered on March 12, 2020, confirmed that the Federal
Courthouse in Salt Lake City remains open with restricted access for certain
visitors.
On March 16, 2020, the Court entered General Order 20-009, suspending all
petit jury and grand jury activities in the District through May 1, 2020. In General
Order 20-009, the Court also continued all trial-related deadlines in criminal
cases, entered findings excluding certain time under the Speedy Trial Act,
vacated hearings for most matters set between March 17 and March 31, and
provided guidance concerning numerous other aspects of court operations.
On March 23, 2020, the Court entered General Order 20-010, providing certain
protections for attorney-client communications impacted by the COVID-19 crisis
and establishing protocols for various criminal proceedings and United States
Probation Office activities.
General Order 20-011 was entered March 31, 2020, making findings
implementing the emergency provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
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These General Orders and additional information can be found on the Court’s website:
https://www.utd.uscourts.gov/united-states-district-courts-district-utah-covid-19-information-center .
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On April 28, 2020, the Court entered General Order 20-012, making additional
findings related to the Speedy Trial Act, continuing all civil and criminal trials
through June 15, 2020, and providing guidance concerning other court functions.
General Order 20-17 was entered on June 15, 2020. This Order continued all
grand jury and petit jury activities through August 1, 2020; included additional
findings relating to the Speedy Trial Act and excluded from the Act time through
August 1, 2020; and provided new information concerning a plan for phased
resumption of court activities unanimously adopted by the judges.
On June 26, 2020, the Court entered General Order 20-20, extending the
emergency provisions of the CARES Act for an additional 90 days.
The Court entered General Order 20-21 on July 29, 2020. This Order generally
continued the status quo throughout the Court and extended relevant deadlines
through September 1, 2020. It also describes the Court’s four phase reopening
plan and the gating criteria.
General Order 20-26 was entered August 26, 2020. Most notably, this Order
announced the Court’s planned September 1, 2020, transition to Phase I of the
Court’s phased reopening plan. This allowed certain critical in-person hearings
to proceed in criminal cases. All jury trials in criminal and civil cases were
continued, though critical grand jury proceedings continued on a limited basis.
The Court entered on September 28, 2020, General Order 20-28, extending the
emergency provisions of the CARES Act for an additional 90 days.
General Order 20-29 was entered on September 30, 2020. This Order preserved
the Court’s status in Phase I of its phased reopening plan. The Order continued
all jury trials through November 2, 2020, clarified procedures for critical Grand
Jury operations in Phase I, and extended left in place existing restrictions against
in-person civil and criminal hearings.
The Court entered on December 28, 2020, General Order 20-33, extending the
emergency provisions of the CARES Act for an additional 90 days.
Most recently, the court entered General Order 20-30 on October 29, 2020. That
Order explained that the Court remained in Phase I of the Court’s phased
reopening plan. Most notably, the Order continued jury trials through February 1,
2021.
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Many of the extension dates initially set forth in those General Orders are now
approaching.
The Court continues to monitor closely the state of the COVID-19 health crisis in
Utah and around the nation. New daily cases of COVID-19 in Utah surged to
unprecedented levels in recent months. The World Health Organization advises that
the global pandemic is accelerating. Globally, nearly 100,000,000 people have been
infected, and more than 2,000,000 have died from the disease. The Judicial
Conference of the United States has found that emergency conditions due to the
national COVID-19 crisis have affected and continue to materially affect the functioning
of the federal courts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to issue
guidance to combat the spread of the disease, and to promote the health and well-being
of the nation. The Court is closely monitoring the CDC’s guidance as well as various
directives from all branches and levels of government. Among other things, the CDC
strongly recommends that all Americans avoid close contact with others (i.e., being
within six feet) and wear cloth face coverings in public or when around others. These
and other measures are in response to increased concerns about the extent of
asymptomatic transmission of the virus and the potential for the virus to spread through
mere conversations or breathing, in addition to airborne transmission through coughing
or sneezing.
There are nationwide now over 24,000,000 confirmed cases of Americans
infected with COVID-19, resulting in over 400,000 deaths. Utah has now confirmed
over 325,000 cases, resulting in nearly 13,000 hospitalizations and over 1,500 deaths.
Among other things, the Salt Lake County area has experienced significant outbreaks of
the virus in many of its jails. COVID-19 test positivity rates remain alarmingly high,
suggesting the virus continues to spread unabated throughout our communities. The
available evidence continues to suggest difficulty tracking the real spread of COVID-19
because large numbers of infections remain undetected due to asymptomatic carriers,
varying degrees of symptoms, a lack of adequate testing, and other factors. Some
scientific organizations estimate the total number of cases in the United States could be
as high as ten times the number of reported cases. In addition, many hospitals in Utah,
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and especially along the Wasatch Front, are at or near full ICU capacity, raising
concerns about the availability of emergency health care for those most in need. While
the numbers new daily cases is starting in the last couple weeks to fall from peak levels,
the number of new cases and infection rate in Utah continue to make the COVID-19
pandemic an urgent health emergency.
After careful consideration of publicly available data; following consultation with
appropriate stakeholders; and consistent with the Court’s phased reopening plan and
the procedures outlined in General Orders 20-17 and 20-29 – the Court will remain in
Phase I of its phased reopening plan, as described below.2 Subject to modification as
conditions require, it is HEREBY ORDERED:
1. Jury Trials: All in-person civil and criminal jury trials are CONTINUED
through April 1, 2021, pending further order of the Court. All in-person jury
trial dates preceding that date are VACATED. The Court may issue further
orders concerning future continuances as are necessary and appropriate.
Questions concerning prospective scheduling of trial dates should be
directed to the assigned judge.3
2. Speedy Trial Act: For the reasons stated above relating to the ongoing
COVID-19 threat, and for the reasons previously discussed in General
Orders 2020-09, 2020-010, 2020-011, 2020-012, 2020-17, 2020-21, 2020-
26, 2020-29, and 2020-30, including the procedural and practical
challenges to seating a jury in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic the
period of time between February 1, 2021, through April 1, 2021, is hereby
EXCLUDED from the respective speedy trial calculations for both the
return of an indictment and the commencement of trial within the District,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A). An “ends of justice” exclusion
under the Speedy Trial Act is disfavored and “meant to be a rarely used
tool for those cases demanding more flexible treatment.”4 The Court
nevertheless concludes an “ends of justice” finding is necessary and
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The Court’s Southern Region proceedings in St. George are addressed separately below.
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Provisions of this General Order pertaining to in-person jury trials do not apply to fully remote jury trials.
4
United States v. Toombs, 574 F.3d 1262, 1269 (10th Cir. 2009).
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appropriate in the District of Utah at this time. The expanding number of
COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths nationally and in Utah,
demand modifications to court practices to protect public health. Courts
and court operations are necessarily social operations, involving many
people.
Mindful of the Court’s constitutional responsibility to continue providing
mission-critical functions of the federal judiciary – even during the COVID-
19 outbreak – the need to protect the public health in the midst of the
ongoing deadly COVID-19 pandemic outweighs the important rights of
individual defendants and the public to speedy trials at this time. The Court
reaches this conclusion after carefully balancing the factors set forth in 18
U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B). Specifically, the Court finds that the exclusion of
time through April 1, 2021 from the respective speedy trial periods, is
necessary to protect the health and safety of jurors and prospective jurors,
court staff and employees, criminal defendants, counsel, law enforcement
personnel, and the public.
In addition, in-custody defendants in this District are held at local jails under
the direct control of the State of Utah and individual counties. The Court is
experiencing significant restrictions on access to federal defendants during
this outbreak. Travel restrictions further impair the ability of counsel and
witnesses to appear for grand jury proceedings or trial. Beyond that, the
current environment makes it nearly certain that the Court cannot obtain an
adequate spectrum of jurors to fairly conduct trials. Moreover, the health
risks associated with trial are acute. Trial requires that jurors, counsel,
parties, witnesses, court personnel, and judges all be present in the
courtroom in relatively close proximity. Empaneling a jury, conducting a
trial, and facilitating jury deliberations, all with due regard for health and
safety, is simply not currently possible in the physical facilities available to
the court. Video and audio conferencing, used for hearings, are not
available for trials. Counsel’s ability to adequately prepare for trial,
including locating and consulting with witnesses, and defense counsel’s
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ability to effectively confer with defendants, are also greatly diminished
under these circumstances.
Judges are encouraged to enter speedy trial orders in the cases over which
they preside. Judges presiding over criminal proceedings may take such
actions consistent with this Order as may be lawful and appropriate to
ensure the fairness of the proceedings and preserve the rights of the
parties – particularly where defendants are detained pending trial. Any
motion by a criminal defendant seeking an exception to any provision of
this Order should be directed to the assigned judge.
3. Trial-Related Deadlines: All trial-related deadlines in criminal cases
(including, but not limited to, deadlines concerning motion cutoff dates,
proposed jury instructions, proposed voir dire, proposed verdict forms, plea
cutoffs, etc.) scheduled to begin trial before April 1, 2021 are CONTINUED,
subject to case-specific orders entered by the judge presiding in individual
cases.
Individual judges may continue trial-related deadlines in civil cases at their
discretion. Questions concerning trial-related deadlines should be directed
to the assigned judge.
4. Grand Jury: Consistent with Phase I of the Court’s plan for resuming
operations, critical Grand Jury proceedings may continue on a week-to-
week basis as conditions in the District permit. The United States
Attorney’s Office is directed to continue coordinating those proceedings
with Chief Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead. Because Grand Jury
proceedings remain limited to critical matters due to the COVID-19
pandemic, the 30-day time period for filing an indictment is tolled as to
each defendant until this Order terminates. See 18 U.S.C. § 3161(b).
Questions concerning grand jury scheduling should be directed to the
United States Attorney’s Office.
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5. Search Warrants: Between February 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021, all search
warrants and other applications (including, among other things, trap/trace
and pen registers), as well as new criminal complaints for most cases shall
be submitted via email to the chambers email box of the duty Magistrate
Judge:
a. For February 2021 to
[email protected] for Magistrate
Judge Romero;
b. For March 2021 to
[email protected] for Chief Magistrate
Judge Pead;
c. For April 2021 to
[email protected] for Magistrate
Judge Bennett; and
d. In matters arising in the Southern Region, with St. George location
designations, such materials shall be submitted to
[email protected] for Magistrate Judge Kohler.
The courtroom deputy for the assigned judge will then communicate with
the sender to arrange the resolution of such matters via electronic means
(teleconference or video), as appropriate.
6. Title III Applications: All Title III applications shall be submitted via email
to Chief Judge Shelby’s courtroom deputy, Mary Jane McNamee. The
courtroom deputy will then communicate with the sender to arrange the
resolution of such matters via electronic means (teleconference or video),
as appropriate.
7. Criminal Hearings
a. Critical Hearings: Consistent with remaining in Phase I of the Court’s
plan for resuming operations, critical criminal hearings may, in the
discretion of the presiding judge in each case, continue in-person or, if
permitted by the CARES Act and the General Orders entered by the
Court enacting the emergency provisions of the CARES Act, remotely
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by audio or video with consent of the defendant. Critical hearings
generally include motions to suppress, evidentiary hearings, changes
of plea, sentencings, initial appearances, and detention hearings. After
meeting and conferring, the parties in cases before the Court may file
individual or stipulated motions seeking an in-person critical hearing or
to opt-out of an in-person critical hearing for counsel or for the
defendant. A motion must provide a reasonable basis for the relief
requested, which may include that counsel or the defendant are in a
high-risk category or care for an immediate family member who is
especially vulnerable, jail policies concerning isolation and transport, or
the need to present evidence. The Court’s findings in General Orders
2020-11, 2020-20, 2020-28, and 2020-33 remain in effect due to the
extraordinary limitations and health concerns that persist as a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that the emergency provisions
of the CARES Act remain available to defendants who wish to waive
their right to appear in-person even for critical hearings. In such
instances, critical hearings will be conducted by videoconferencing or
teleconference.
b. Other Hearings: After meeting and conferring, any party in a criminal
case may file a motion requesting an in-person hearing for a matter not
listed above as a critical hearing. The filing party must state the other
party’s position on the motion. No response to such a motion is
required unless ordered by the Court. Any such motion should
account for the individual jail requirements associated with transporting
in-custody defendants. Jail information may be obtained from the
courtroom deputy for each presiding judge. At the discretion of the
assigned judge or upon request of the parties, videoconferencing and
teleconferencing services may be made available for hearings.
c. Miscellaneous: The protocols set forth in General Order 20-010 are
adopted and incorporated herein. Those provisions in General Order
20-010 relating to Attorney-Client Privilege (Paragraph 1) and Pretrial
Services Reports (Paragraphs 2-5) are EXTENDED through April 1,
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2021. Except as specified above, appearances in any criminal
hearings ordered by summons are CONTINUED through April 1, 2021.
Judges before whom such appearances were scheduled are
encouraged to notify those summoned of a new appearance date.
8. Central Violations Bureau Calendars: The Central Violations Bureau
(CVB) calendars set between February 1, 2021 and April 1, 2021 will not
be held in person, absent approval from Chief Judge Shelby. Such
calendars may, however, proceed electronically at the discretion of the
presiding judge.
9. Reentry and Specialty Courts: In-court reentry (specialty court) hearings
and activities are SUSPENDED through April 1, 2021. At the discretion of
the presiding judicial officer, these courts may be conducted remotely
utilizing existing telephonic or video conference options in a manner that
does not require in-person participation or that otherwise jeopardizes the
health and safety of the participants, the program staff, or court
representatives. Any deviation from these restrictions must be approved in
advance by Chief Judge Shelby.
10. Civil Hearings and Bench Trials: Consistent with the Phase I provisions
of the Court’s phased reopening plan, presiding judges retain discretion to
proceed with critical civil hearings and critical bench trials - as necessary
and appropriate in individual cases. Any party, after meeting and
conferring, may file a motion providing the basis for seeking an in-person
bench trial or any other type of civil hearing the parties deem critical. If the
motion is granted, other parties are permitted to file a motion to opt out of
attending in person. For the reasons detailed above, including the
unprecedented and serious health concerns associated with the current
pandemic, in-person civil hearings should be held only in exceptional
circumstances. This is so even in emergency matters, including
applications for temporary restraining orders or injunctions. Absent specific
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and compelling exceptional circumstances, all civil hearings should be
conducted remotely utilizing existing telephonic or video conference
options. If a judicial officer concludes that a civil hearing or bench trial is
critical and must be conducted in-person, that judge should adopt stringent
protocols in consultation with counsel, and consistent with CDC guidance
and the Court’s plan for phased resumption of operations, to ensure the
safety of the parties, witnesses, counsel, and court staff.
11. Public and Bar-Related Functions: All public and bar-related functions
scheduled to take place at the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City
between February 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021, are CANCELED. This
includes meetings of the American Inns of Court, continuing education
events, school tours, informational meetings, social functions, and
Immigration and Naturalization ceremonies. Questions concerning
rescheduling these events should be directed to the Clerk’s Office. Chief
Judge Shelby may make exceptions to this restriction on a case-by-case
basis.
12. Public Access: The federal courthouse in Salt Lake City shall remain open
for mission-critical functions of the judiciary, but the public and members of
the bar are discouraged from coming to the courthouse unless necessary
for official court-related activities, including filing documents that cannot be
submitted electronically, attending in-person criminal hearings described
above, and the like. The St. George Courthouse remains closed, but is
proceeding with mission-critical functions through electronic and remote
means.
Those coming to the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City must comply with
all governmental guidelines, including the use of personal protection such
as masks and physical distancing.
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13. Clerk’s Offices: The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District, and
other court services shall remain open pending further order of the Court,
but business hours and means of access may be limited. Specific
information about business hours will be available on each Court unit’s
internet site.
14. Southern Region Operations in St. George, Utah: The Court’s Southern
Region operations are housed in space leased within the State of Utah St.
George Courthouse. That facility and its operation is controlled by the
State of Utah. Among other things, this means the availability of in-person
Southern Region proceedings are subject to decisions by the State of Utah
and Washington County. As the resident United States District Judge in St.
George, Judge David Nuffer is granted emergency authority to promulgate
rules and procedures for Southern Region proceedings consistent with
State of Utah and Washington County directives and COVID-19 conditions
within the Southern Region.
SO ORDERED this 22nd day of January, 2021.
BY THE COURT:
_____________________________________
ROBERT J. SHELBY
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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