UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF VERMONT
FILED
March 26, 2021
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
In re: ORDER EXTENDING USE OF VIDEO AND DISTRICT OF VT
TELEPHONE CONFERENCING UNDER THE
EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY
THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY
GENERAL ORDER NO. 96
This order extends the authorization for the use of video and telephone conferencing technology
in light of the continuing COVID-19 emergency.
By General Order No. 94 dated December 28, 2020, the court authorized the extension of the use
of video and telephone hearings in criminal cases through March 26, 2021. Pursuant to the
authority granted in the CARES Act, H.R. 748, the court extends the authorization for an
additional 90 days, through June 24, 2021.
Video access from detention facilities continues to be widely available and in use through the
Zoom platform. Similarly, video access for defense counsel, prosecutors, and released
defendants is available. Audio hearings continue to be authorized, but video is preferred.
Defendants continue to have the right to appear in open court. A video or audio hearing in a
criminal case requires the consent of the defendant.
Video attendance is also available to members of the media and members of the public upon
request. Photography (including screen shots) or recording of court hearings and publication or
broadcast of images or audio of these hearings remain contrary to court rules and will lead to a
loss of access to the video or audio hearing. See F.R.Cr.P. 53; Local Civil Rule 83.2(b).
The authorization to use video and audio includes civil motion hearings and hearings in
bankruptcy cases.
Jury trials in criminal and civil cases have resumed effective September 1, 2020. The presiding
judge continues to exercise discretion as to the scheduling and conduct of a trial. The judge,
court staff, and counsel will engage in advance planning for each trial in order to conduct the
trial in the safest manner possible.
Dated at Burlington, in the District of Vermont, this 26th day of March, 2021.
___________________
Geoffrey W. Crawford
Chief Judge
