UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF VERMONT
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
In re: ORDER EXTENDING USE OF VIDEO AND DISTRICT OF VERMONT
FILED
TELEPHONE CONFERENCING UNDER THE
JUNE 24, 2020
EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY
THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY
GENERAL ORDER NO. 92
This order extends the authorization for the use of video and telephone conferencing technology
in light of the continuing COVID-19 emergency.
By order dated March 30, 2020, the court authorized the use of video and telephone hearings in
criminal cases. That order will expire on June 29, 2020. Pursuant to the authority granted in the
CARES Act, H.R. 748, the court extends the authorization for an additional 90 days.
The court amends General Order No. 88 to reflect changed circumstances. Video access from
detention facilities is now 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).
With the availability of Zoom hearings, there is no longer a need to schedule different judges on
separate days.
The authorization to use video and audio includes civil motion hearings and hearings in
bankruptcy cases.
Jury trials in criminal and civil cases will resume after September 1, 2020. The presiding judge
exercises 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 24th day of June, 2020.
___________________
Geoffrey W. Crawford
Chief Judge
