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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9 FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
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11 IN RE:
GENERAL ORDER 09-20
12 HEARINGS BY VIDEO OR
TELEPHONE AS AUTHORIZED BY
13 THE CARES ACT
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16 This General Order is being issued with regard to this Court’s prior response to the
17 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and the enactment of the Coronavirus
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Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES Act”) on March 27, 2020. Pursuant to
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20 Sections 15002(b)(1) and 15002(b)(2)(A) of the Act, on March 29, 2020, the Judicial
21 Conference of the United States found that emergency conditions due to the national
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emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C.
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24 § 1601 et seq.) with respect to COVID–19 will materially affect the Federal courts
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On March 30, 2020, this Court issued General Order No. 04-20 finding that,
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28 pursuant to § 15002(b)(2)A) of the CARES Act, certain criminal proceedings could not be
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1 conducted in person without seriously jeopardizing public health and safety. The Court
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therefore authorized the use of video conferences or telephone conferences for those
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proceedings.
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5 Ninety days after the chief judge makes such an authorization, the chief judge must
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“review the authorization and determine whether to extend the authorization.” §
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8 15002(b)(3)(A). I have reviewed the current procedures of the Court and the daily
9 COVID-19 data from the counties in the Western District of Washington and conclude
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that, in the interest of public health and safety, the procedures set forth in General Order
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12 04-20 must be extended another 90 days from the date of this Order.
13 IT IS SO ORDERED.
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Dated this 25th day of June, 2020.
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A
RICARDO S. MARTINEZ
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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