Case 2:20-mc-00052 Document 15 Filed 12/18/20 Page 1 of 2 PageID #: 50
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
Miscellaneous Case No. 2:20-mc-00052 f • FILED
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DEC 18 2020
RORY L PERRY II, CLERK
U.S. Oistrict Court
Southern District of West Vlr lnla
IN RE: THIRD EXTENSION OF GENERAL ORDER #4
VIDEOCONFERENCING in
CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
On March 30, 2020, the Court issued General Order #4 authorizing the
expanded use of videoconferencing in criminal proceedings in light of the national
emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 25, 2020, the Court entered
an order extending that authorization for ninety days. On September 21, 2020, the
Court entered an order further extending the authorization until December 20, 2020.
The Court finds that the use of videoconferencing during the pandemic has been
beneficial to the court, litigants, and others involved in criminal proceedings in this
District.
Pursuant to Section 15002(b)(3) of the CARES Act, I am required to review
the authorization set forth in General Order #4 every ninety days. The authorization
is based upon the declaration of a national emergency by the President, and a
determination by the Judicial Conference that the federal courts are materially
affected by the national emergency. To date, I have no indication that the President
or Congress is about to terminate the emergency or that the Judicial Conference is
Case 2:20-mc-00052 Document 15 Filed 12/18/20 Page 2 of 2 PageID #: 51
considering a determination that the emergency no longer materially affects the
federal courts. Accordingly, it is hereby ORERED that the authorization to conduct
videoconferencing in criminal cases as outlined in General Order #4 is hereby
extended for a period of ninety days.
This Order will remain in effect ninety days from the date of its entry unless
terminated earlier. If emergency conditions continue to exist ninety days from the
date of this Order, or if the President’s emergency declaration remains in effect,
along with the Judicial Conference’s finding that the emergency conditions will
materially affect the functioning of the federal courts, the Chief Judge will review
this Order and determine whether to extend it. Such review will occur not less
frequently than once every ninety days, until the last day of the covered emergency
period or until the Chief Judge determines that this authorization is no longer
warranted.
SO ORDERED this 18th day of December, 2020.
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THOMAS E. JOHNSTON, CHIEF JUDGE
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