Case 2:20-mc-00052 Document 13 Filed 09/21/20 Page 1 of 2 PageID #: 43
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
Miscellaneous Case No. 2:20-mc-00052
ENTERED
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SEPT 21 2020
RORY L PERRY 11, CLERK
U.S. o;strict Court
IN RE: SECOND EXTENSION OF GENERAL ORDER #4 Southern Olstrict of West Vlr lnla
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. 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
considering a determination that the emergency no longer materially affects the
federal courts. Accordingly, it is hereby ORERED that the authorization to conduct
Case 2:20-mc-00052 Document 13 Filed 09/21/20 Page 2 of 2 PageID #: 44
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 25th day of September, 2020.
________________________________________
THOMAS E. JOHNSTON, CHIEF JUDGE
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