Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance

Suggested & Mandatory Practices

Conducting Jury Trials During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This document provides suggested and mandatory practices for conducting jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic and information to inform jury trial practices

Orders Of The Chief Judge

Order Of The Chief Judge 21-037
Order Lifting The Stay Of Civil Matters Involving The Commissioner Of Social Security As A Party Under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g)

Order Of The Chief Judge 21-031
Use Of Video And Telephonic Conference Technology In Certain Criminal Proceedings

Order Of The Chief Judge 21-002
Extension Of Continuity Of Operations Plan

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-186
Use Of Video And Telephonic Conference Technology In Certain Criminal Proceedings (Extended)

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-179
Activation of Continuity of Operations Plan

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-097
Use Of Video And Telephonic Conference Technology In Certain Criminal Proceedings (Extended)

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-095
Continued Suspension of Naturalization Ceremonies

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-080
Use Of Video And Telephonic Conference Technology In Certain Criminal Proceedings (Extended)

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-078
Use of Face Coverings in Court Facilities

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-074
Order Staying Civil Matters Involving The Commissioner of Social Security as a Party Under 42 U.s.c. § 405(G)

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-044
Suspension Of Grand Juries

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-043
Use Of Video And Telephonic Conference Technology In Certain Criminal Proceedings

Order Of The Chief Judge 20-042
Activation Of Continuity Of Operations Plan

 

General Orders

General Order 21-07
In Re Coronavirus Public Emergency Order Concerning Phased Reopening Of The Court (Supersedes General Order No. 21-06, General Order No. 21-03, and Order of the Chief Judge No. 20-078)

General Order 21-06
In Re Coronavirus Public Emergency Order Concerning Phased Reopening Of The Court: Southern Division (Supersedes, in part, General Order No. 21-03)

General Order 21-03
In Re Coronavirus Public Emergency Order Concerning Phased Reopening Of The Court (Supersedes General Order No. 20-09)

General Order 20-15
In Re Coronavirus Public Emergency Order Concerning the Southern Division’s Operations (Supersedes General Order No. 20-12)

General Order 20-12
In Re Coronavirus Public Emergency Order Concerning Reopening of the Southern Division (Supersedes, in part, General Order No. 20-09)

General Order 20-09
In Re Coronavirus Public Emergency Order Concerning Phased Reopening of the Court (Supersedes Amended General Order No. 20-08)

General Order 20-08 Amended
In Re Coronavirus Public Emergency Order Concerning Phased Reopening of the Court (Supersedes General Order No. 20-05)

General Order 20-05
Jury Trials and Other Proceedings

General Order 20-03
Access to Court Facilities

 

Press Release and Notice

Phased Reopening of the Court (4/15/2021)
Phased Reopening of the Court (3/19/2021)
Expiration of Continuity of Operations Plan
Extension of Continuity of Operations Plan
Activation of Continuity of Operations Plan
Use of Face Coverings in Court Facilities
Phased Resumption of Operations
Further Measures Taken in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Protective Measures Taken In Response To Coronavirus

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I am a pro se litigant and I usually bring my documents to the courthouse to file in person – but I do have computer and internet access. Do I have options other than mail for submitting documents when the courthouses are closed?

    Yes.  You may submit your documents to the Court electronically through the Electronic Document Submission System (“EDSS”).  You may also apply for permission to e-file documents directly into the Court’s Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (“CM/ECF”) System in a particular case.  For more information, see http://www.cacd.uscourts.gov/e-filing/electronic-filing-and-case-access-people-without-lawyers.

  • I am pro se and do not have computer/internet access. I always come in to personally file my documents and get my notices in the mail. If the court is closed for filing, how can I submit my documents as ordered by the judge without being penalized?

    Mail your documents to Clerk of Court at 255 East Temple Street, Suite TS-134, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3332. You will continue to receive notices and court-issued documents in the mail.

  • For criminal duty matters conducted at the Roybal Courthouse, may a family member or member of the media attend the hearing?

    Yes; however, social distancing must be observed in the courtroom.

  • Are chambers paper copies still required?

    Until further notice, all district judges and magistrate judges do not require mandatory chambers copies during the pandemic.

    Any judge can require a chambers copy in a particular case if desired. The chambers copy shall be mailed to the judge via Fed Ex. Chambers copy cannot be hand-delivered to the courthouse.

  • Will in-person hearings be held in any civil or criminal matters?

    In civil cases, all appearances will be by telephone or video conference; in criminal matters other than criminal bench duty matters, all appearances will be by telephone or video conference per Order of the Chief Judge 20-179. Criminal bench duty matters will be by telephone or video conference with the defendant’s consent and in court absent consent.

  • Should we expect instructions from the court regarding telephone or video conferences for civil hearings during the COOP period, or does counsel need to make a request for civil hearings to proceed by telephone or video conference?

    Counsel will receive notice from the Court if the matter will go forward by video or telephonic conference.

  • I have received a jury summons. Do I need to respond?

    Yes, you must respond to your jury summons.  You must complete and submit a Juror Qualification Questionnaire within 10 days.  Please visit our website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov/jury.

  • I have jury service scheduled during the COOP period; will I be required to report for jury service?

    Please call (800)327-3296 or check your reporting instructions online as instructed on your summons.

  • I need to submit a pro hac vice application but certificates of good standing are not being issued due to COVID-19. Are certificates of good standing still required for submitting pro hac vice applications?

    You should prepare a declaration that the court you need a certificate of good standing from is closed or is not issuing certificates of good standing due to COVID-19 and attach the declaration to your application.

Contact us if you have questions related to COVID-19

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