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Court Operations Curtailed during COVID-19 Outbreak (see Administrative Orders)

On April 25, 2023, Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick issued Administrative Order 2023-3, which rescinds, effective May 10, 2023, the CARES Act Authorization pursuant to Section 15002(b)(1) to temporarily conduct certain criminal proceedings via video or telephone conferencing.  The use of video and/or teleconferencing authorized pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or any relevant statutes that applied before the CARES Act are unaffected.  The Judges of this District shall continue to have the discretion to use video or teleconferencing technologies in civil proceedings as authorized by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or any relevant statutes, in light of governing law, applicable policy and Constitutional principles.


On March 29, 2023, Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick issued Administrative Order 2023-2, which rescinds pandemic masking requirements. This Order does not prohibit individuals from electing to wear a mask. Individuals who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, and/or are at a high risk for severe illness are highly encouraged to wear a high-quality mask in public indoor spaces. 


On March 15, 2023, Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick issued Administrative Order 2023-1, which extends the CARES Act authorization to conduct court proceedings via video or telephone conferencing at the discretion of the presiding judge.


On March 15, 2022, Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick rescinded Administrative Order 2021-5 and 2021-7 and issued Administrative Order 2022-3 and 2022-4, which will govern Court operations until further Order or rescinded.  Administrative Order 2022-3 eliminates social distancing requirements and makes masking optional for fully vaccinated individuals, except that the judicial officers shall make all decisions regarding the means and manner of operations within their chambers and courtrooms.  Fully vaccinated individuals must present proof of vaccination upon entry in order to unmask.  Visitors are encouraged to review each judge’s COVID-19 Precautions requirements, available on the Judge’s Info page on the Court’s website, and to otherwise comply with all posted signs and placards. Administrative Order 2022-4 outlines the requirements of the Court’s existing COVID-19 vaccination mandate for employees.  Review the full Administrative Order 2022-3 and 2022-4 for additional information.


 

Visitor Information:

  • Should a visitor show symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of the visit, the visitor must notify the building occupant.  Visitors to District Court or the Clerk's Office should report the following details to the Clerk of Court's Office at 225-389-3500:  date, time frame and nature of visit.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO VIDEO OR TELEPHONIC HEARINGS

  • The public may be permitted to access via audio (listen only mode), to the fullest extent possible considering technological restraints, video or telephonic hearings by submitting a request to the chambers of the presiding judge. Contact information for District Court is available at http://www.lamd.uscourts.gov/directories
  • Members of the public and the media are strictly prohibited from recording or broadcasting any hearing, in whole or in part, in any fashion.

 


PARTY ACCESS TO VIDEO HEARINGS


LAMD issued Administrative Order 2021-8, which extends the CARES Act authorization to conduct court proceedings via video or telephone conferencing at the discretion of the presiding judge.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2021-4, which extends the CARES Act authorization to conduct court proceedings via video or telephone conferencing at the discretion of the presiding judge.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2021-3, which extends the CARES Act authorization to conduct court proceedings via video or telephone conferencing at the discretion of the presiding judge.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2021-2, superseding previous pandemic related Administrative Orders and governs Court operations until further Order or until rescinded.
 
LAMD issued Administrative Order 2021-1, superseding previous pandemic related Administrative Orders and governs Court operations until further Order or until rescinded.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2020-9, superseding previous pandemic related Administrative Orders and governs Court operations until further Order or until rescinded.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2020-8, which supersedes the Court's previous pandemic related Administrative Orders and governs Court operations through September 30, 2020.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2020-7, which extends curtailed court operations through June 30, 2020.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2020-6, supplementing provisions already set forth in Administrative Orders 2020-4 and 2020-5, relating to criminal case operations during the COVID-19 national emergency pursuant to the CARES Act.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2020-5,  which extends curtailed court operations through April 30, 2020. The amendment also emphasizes the prohibitions regarding recording, photographing and broadcasting public hearings conducted via audio and/or video conferencing technologies.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2020-4 in response to CARES Act legislation and the Judicial Conference of the United States’ findings that the COVID-19 national emergency has affected and will materially affect the functioning of federal courts.

LAMD issued Second Amended Administrative Order 2020-3 in response to the Governor’s “Stay at Home” Order and its effect on the deadlines imposed by the Speedy Trial Act, as well as to provide filers with an additional means to file sealed pleadings typically required to be filed in-person pursuant to administrative procedures.

LAMD issued Administrative Order 2020-2 to clarify that  prescriptive, peremptive and statute of limitation deadlines are suspended until April 13, 2020 while the Louisiana Middle District is operating under pandemic related curtailed operations (see Administrative Order 2020-1).

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana Administrative Order 2020-1: Court Operations Curtailed during COVID-19 Outbreak

In response to Centers for Disease Control advisements to take precautions in light of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) outbreak by limiting exposure to the virus, the Middle District of Louisiana will enforce visitor restrictions effectively immediately. See full article and General Order No. 2020-5 for complete details.