FILED
`MAR 1 7 2021
`CLERK. u.s. DISTRICT COURT
`wa&TERN D1S.fi? C.I. OF TEXA8
`FOURTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL ORDER REGARDING IIY
`Z: fuAA
`COURT OPERA TIO NS UNDER THE EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES
`DEPUTY
`CREATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
`
`THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
`
`This Order is being issued in response to the continued outbreak of novel coronavirus in
`the United States and the State of Texa s. The World Health Organization has declare d that
`COVID-19 qualifies as a globa l pand emic, having spread across no less than 120 countr ies with
`more than 29,319,000 confirmed cases in the United States, as of March 17, 2021 according to
`the Center s for Disease Control (CDC). The United States District Court for the Western District
`of Texas has been closely monitoring the outbreak of novel coronavirus (which causes the
`disease designated as COVID-19 ), including careful monitoring of the developing guidance from
`the CDC . The CDC has described the outbreak in the United States as a "rapidly evolving
`situation" and is providing continuous ly updated guidance as to the appropriate community
`respon se to COVID-19 as condition s worsen. The State of Texas has seen an increase in
`COVID-19 cases from 63 on March 15, 2020, to 2,72 1,000 as of March 17, 2021. The CDC's
`guidance includes multipl e· types of migration strateg ies generally aimed at redu cing or avoiding
`exposure to infected individu als.
`
`As of the date of this Order, there have been thou sands of confirmed cases of coronavirus
`within the Western District of Texas . The State of Texas has made a disaste r declaration in
`response. The CDC and other public health entities have recommended social distanc ing as a
`means to limit further community spread ofCOVID- 19. The Court is concerned with the health
`and safety of the publi c, Court employees, staff of other entities with whom Court personne l
`interact, litigants , including defendants in criminal matt ers, counsel, interpre ters, law
`enforcement officials, and juror s, who must work in close quarters to hear evidence and to
`deliberate.
`
`Therefore, given the continu ed severity of the risk to the persons listed above by the
`spread of COVID-1 9 in the Western District of Texas, and taking into consid erat ion matters of
`public health, while reducing the size of public gatherings and the need for travel, the Court
`orders as follows:
`
`1. All civil and criminal jury trials scheduled to begin on any date from now
`through April 30, 202 1, are continued to a date to be reset by eac h Presiding
`Judge. Civil and criminal bench trials may proceed provided all safety provisions are
`considered . Attorneys should contact the Presiding Judges in the continued cases if
`they seek to modify any pretrial deadlines.
`
`2. Due to the Court's reduced ability to obtain an adequate spectrum of jurors and due to
`the reduced ava ilability of attorneys and Court staff to be present in courtroo ms
`because of the public health considerations described above, the tim e period of the
`continuan ces implemented by this Order are excluded under the Speedy Trial Act, 18
`U.S.C. § 3 16 1 (h)(7)(A). The Court finds that the ends of ju stice served by ordering
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`EX 1019 Page 1
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`these continuances outweigh the best interests of the public and each defendant's right
`to a speedy trial. In fact, the best interests of the public are served by these
`continuances.
`
`3. The court recognizes that not every division within the district is similarly situated.
`The Western District of Texas is geographically large and encompasses
`approximately 93,000 square miles and 68 counties with many counties far more
`populous than others. The public health situation related to the novel coronavirus in
`each division may differ and judges in individual divisions may determine that the
`conditions in their communities safely allow for an adequate spectrum of jurors and
`sufficient availability of attorneys. Accordingly, courts in the district may opt to
`conduct jury trials within their respective division subject to a determination, based
`upon the facts and circumstance unique to the division, that conducting jury trials
`would not compromise the health and safety of Court personnel, litigants, counsel,
`law enforcement, witnesses and jurors. If judges in a specific division determine jury
`trials can be safely conducted, the most senior district judge within the relevant·
`division may enter an order making those findings and resuming jury trials for the
`division despite this order and with notice to the Chief Judge.
`
`Grand Juries will continue in every division as determined and scheduled by the
`United States Attorney's Office.
`
`4. Judges may continue to hold in-person hearings, sentencing proceedings, and
`conferences, but counsel may seek relief from those matters by appropriate motions.
`The parties are encouraged to participate in sentencing hearings, detention hearings,
`and pleas and civil or criminal motion hearings and conferences by telephone or
`video. This Order does not impact any court's consideration of particular matters on
`the pleadings alone.
`
`5. Magistrate Judges will continue to preside over criminal matters, such as initial
`appearances, arraignments, detention hearings, pleas, and the issuance of warrants.
`The use of video or telephone for these matters is encouraged.
`
`6. Any events involving the Court that are not case-specific, including, but not limited
`to, continuing legal education courses, public tours, and administration of oaths to
`attorneys which are scheduled to occur between now and April 30, 2021, are
`hereby cancelled and will be rescheduled as appropriate. Naturalization ceremonies
`may be convened if appropriate social distancing measures can be ensured.
`
`7. All of the courthouses of the Western District of Texas will remain open for business
`subject to any restrictions imposed by a judge or judges in each division. However,
`many employees, including some of chambers staff, will be teleworking, but they will
`be accessible by phone. Electronic filings may continue to be made through the
`CM/ECF system.
`
`8. Any delivery directed to chambers· shall be delivered instead to the Clerk's Office in
`each courthouse.
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`9. Unless vacated, modified, or extended, this Order will remain in effect through
`April 30, 2021, and will then expire.
`
`FOR THE COURT.
`
`So ORDERED and SIGNED this 17th day of March, 2021.
`
`\.+_
`
`ORLANDO L. GARCIA
`Chief United States District Judge
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`EX 1019 Page 3
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