Information Regarding the Reopening of Eastern District Courthouses

 

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California has issued General Order 631 regarding the reopening of all courthouses of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. 


General Order 631 - Providing Notice of Planned Reopening of Courthouse on June 14, 2021.
(Issued 05/26/2021)

In light of the best information available to the Judges of the Eastern District of California at this time, on behalf of the Court, [the Chief Judge] hereby issue[s] the following Order superseding the prior General Order 618 issued on May 13, 2020:

1. Effective June 14, 2021, all courthouses of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California will reopen to the public. This order applies to the following divisional locations:

(1) The Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse, 501 I Street, Sacramento;
(2) The Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno;
(3) The Redding Federal Courthouse, 2986 Bechelli Lane, Redding;
(4) The Bakersfield Federal Courthouse, 510 19th Street, Bakersfield;
(5) The Yosemite Federal Courthouse, 9004 Castle Cliff Court, Yosemite; and
(6) The Modesto U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 1200 I Street, Second Floor, Modesto.

2. Effective June 1, 2021, all persons wishing to attend or observe a trial shall be admitted to the common areas of the courthouse, and the Court Security Officers shall direct such persons to the courtroom in which the trial is being held.

3. Until further notice, General Order 621 requiring the wearing of face coverings in all public space and in private agency space where six feet of physical distancing cannot be maintained remains in effect.

4. Effective immediately, each Judge will determine whether to hold proceedings over which that Judge presides in person in a courtroom or by telephone or videoconference, in consultation with the Clerk of the Court and U.S. Marshal, as appropriate, to allow for coordination regarding the impact on court and security staff and operations.

5. To the extent any Judge conducts any criminal proceeding by telephone or video conference, General Order 630 implementing the CARES Act remains in effect until July 1, 2021, unless further extended, and continues to authorize the use of telephone or video conference with a defendant’s consent.

6. In criminal cases before the District Judges, the assigned District Judge may exercise his or her authority to continue matters, excluding time under the Speedy Trial Act based on current public health conditions with respect to COVID-19, with findings to support the exclusion in the Judge’s discretion.