The information posted here includes orders from a number of courts in the states where Bradley attorneys practice. This includes protocols for who can enter courthouses or appear in person at hearings or other events, information about postponements or cancelations of hearings or trials in some jurisdictions, and other important information. The details vary by state and by court, and we continue to receive updated orders and other guidance from various jurisdictions; but these orders mean that sometimes, deadlines will be extended and the resolution of your matter may be delayed. Please contact the Bradley attorney who is handling your matter(s) for specific information about how these orders may affect your case.

Connecticut

UDSC District of Connecticut

• All civil and criminal (grand and petit) jury selections and jury trials scheduled to commence now through April 10, 2020 before any district or magistrate judge in any courthouse in the District of Connecticut

Maine

USDC District of Maine

• All civil and criminal (grand and petit) jury selections and jury trials scheduled to commence before any district or magistrate judge in the District of Maine are hereby CONTINUED pending further Order of the Court;

Maryland

State Courts

• Maryland State Courts are reportedly suspending all jury trials until April 3, 2020, though the court website (last updated March 6, 2020) indicates that the Courts remain open for normal hours of operations
• The Law Offices of Peter Angelos have stated that they will not be seeking legislation this term for a consolidation of cases

USDC District of Maryland

• ORDERED by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland that, effective immediately, all civil and criminal petit jury selections and jury trials scheduled to commence now through April 24, 2020 before any district or magistrate judge in any courthouse in the District of Maryland are POSTPONED and CONTINUED pending further Order of the Court
• Defense Counsel has requested that all depositions should be suspended due to the age and health of the Plaintiffs and witnesses for the same 120 days. The court is taking that under advisement.

Massachusetts

USDC District of Massachusetts

• All jury trials in Boston, Springfield, and Worcester are postponed six (6) weeks, and this order will remain in effect on rolling basis until it is determined to be safe to proceed otherwise.

State Courts

• The SJC ordered that, effective immediately, all empanelments in jury trials, in both criminal and civil cases, are postponed until no earlier than April 21, 2020. This order does not affect any case in which a jury has already been empaneled or where a jury has been selected for empanelment; such cases shall proceed through verdict. In addition, no new grand juries will be empaneled before April 21, 2020, and grand juries whose terms expire on or before April 21, 2020 will be extended until that date. In exceptional circumstances, a criminal defendant may seek an exception to the order postponing jury trials.
• Bankruptcy Court and Licensing Board have postponed all hearings indefinitely.

North Carolina

State Court

• Effective Monday, March 16, superior court and district court proceedings will be rescheduled for at least 30 days, with some exceptions.

New Mexico

• The New Mexico state courts have postponed all civil jury trials until further notice:
• The Court is “[p]ostponing civil jury trials that have not started, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Civil non-jury trials will proceed unless rescheduled by a judge.”

New Jersey

• All reporting for petit jury service is suspended. No new civil or criminal jury trials will be conducted until further notice. Motions and conferences will be conducted via telephone.

New York

NYCAL / New York Unified Court System (Statewide)

• Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, civil jury trials in which opening statements have not commenced shall be postponed until further notice; civil jury trials already commenced shall continue to conclusion.
• Effective March 16, 2020, unless otherwise directed by court in exceptional circumstances, all motions in civil matters shall be taken on submission. When permitted, argument should be conducted by Skype or other remote means wherever possible.
• Effective March 16, 2020, individual assignment preliminary conference and compliance conference calendars shall be managed with a goal of minimizing courthouse appearances, maximizing adjournments and stipulations on consent, and directing remote appearances through Skype or telephone

Pennsylvania

USDC Eastern District of PA

• The Court is reportedly expected to shut down next week; in the meantime, an order has been issued calling for the following:
• All civil and criminal jury trials and grand jury selections scheduled to begin between now and April 13, 2020, before any district or magistrate judge in any courthouse in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are CONTINUED pending further Court order.
• All mass public gatherings, other than court proceedings, are SUSPENDED at all Court locations within the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This includes, but is not limited to, group tours and visits, moot courts and mock trials, bar group meetings, seminars, and naturalization ceremonies
• The Eastern District of Pennsylvania will remain open for all other business. The public is encouraged to continue utilizing Court services while following all applicable public health guidelines.

Philadelphia County, PA

• A directive to close courts beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 has reportedly been issued, though verification, formal announcement, and length of time is pending. Officially, the Court has posed the following:
• All courts of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania remain operational. The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania continues to monitor developments on the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and any potential impact on court operations.

Rhode Island

USDC District of Rhode Island

• The U.S. Courthouse building at One Exchange Terrace is closed to the public
• The presiding judge’s case manager will cancel all in-person civil matters, and instead, where possible, arrange hearings to be conducted telephonically until further notice.

South Carolina

Richland County, SC

• Until subsequent order by the Chief Justice, all jury trials at the Richland County Courthouse, located at 1701 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, are postponed. Non-jury trials and other hearings may continue to be held, but only attorneys, their clients and necessary witnesses will be allowed to appear. Provisions for emergency hearings shall be made by the respective Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes.
• Only essential personnel shall report to the Richland County Courthouse for work. Provisions shall be made for the acceptance of filings and payments, and transmission of necessary information to law enforcement and other government bodies.

Virginia

Eastern District of Virginia

• Per General Order No. 2020-02, beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 and continuing through April 17, 2020, all civil and criminal (grand and petit) jury empanelments, jury trials, and grand jury proceedings before any district or magistrate judge in any courthouse in the Eastern District of Virginia are CONTINUED until further Order of the Court, with the exception of the sessions of Grand Juries 20-1 and 20-2, which will continue in the Alexandria courthouse as scheduled. Please visit our website to view a copy of the order. Thank you.

Washington

King County, WA (Greater Seattle Region)

• Effective March 13, 2020, King County District Court is operating under a “Level III” pandemic response, by emergency administrative order of Chief Presiding Judge Donna Tucker.
• Pursuant to the order, all currently scheduled King County District Court hearings will be postponed and rescheduled by the court clerks to another date, with limited exceptions.
• See the emergency order for details on which types of hearings will continue as scheduled, and the court’s Declaration of "Level III" Pandemic Operations document for more information