NOTICE RE COVID-19 VIRUS:

In light of the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) outbreak, and the concerns listed in this court’s General Order No. 72, the following changes are made to Judge Orrick’s Standing Orders and calendars, continuing until further notice.

Civil Case Management Conferences:  Unless specially set, all Initial and Further Case Management Conferences will be conducted through Zoom videoconference on Tuesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.   Case Management Statements must be filed one week prior to the Case Management Conference.  Prior to the Case Management Conference, the Courtroom Deputy will publish a notice on the case docket explaining how the Conference will be conducted, and providing access information for counsel and for members of the public and press.  After reviewing the parties’ Case Management Statement, the Court may vacate the Conference and issue a Case Management Order based on the parties’ Statement.

Civil Law and Motion Hearings: Unless specially set, all civil law and motion hearings will be conducted by Zoom videoconference on Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.  Prior to the hearing date, the Courtroom Deputy will publish a notice on the case docket explaining how the hearing will be conducted, and providing access information for counsel and for members of the public and press.  Hearings may be vacated and determined on the papers.

Civil Case Discovery:  Judge Orrick's Standing Order provision requiring trial counsel to meet and confer in person over discovery disputes is suspended.  The Court will be liberal in granting continuances to discovery deadlines and related case management deadlines during this period when they are necessary.  It is Judge's Orrick's hope that, even more than usual, counsel will display empathy and cooperate with each other on discovery and case management to the fullest extent possible.

Criminal Cases: Sentencing, Change of Plea, and any evidentiary hearings shall be in person.  The only exception is that if the lawyers and defendant stipulate to appear by Zoom for good cause, Judge Orrick may allow it on a case by case basis.  Such stipulations shall be filed at least 48 hours before the scheduled hearing.  Status conferences and non-evidentiary motions may proceed by Zoom upon agreement by the lawyers and defendant.  The parties shall post a notice on ECF at least 48 hours in advance of the agreement to a Zoom appearance for such hearings.  It is the expectation of Judge Orrick that status conferences and motions for in-custody defendants will occur by Zoom as long as the CARES Act is in effect.

Notice Prohibiting Recording of all Telephone or Videoconferences.  Persons granted remote access to court proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings (including those held by telephone or videoconference). See General Order 58 at Paragraph III. Any recording of a court proceeding held by video or teleconference, including “screen-shots” or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court-issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the court.

Please see https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ for information on preparing for and participating in a Zoom Meeting or Webinar. Counsel are instructed to familiarize themselves with and practice Zoom functions, and to test their internet, video, and audio capabilities prior to the hearing.