In response to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the United States, the Congress has passed and the President has signed into law the CARES Act, H.R. 748, which authorizes the use of video and telephone conferencing, under certain circumstances and with the consent of the defendant, for a number of criminal proceedings during the COVID-19 emergency. The Judicial Conference of the United States has adopted a finding that emergency conditions exist that materially affect the functioning of the federal court generally. To facilitate the use of the emergency procedures authorized by the CARES Act, the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has issued COVID-19 General Order No. 20-4 for the Court. 
The public is encouraged to visit the Courts website, www.laed.uscourts.gov, often for additional information and for updates.