To combat the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), given the severity of risks posed to the public, Court staff, and other Court agencies, and considering the public health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the undersigned Chief Judge for United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana hereby issues this order, which amends COVID-19 General Order No. 20-6, COVID-19 General Order No. 20-9, COVID-19 General Order No. 20-10, and COVID-19 General Order No. 20-13 (attached as Exhibit A to this Order and incorporated herein by reference) to extend certain deadlines addressed therein as follows. 1. All civil and criminal jury trials are suspended until May 1, 2021 and will be reset by each presiding judge. Those continuances do not continue any pending deadlines other than the trial dates. Attorneys should contact the presiding judges in their continued cases if they seek to modify such other deadlines. 2. With regard to criminal matters, due to the Court’s reduced ability to obtain an adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the recommendations of the health organizations mentioned in Exhibit A on the ability of counsel and Court staff to be present in the courtroom, the time period of the postponements implemented by this administrative order will be excluded under the Speedy Trial Act, as the Court specifically finds that the ends of justice served by ordering the postponements outweigh the best interest of the public and any defendant’s right to a speedy trial, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 3161(h)(7)(A). View this PDF.

On September 8-11, October 1, and December 3, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held Oath of Allegiance Administrations in which 80 individuals became U.S. citizens.  The Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, administered the Oath of Allegiance to the naturalization candidates.  The oath administrations were held outside the U.S. District Courthouse, on the courthouse porch, to ensure that all participants remained safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition, participants wore masks and maintained at least a 6-foot distance from each other.  Members of the New Orleans Chapter of the League of Women Voters were on hand to assist new citizens in registering to vote, and many of the new citizens registered in time to vote in the most recent presidential election.   The oath administrations were a true symbol of the new citizens’ fortitude and resolve, as well as the Court’s commitment to continuing its operations in a safe and mindful manner.  To view photographs of these oath administrations, please select this link.   

The Administrative Office of the Courts has adopted the attached changes to the Fee Schedule of the District Courts.  These changes were effective on December 1, 2020. December 1, 2020 Fee Changes   

Please be advised that amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate, Bankruptcy, and Civil Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence are effective on December 1, 2020: https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/current-rules-practice-procedure