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COVID-19 Court Closures & Guidance

March 26, 2020

Last updated August 21, 2020

COVID-19 has forced the closure of many businesses throughout the country, and the courthouses where DGS clients frequently litigate are subject to these same pressures. The limitations and closures of courts in Colorado and elsewhere vary widely from state to state and even within each state. DGS attorneys continue to monitor these closures and limitations. Please contact David Holman if you would like DGS to monitor additional states or courts.

Colorado

Federal Courts in Colorado

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
    • Operational Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
    • General Order, June 12, 2020
      Effective June 15, 2020, the Byron White Courthouse will reopen only to members of the public who have pending business with the court.
  • District of Colorado
    • General Order 2020-14
      Modifies General Order 2020-10. All civil and criminal trials scheduled to commence now through September 4 are continued.
    • General Order 2020-11
      Guiding jury operations in Grand Junction and Colorado Springs beginning August 3, 2020.
    • General Order 2020-10
      Requiring non-employee entrants to Courthouses and Probation Offices to wear a face covering. The Clerk’s Office and Probation Offices remain closed to public entry. Supersedes General Orders 2020-1, -3, -8, and -9.
    • General Order 2020-9
      Modifying certain dates in General Order 2020-6.
    • General Order 2020-8
      All civil and criminal trials scheduled to commence through July 6, 2020 are continued subject to further order of the presiding judicial officer.
    • General Order 2020-7
      Appointing the Federal Public Defender to decide whether defendants are eligible to petition the Court for compassionate release under the First Step Act.
    • General Order 2020-6
      All civil and criminal trials scheduled to commence though May 29 are continued. All grand jury proceedings are suspended through May 29.
    • General Order 2020-5
      Provides for electronic transmission of bond reports
    • General Order 2020-4
      Provides for video/telephonic conferencing of certain criminal proceedings.
    • General Order 2020-3
      Until May 1, 2020 only persons with official court business may enter the courthouses and U.S. Probation Offices of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. The Clerk’s Office and Probation Offices are closed to public entry. All civil and criminal trials scheduled to commence through May 1 are continued. All grand jury proceedings are suspended through May 1.
    • General Order 2020-2
      All civil, criminal petit, and grand jury selections and jury trials scheduled to commence March 13 through April 3 are continued pending further order of the assigned judge.
    • General Order 2020-1
      Certain visitors, including persons who recently traveled abroad or have been exposed to COVID-19, are prevented from entering courthouses or courtrooms.

State Courts in Colorado

Montana

Montana State Courts (no updates since 5/22)

Nevada

Nevada State Courts

New Mexico

New Mexico State Courts

  • New Mexico Courts – COVID-19 Page
    People entering New Mexico courthouses are required to wear a face covering.
  • New Mexico Supreme Court
    • June 16 Order
      Setting plea and settlement deadline for cases in which jury selection or bench trial is scheduled to begin on or after July 1.
    • July 6 Order
      Adopting health emergency protocols related to judicial buildings and proceedings.

North Dakota

United States District Court for the District of North Dakota

  • Administrative Order 5/12
    All jury trials presently scheduled between March 16, 2020 and July 3, 2020 are continued.

North Dakota State Courts

Ohio

Ohio State Courts

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State Courts

Texas

Texas State Courts

  • Emergency Orders for COVID-19
    As of August 11, five emergency orders are still in effect. Jury proceedings are prohibited until October 1 with certain exceptions.
  • Current & Upcoming Closures

Wyoming

Wyoming State Courts

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