In sum: all jury trials in criminal and civil cases are continued until May 16, 2020 as per the order set forth in full below. The Court's updates regarding COVID-19 can be found at https://www.casd.uscourts.gov/covid19.aspx.
On March 17, 2020, the Chief Judge issued Order of the Chief Judge (OCJ) 18, declaring a judicial emergency for a period of 30 days under 18 U.S.C. § 3174 and setting forth Emergency Orders for the Southern District of California due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. That Order was subsequently amended and modified by OCJs 18-A and 22. On April 2, 2020, the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit ratified the judicial emergency declared in OCJ 18, and extended it for an additional period of up to one year.
The circumstances giving rise to the judicial emergency have not materially changed or abated since March 17, 2020. A state of public health emergency continues in the nation, the State of California, and the City of San Diego. In consideration of the factors outlined in OCJ 18, and to protect the public safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Chief Judge, after seeking the recommendations of the Southern District of California planning group, hereby extends the judicial emergency for an additional period of 30 days and extends the Emergency Orders set forth in OCJ 18, as modified in OCJs 18-A and 22. The Chief Judge further finds this extension serves the ends of justice under 18 U.S.C. § 316l(h)(7)(A).
This 30-day extension applies to grand jury proceedings. However, all previously empaneled grand juries remain duly empaneled and the United States Attorney is empowered to issue grand jury subpoenas and initiate new investigations.
This Order is effective immediately and will remain in place until May 16, 2020 absent further order of the Court.