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Court Operations during COVID-19 Pandemic Event

Court Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic Event

Attention: The court has issued an updated order that updates court operations. Effective February 24, 2021, all civil and criminal jury trials are continued until April 23, 2021. All personal appearances are also continued unless the presiding judge deems a personal appearance essential. Appearances will be coordinated with the chambers staff and courtroom deputies assigned to a particular judge. Please contact chambers to determine the status of any matters you may have scheduled.

The Clerk’s Office will operate with reduced hours from 10:00 am till 3:00 pm. Drop boxes are available in both courthouses and electronic filing remains available. The courthouses will remain open and phones in both chambers and the Clerk’s Office will be answered.

Additional detail and the full text of the order can be found here.

The court has updated its policy regarding access to video and teleconference proceedings. Click here to read more.

Attention Prospective Jurors: The U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York has developed procedures to ensure the safety of all who enter the federal courthouses. If you receive a summons or notice from this court, please follow the enclosed instructions regarding your service. Announcements regarding jury service and trials from New York State, Erie and Monroe county courts do not apply to this court or federal jury service in this district.
 
Please Note: Due to the high volume of calls that the U.S. Courts are experiencing nationally, you may experience problems reaching the court by telephone. The courts are working with their vendor to address these problems. Your patience during this time is greatly appreciated.
  • 12/8/2020 - The Court has issued a General Order updating Court Operations and Access (12/8/2020).  Effective December 8, 2020, all civil and criminal jury trials are continued until February 24, 2021. All personal appearances are also continued unless the presiding judge deems a personal appearance essential. Appearances will be coordinated with the chambers staff and courtroom deputies assigned to a particular judge. Please contact chambers to determine the status of any matters you may have scheduled.
     
  • The Clerk’s Office will operate with reduced hours from 10:00 am till 3:00 pm. Drop boxes are available in both courthouses and electronic filing remains available. The courthouses will remain open and phones in both chambers and the Clerk’s Office will be answered.
     
  • Additional detail and the full text of the order can be found here.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • 9/24/2020 - The Court has issued a General Order updating Court Operations and Access (9/23/2020). This order extends many of the previous orders through 12/24/2020. Details and full text of the order can be found here.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • 7/15/2020 - The Court has issued a General Order updating Court Operations and Access (7/15/2020). This order extends many of the previous orders. Details and full text of the order can be found here.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • 6/26/2020 - The Court has issued a General Order updating the Video and Teleconferencing Criminal Proceedings Under the CARES Act provisions. This order extends the deadline for using video and teleconferencing options available to the court under the CARES Act. Details and full text of the order can be found here.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • 6/15/2020 - The Court has issued a General Order updating Court Operations and Access (6/15/2020).  This order extends many of the previous orders.  Details and full text of the order can be found here.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • 5/13/2020 - The Court has issued a General Order updating Court Operations and Access (5/13/2020).  This order extends many of the previous orders.  Details and full text of the order can be found here.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • The  Pro Se Assistance Program (“PSAP”) — run by legal services providers in both Buffalo and Rochester — is open on a remote basis to assist non-prisoner pro se litigants with cases pending in our District during the COVID-19 pandemic.  There are no in-person consultations. For more information, click on the appropriate link below:
     
  • Buffalo Pro Se Assistance Program Flyer
  • Rochester Pro Se Assistance Program Flyer
  • 4/23/2020 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has issued an updated general order (4/23/2020) regarding visitor restrictions and the use of PPEs in all courthouses in the District as a result of the COVID-19 virus continuing to spread throughout New York State. Please note, this order supersedes the general order dated 3/12/2020. Click here for the details on the restrictions and other information.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • The court has updated its policy regarding access to video and teleconference proceedings. Click here to read more.
  • 4/17/2020 - Chief Judge Geraci has issued a general order regarding court appearances under the exigent circumstances created by COVID-19. Read the full order here.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • 3/30/2020 - Chief Judge Geraci has issued a general order regarding the CARES Act. The Act provides for greater flexibility of video conferenced and teleconferenced proceedings. Read the full order here.
  • 3/21/2020 - Chief Judge Geraci has issued a general order regarding interim CJA payments. Read the full order here.
  • 3/18/2020 - Chief Judge Geraci has issued a general order regarding attorney admissions during the COVID-19 situation. Details can be found in the order available here.
     
  • Puede encontrar una versión en español de las restricciones y otros detalles aquí.
  • 3/18/2020 - Chief Judge Geraci has issued a general order regarding criminal jury trials affected by the COVID-19 situation. Details can be found in the order available here.
     
  • Puede encontrar una versión en español de las restricciones y otros detalles aquí.
  • 3/16/2020 - Chief Judge Geraci has issued a general order regarding Alternative Dispute Resolution deadlines affected by the COVID-19 situation.  Details can be found in the order available here.
     
  • Puede encontrar una versión en español de las restricciones y otros detalles aquí.
  • 3/13/2020 - The U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York has issued a General Order regarding Court Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic Event. Please read the full order here.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.
  • 3/12/2020 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York announces visitor restrictions to all courthouses in the District as a result of the COVID-19 virus beginning to spread in New York State. Click here for the details on the restrictions and other information.
     
  • Puede encontrar una versión en español de las restricciones y otros detalles aquí.
  • 3/12/2020 - The United States District Court for the Western District of New York has issued a general order (3/12/2020) regarding visitor restrictions to all courthouses in the District as a result of the COVID-19 virus beginning to spread in New York State. Please note, this order has been superseded by the general order dated 4/23/2020. Click here for the details on the restrictions and other information.
     
  • Una traducción al español de este orden general está disponible aquí.