The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada continues to closely monitor the national and state and local responses to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and will be following guidance provided by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health officials. We will continue to post updates to general court operations to this website.
Further Postponement of Jury Trials
General Order 2020-03 is amended as it relates to jury trials and each presiding judge will address any needed continuance of trials in their individual cases.
Requirement for Paper Copies for Chambers – Temporarily Suspended: Effective April 7, 2020, in response to the recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) and the Court’s efforts to do its part in containing the spread of COVID-19, the requirement of submitting paper copies for chambers pursuant to LR IC 2-2(g) is suspended while the Clerk’s Office remains closed. See General Order 2020-04.
Authorization for Video and Telephone Conferencing Under The CARES Act and Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
Effective March 30, 2020, the Court authorizes the use of video conferencing, or telephone conferencing if video conferencing is not reasonably available, for certain criminal proceedings as provided in the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act). The public may call in to listen to hearings when hearings are conducted by video conferencing or teleconferencing. See General Order 2020-05 for additional information.
Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by COVID-19: All civil and criminal trials, including any associated deadlines, are continued until April 10, 2020 pending further order of the Court; All non-case related events scheduled to be held in the District’s courthouses,including the Inn of Court and Project Real, are postponed pending further order of the Court; As to criminal matters, the time period of continuances be excluded under the Speedy Trial Act. See General Order 2020-03 for additional information.
TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS REGARDING ENTRANCE TO THE COURTHOUSE: Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19? Do you reside with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days? Have you been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency because of COVID-19? Do you have symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, severe cough, or shortness of breath? If you answered YES to ANY of the above questions, please DO NOT enter the courthouse. Please see General Order 2020-02 for additional information.
Clerk’s Office Closure and Further Restrictions on Court Operations
Effective, Friday, March 20, 2020, the Clerk’s Office and Courthouse will implement the following additional measures: (1) the Clerk’s Office will close to the public; filings will be processed via CM/ECF, mail, or delivery (in designated drop boxes outside Clerk’s Office), and (2) necessary hearings will be accomplished via video conference or telephone (with the defendant’s consent in criminal cases) to the extent practicable. See General Order 2020-04 for additional information.
Naturalization Ceremonies
The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has been monitoring the national and local responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its potential impact on our communities. Given the size of the in-court naturalization ceremonies, the court is concerned about effective implementation of social distancing measure to ensure protection of all involved. For this reason, the court will postpone all naturalization ceremonies through the month of March 2020. The court will continue to evaluate the fluid situations and explore options to hold naturalization ceremonies to allow for prompt make-up ceremonies to occur.
