Skip to content

Jones Walker is proactively working with clients to help them move away from reacting to the COVID-19 crisis to getting ahead of it. We are also arming our clients with the information they need to identify key priorities and shift resources to where they are needed most. Below, we have provided a summary of existing federal and state court orders impacting litigation throughout the Gulf South. We also recommend this data visualization tool from the National Center for State Courts for information about the status of other courts throughout the country. We realize many unknowns remain, but our focus and advocacy continues to be on you and your success.

US APPELLATE COURTS

5th Circuit –

11th Circuit –

ALABAMA:

Middle District of Alabama –

Northern District of Alabama –

Southern District of Alabama –

  • TBD – inform court if been in contact with virus.

FLORIDA:

  • Restrict access to courthouse.

Northern District of Florida –

LOUISIANA:

The various judicial district courts, city courts, etc. have issued individual, court-specific orders in light of the Supreme Court’s order. The Supreme Court is compiling notices from the various courts on its homepage: http://www.lasc.org/.

Eastern District of Louisiana

The COVID-19 General Order No. 20-6, dated April 24, 2020 states as follows:

  • All civil and criminal jury trials are suspended until August 1, 2020.
    • These continuances do not continue any pending deadlines other than trial dates. Counsel is directed to contact the presiding judge if they seek to modify other deadlines.
  • For other matters requiring in-person appearances, including bench trials, hearings, conferences, etc. in criminal and civil matters through August 1, 2020, counsel must contact chambers to determine whether and how the matter will proceed.
  • All grand jury proceedings are suspended until August 1, 2020, subject to change upon motion from the government and further Court orders.
  • For criminal matters, the time period of the postponements implemented by this administrative order will be excluded under the Speedy Trial Act.
  • All other events involving the Court or scheduled to be held in the courthouse including CLE courses, tours, Inns of Court meetings, naturalization ceremonies from May 1, 2020 to August 1, 2020 are cancelled and will be rescheduled when appropriate.

Past Coronavirus (COVID-19) Orders and Notices

  • All civil and criminal bench and jury trials are continued until May 1, 2020, to a date to be reset by each presiding judge, but does not continue any other pending deadlines.
  • All hearings, proceedings, and conferences continued until May 1,2 020, but other deadlines currently pending are not continued.
  • All grand jury proceedings are continued until May 1, 2020.
  • Criminal proceedings before the Magistrate Judges of the United States District Court for Eastern District of Louisiana will be adjusted as follows: Court will be convened on Mondays and Fridays. To the extent feasible, these twice-weekly court sessions will be conducted by video conference, as long as the defendant consents to that procedure.
  • Sealed documents should be submitted by email to the Court at sealeddocs@laed.uscourts.gov.  Please use the encrypted “Send Securely” option  in your email if available. Documents should be in PDF format and include an electronic signature of the attorney filing it.

Middle District of Louisiana –

  • All civil and criminal trials, bench and jury, are postponed to a date on or after May 1, 2020. This postponement does not affect any other pending deadlines other than the pre-trial conference and trial dates.
  • All civil evidentiary hearings and other in-court hearings and proceedings set until April 10, 2020 are postponed.
  • All grand jury proceedings are postponed.
  • Initial appearances in criminal matters will be conducted by video conference. Other criminal matters will take place in ordinary course or by video conference at the discretion of the assigned judge.
  • Prescriptive, peremptive and statute of limitation deadlines are hereby interrupted until April 13, 2020.

Western District of Louisiana –

TEXAS:

Northern District of Texas –

Southern District of Texas –

Western District of Texas –

MISSISSIPPI:

Northern District of Mississippi –

Southern District of Mississippi –