How is COVID-19 Affecting the Court System?

Courts throughout the country are shutting down, postponing a case load of trials. Those that haven't shuttered all together are generally implementing strict protocols to keep people safe.

Check out us.courts.gov to keep track of various federal court orders.  A few examples include:

  • In the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, which includes Chicago, proceedings are being postponed, with filing deadlines being extended accordingly.

  • The U.S. Supreme Court justices will work from home. Filing deadlines have not been extended.

  • As of March 17th, the Ninth Circuit has closed to the public, and oral arguments are being determined on a case-by-case basis, in some cases holding argument via telephone or video. Filing deadlines will be extended on an “as needed" basis.

Of course, these are just a few examples of the various approaches federal courts are using.  This is a developing situation with many unknown answers at the moment.