Temporary restrictions for all courthouses in the Northern District of California until May 2020, could be extended longer

Chief District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton has signed General Order No. 72, IN RE: Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency (effective March 16, 2020), and General Order No. 73, Temporary Restrictions on Courthouse Access due to Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency (effective March 17, 2020).



Please note the following:

 No criminal or civil jury trials will be commenced before May 1, 2020.  Any trial dates currently scheduled are vacated. All civil matters will be decided on the papers, or if the assigned judge believes a hearing is necessary, the hearing will be by telephone or videoconference.


Initial appearances and other criminal proceedings before magistrate judges will continue but will be consolidated, and such proceedings for all divisions will be conducted in San Francisco (starting on Wednesday, March 18, 2020).  Such proceedings will be conducted by telephone or by videoconference to the extent possible.

All grand jury proceedings in this district are suspended until May 1, 2020. The requirement under Civil Local Rule 5-1 that a courtesy copy of any filing be provided to the assigned judge’s chambers is suspended pending further notice. All courthouses within the Northern District of California shall remain closed to the public until May 1, 2020.
This period may be extended by further order.

Only persons with official court business authorized by General Order 72, or by a presiding judge, may enter any federal courthouse within the district.

General Orders 72 and 73 apply only to courthouse facilities and do not apply to executive branch agencies or their facilities at the identified locations.