The United States District Court for the District of Maine

Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The United States District Court for the District of Maine continues to monitor the most current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the Administrative Office of the U. S. Courts (AO), regarding the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus). The Court is following recommended guidance in order to protect the public health. In accordance with this guidance, court operations have been adjusted in several areas and access to the courthouses restricted.

Details about current court operations and access may be found in the materials below.

Notices from the Court

• Chief Judge's Letter Regarding the District of Maine's Response to COVID-19, dated May 22, 2020
• Notice Re Telephone and Video Proceedings
• Notice Re: General Order 2020-4 dated March 31, 2020
• 03/18/2020 Continuity of Operations Public Announcement
• 03/25/2020 Telephonic Hearings Public Announcement

General Orders

• Index of General Orders Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic
• General Order 2020-14: (Amended) Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated September 18, 2020 [ACTIVE]
• General Order 2020-13 (Amended): Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus Courthouse Entrance Protocols dated September 30, 2020 [ACTIVE]
• General Order 2020-12: Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated July 30, 2020 [ACTIVE]
• General Order 2020-11: Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated July 30, 2020 [ACTIVE]
• General Order 2020-10: Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated June 30, 2020 [Superseded by General Order 2020-14]
• General Order 2020-9: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated June 10, 2020 [ACTIVE]
• General Order 2020-8: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated June 3, 2020 [EXPIRED]
• General Order 2020-7: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated June 1, 2020 [ACTIVE]
• MISC. NO. 2:20-mc-00098-JDL Order Extending Certain Statutory Deadlines for Administrative and Civil Judicial Asset Forfeiture Proceedings and Actions dated May 12th, 2020 [ACTIVE]
• General Order 2020-6: Emergency Petitions for Compassionate Release Pursuant to Section 603(b) of the First Step Acted dated May 11, 2020 [ACTIVE]
• General Order 2020-5: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated April 29, 2020 [EXPIRED]
• General Order 2020-4: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated March 31, 2020 [EXPIRED]
• General Order 2020-3: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated March 25, 2020 [Superseded by General Order 2020-4]
• General Order 2020-2: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated March 18, 2020 [Partially superseded. See General Order 2020-4]
• General Order 2020-1: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated March 13, 2020 [Superseded by General Order 2020-2]

Court Procedures and Scripts

• COVID-19 Telephonic & Video Conference Script
• COVID-19 Procedural Order Authorizing Foreclosure Plaintiff to Seek a Default Judgment
• Protocol for Sidebar Conferences During Video Teleconference Proceedings

Additional Information for Members of the Public and Attorneys

• District Decisions Referencing COVID-19 Pandemic
• Zoom Participation Instructional Document
• Notice Re: Instructions for Attending Court Hearings Conducted by Video Teleconference During COVID-19 Pandemic
• Protocols and Procedures Governing In-Person Proceedings

Please contact the Clerk of Court by phone or email for additional information about how to file documents, the status of a case or a scheduled hearing, and other issues:

• Clerk’s Office in Portland: (207) 780-3356 or usdc_emergency@med.uscourts.gov
• Clerk’s Office in Bangor: (207) 945-0575 or usdc_emergency@med.uscourts.gov

Suggestions related to the Court’s operation during the pandemic may be submitted by email to Christa Berry at christa_berry@med.uscourts.gov or Eric Storms at eric_storms@med.uscourts.gov.