COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
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.
General Orders
The Court’s General Orders establish the Court’s practices and policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Index of General Orders is regularly updated and describes the subject of each General Order and indicates whether the General Order is active and in effect or expired and no longer in effect.
- Index of General Orders Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic
- General Order 2020-17: Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated December 11, 2020 [ACTIVE]
- General Order 2020-16: Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated October 30, 2020 [ACTIVE]
- General Order 2020-15: Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated October 23, 2020 [ACTIVE]
- General Order 2020-14: (Amended) Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated December 14, 2020 [ACTIVE]
- General Order 2020-13 (Amended): Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus Courthouse Entrance Protocols dated November 3, 2020 [ACTIVE]
- General Order 2020-12: Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated July 30, 2020 [EXPIRED]
- 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2020-10: Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus dated June 30, 2020 [EXPIRED, Superseded by General Order 2020-14]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, Amended January 22, 2021]
- 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 [EXPIRED ,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 [EXPIRED, 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 [EXPIRED, Superseded by General Order 2020-2]
Telephone and Video (“Zoom”) Hearings
- Broadcasting of Telephone and Video Proceedings
- COVID-19 Telephonic & Video Conference Script
- Protocol for Sidebar Conferences During Video Teleconference Proceedings
- Zoom Participation Instructional Document
- Notice Re: Instructions for Attending Court Hearings Conducted by Video Teleconference During COVID-19 Pandemic
In-Court Hearings
Persons planning to attend an in-court hearing are encouraged to read General Order 2020-7 regarding face-coverings and masks, and General Order 2020-13 regarding entrance protocols.
Court Decisions Referencing the COVID-19 Pandemic
Foreclosure Proceedings
Miscellaneous
- Continuity of Operations Public Announcement (March 18, 2020)
- Chief Judge's Letter Regarding the District of Maine's Response to COVID-19 (May 22, 2020)
If You Have a Question
• 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
If You Have a Suggestion
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.