COVID-19-induced continuances have struck again at the Southern District of Florida, which covers Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce and Key West.

All jury trials and grand jury sessions that would have started March 30 or later are delayed until July 6, according to an order from U.S. District Chief Judge K. Michael Moore.

Trial deadlines in criminal cases before July 6 are also continued until further notice, while judges will have discretion to continue trial deadlines in civil cases.

Criminal defendants can petition the presiding judge for an exception to the order, which Moore approved.

"The court is cognizant of the right of criminal defendants to a speedy and public trial under the Sixth Amendment, and the particular application of that right in cases involving defendants who are detained pending trial," Moore wrote.

Judges can still hold hearings, conferences and bench trials at their discretion, according to the order, which "strongly encouraged" that they do so over the phone or via video conferencing. Though all courts are still open, they are lightly staffed.

Moore wrote that these continuances fall outside of the Speedy Trial Act because "the ends of justice served by taking that action outweigh the interests of the parties and the public in a speedy trial."

The order could be extended pending further review.

|

Read the order:

Read more: