Opinion
21 Cr. 613 (RMB)
10-22-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. FAISAL ALI, Defendant.
ORDER
THE HONORABLE RICHARD M. BERMAN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
WHEREAS, the Court has referred to the Magistrate Judge on duty the change-of-plea proceeding (the “Proceeding”) for defendant Faisal Ali, to be scheduled for October 22, 2021;
WHEREAS, the Court has authorized the use of videoconferencing (or teleconferencing, if video is not reasonably available) for felony pleas under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, having specifically found that Rule 11 felony pleas cannot be conducted in person without seriously jeopardizing public health and safety, see In re: Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic, 20 Misc. 176 (CM) (March 11, 2021);
WHEREAS, the defendant has consented to the use of videoconferencing (or teleconferencing, if video is not reasonably available) for the Proceeding;
WHEREAS the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitates that the proceeding take place remotely;
THE COURT HEREBY FINDS that because the defendant has consented to proceeding remotely, and for the reasons set forth in the parties' letter of October 22, 2021, the Proceeding cannot be further delayed without serious harm to the interests of justice.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Proceeding, to be scheduled for October 22, 2021, shall be conducted before the duty Magistrate Judge by videoconferencing, or teleconferencing, if video is not reasonably available.
SO ORDERED: