Opinion
22 Cr. 336 (NSR)
09-29-2022
USA, v. ROBERT CHOMICKI, Defendants.
SCHEDULING ORDER
HON. NELSON S. ROMAN, U.S.D.J.
In light of the recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic affecting New York, and given the directives provided by the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to limit in-person court appearances due to the risk presented by COVID-19, it is hereby
ORDERED that the above case is scheduled for a Status Conference via teleconference on October 4, 2022 at 11:00 am.
To access the teleconference, please follow these directions: (1) Dial the Meeting Number: (877) 336-1839; (2) Enter the Access Code: 1231334 #; (3) Press pound (#) to enter the teleconference as a guest.
Prior to the teleconference, Defendant's counsel shall either obtain from Defendant a written or oral waiver of appearance and consent for counsel to proceed telephonically either with or without Defendant present by telephone. If counsel cannot obtain a written waiver from Defendant, counsel must provide an affidavit confirming counsel has obtained Defendant's consent. The affidavit must establish that counsel (1) consulted with Defendant regarding his or her right to be present at all conferences, (2) discussed with Defendant the current public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions to courthouse access that have been implemented as a result, and (3) obtained Defendant's consent to willingly and voluntarily give up his or her right to be present at conferences for the period of time in which access to the courthouse has been restricted on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.! The affidavit shall be e-filed with the Court no later than one (1) day before the scheduled teleconference.
In preparation for and while engaging in a teleconference, please follow these guidelines:
1. Use a landline whenever possible.
2. Use handset rather than speakerphone.
3. Identify yourself each time you speak.
4. Be mindful that, unlike in a courtroom setting, interrupting can render both speakers unintelligible.
5. Mute when not speaking to eliminate background noise, i.e., dog barking, kids playing, sirens, papers shuffling, emails pinging, drinking, breathing. It all comes through. This will also prevent interruptions.
6. Avoid voice-activated systems that don't allow the speaker to know when someone else is trying to speak and they cut off the beginning of words.
7. Spell proper names.
8. Have judge confirm reporter is on the line.
9. If someone hears beeps or musical chimes, that means someone has either come in or left the conference. Please be aware that the judge may need to clarify that the reporter has not lost the line. (This has happened before, and the reporter had to dial back in and tell the judge the last thing that the court reporter transcribed.)
SO ORDERED.