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DESPITE FEDERAL GOVT SHUTDOWN
District court remains open through Feb. 9
The U.S. District Court for the NMI will remain open and can continue operations for approximately three weeks despite the federal government shutdown, which started midnight of Jan. 20.
According to an announcement posted in the U.S. District Court’s website, the federal judiciary will be open and continue operations through Feb. 9, by using court fee balances and other funds not dependent on new appropriation.
Most proceedings and deadlines will occur as scheduled. In cases where an attorney from an Executive Branch agency is not working because of the shutdown, hearing and filing dates may be rescheduled.
Case management/electronic case files also will remain in operation for electronic filing of documents.
If the shutdown were to continue past Feb. 9, and the Judiciary’s resources become exhausted, the Judiciary would then operate under the terms of the Anti-Deficiency Act, which allows work to continue during a lapse in appropriations if it is necessary to support the exercise of Article III judicial powers.
“Under this scenario, each court and federal defender’s office would determine the staffing resources necessary to support such work,” the announcement said.
