Order — United States v. Stefan Lewis (S.D.N.Y., Dkt. 67, April 8, 2021)
Summary
Order by United States District Judge Loretta A. Preska, Case 1:20-cr-00234, Document 67, filed 04/08/21 (S.D.N.Y.), in the matter of defendant Stefan Lewis. The conference scheduled for April 12, 2021 is rescheduled to occur as a video/teleconference using the CourtCall platform, and defense counsel will have fifteen minutes to speak with the Defendant by telephone before the sentencing proceeding begins. The order sets participation rules for video and teleconference attendees. It directs defense counsel, if possible, to discuss the attached Waiver of Right to be Present at Criminal Proceeding with the Defendant and, if the Defendant consents, to file the executed form at least 24 hours before the proceeding. The Government is to email the Court a proposed unsealing order before sentencing. It is dated April 8, 2021.
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“Order — United States v. Stefan Lewis (S.D.N.Y., Dkt. 67, April 8, 2021).”
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Case 1:20-cr-00234-LAP Document 67 Filed 04/08/21 Page 1 of 6
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
---------------------------------------------------------------------- X
:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, :
:
-v- : 20-CR-234 (LAP)
:
STEFAN LEWIS, : ORDER
:
Defendant. :
:
---------------------------------------------------------------------- X
LORETTA A. PRESKA, United States District Judge:
The conference scheduled for April 12, 2021 is hereby RESCHEDULED to occur as a
video/teleconference using the CourtCall platform on April 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST. As
requested, defense counsel will be given an opportunity to speak with the Defendant by
telephone for fifteen minutes before the sentencing proceeding begins (i.e., at 8:45 a.m. EST);
defense counsel should make sure to answer the telephone number that was previously provided
to Chambers at that time.
To optimize the quality of the video feed, only the Court, the Defendant, defense counsel,
and counsel for the Government will appear by video for the proceeding; all others will
participate by telephone. Due to the limited capacity of the CourtCall system, only one counsel
per party may participate. Co-counsel, members of the press, and the public may access the
audio feed of the conference by calling 855-268-7844 and using access code 32091812# and PIN
9921299#.
In advance of the conference, Chambers will email the parties with further information on
how to access the conference. Those participating by video will be provided a link to be pasted
into their browser. The link is non-transferrable and can be used by only one person;
Case 1:20-cr-00234-LAP Document 67 Filed 04/08/21 Page 2 of 6
further, it should be used only at the time of the conference because using it earlier could result
in disruptions to other proceedings.
To optimize use of the CourtCall technology, all those participating by video should:
1. Use the most recent version of Firefox, Chrome, or Safari as the web browser. Do
not use Internet Explorer.
2. Use hard-wired internet or WiFi. If using WiFi, the device should be positioned
as close to the Wi-Fi router as possible to ensure a strong signal. (Weak signals
may cause delays or dropped feeds.)
3. Minimize the number of others using the same WiFi router during the conference.
Further, all participants must identify themselves every time they speak, spell any proper names
for the court reporter, and take care not to interrupt or speak over one another. Finally, all of
those accessing the conference — whether in listen-only mode or otherwise — are reminded that
recording or rebroadcasting of the proceeding is prohibited by law.
If CourtCall does not work well enough and the Court decides to transition to its
teleconference line, counsel should call (877) 402-9753, access code: 6545179. In that event,
and in accordance with the Court’s Emergency Individual Rules and Practices in Light of
COVID-19 counsel should adhere to the following rules and guidelines during the hearing:
1. Each party should designate a single lawyer to speak on its behalf (including
when noting the appearances of other counsel on the telephone).
2. Counsel should use a landline whenever possible, should use a headset instead of
a speakerphone, and must mute themselves whenever they are not speaking to
eliminate background noise. In addition, counsel should not use voice-activated
systems that do not allow the user to know when someone else is trying to speak
at the same time.
3. To facilitate an orderly teleconference and the creation of an accurate transcript,
counsel are required to identify themselves every time they speak. Counsel
should spell any proper names for the court reporter. Counsel should also take
special care not to interrupt or speak over one another.
4. If there is a beep or chime indicating that a new caller has joined while counsel is
speaking, counsel should pause to allow the Court to ascertain the identity of the
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Case 1:20-cr-00234-LAP Document 67 Filed 04/08/21 Page 3 of 6
new participant and confirm that the court reporter has not been dropped from the
call.
If possible, defense counsel shall discuss the attached Waiver of Right to be Present at
Criminal Proceeding with the Defendant prior to the proceeding. If the Defendant consents, and
is able to sign the form (either personally or, in accordance with Standing Order 20-MC-174 of
March 27, 2020, by defense counsel), defense counsel shall file the executed form at least 24
hours prior to the proceeding. In the event the Defendant consents, but counsel is unable to
obtain or affix the Defendant’s signature on the form, the Court will conduct an inquiry at the
outset of the proceeding to determine whether it is appropriate for the Court to add the
Defendant’s signature to the form.
To the extent that there are any documents relevant to the proceeding (e.g., proposed
orders or documents regarding restitution, forfeiture, or removal), counsel should submit them to
the Court (by email or on ECF, as appropriate) at least at least 24 hours prior to the
proceeding. To the extent any documents require the Defendant’s signature, defense counsel
should endeavor to get them signed in advance of the proceeding as set forth above; if defense
counsel is unable to do so, the Court will conduct an inquiry during the proceeding to determine
whether it is appropriate for the Court to add the Defendant’s signature.
Finally, unless there would be a basis to seal the courtroom if the proceeding were
occurring in the courthouse, the Court is inclined to publicly docket this order, with call in
information for the public, in order to ensure the public’s right of access to judicial proceedings.
To that end, the Court intends to docket a version of this Order with call in information for the
public the day before the proceeding. If either party objects, and believes that there is a basis to
keep this Order under seal because the proceeding should not be made public, it must file a letter
motion to that effect by 3 p.m. two days before the proceeding. Relatedly, counsel should confer
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Case 1:20-cr-00234-LAP Document 67 Filed 04/08/21 Page 4 of 6
in advance of sentencing with respect to what portions of the record can be unsealed. In
advance of sentencing, the Government should e-mail to the Court a proposed unsealing order
stating, with specificity, what should be unsealed.
SO ORDERED.
Dated: April 8, 2021 __________________________________
New York, New York LORETTA A. PRESKA
United States District Judge
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Case 1:20-cr-00234-LAP Document 67 Filed 04/08/21 Page 5 of 6
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
-----------------------------------------------------------------X
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WAIVER OF RIGHT TO BE
-v- PRESENT AT CRIMINAL
PROCEEDING
,
Defendant. -CR- ( )( )
-----------------------------------------------------------------X
Check Proceeding that Applies
____ Entry of Plea of Guilty
I am aware that I have been charged with violations of federal law. I have consulted with
my attorney about those charges. I have decided that I wish to enter a plea of guilty to
certain charges. I understand I have a right to appear before a judge in a courtroom in
the Southern District of New York to enter my plea of guilty and to have my attorney
beside me as I do. I am also aware that the public health emergency created by the
COVID-19 pandemic has interfered with travel and restricted access to the federal
courthouse. I have discussed these issues with my attorney. By signing this document, I
wish to advise the court that I willingly give up my right to appear in person before the
judge to enter a plea of guilty. By signing this document, I also wish to advise the court
that I willingly give up any right I might have to have my attorney next to me as I enter my
plea so long as the following conditions are met. I want my attorney to be able to
participate in the proceeding and to be able to speak on my behalf during the proceeding.
I also want the ability to speak privately with my attorney at any time during the
proceeding if I wish to do so.
Date: _________________________ ____________________________
Print Name Signature of Defendant
____ Sentence
I understand that I have a right to appear before a judge in a courtroom in the Southern
District of New York at the time of my sentence and to speak directly in that courtroom
to the judge who will sentence me. I am also aware that the public health emergency
created by the COVID-19 pandemic has interfered with travel and restricted access to the
federal courthouse. I do not wish to wait until the end of this emergency to be sentenced.
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Case 1:20-cr-00234-LAP Document 67 Filed 04/08/21 Page 6 of 6
I have discussed these issues with my attorney and willingly give up my right to be
present, at the time my sentence is imposed, in the courtroom with my attorney and the
judge who will impose that sentence. By signing this document, I wish to advise the court
that I willingly give up my right to appear in a courtroom in the Southern District of New
York for my sentencing proceeding as well as my right to have my attorney next to me at
the time of sentencing on the following conditions. I want my attorney to be able to
participate in the proceeding and to be able to speak on my behalf at the proceeding.
I also want the ability to speak privately with my attorney at any time during the
proceeding if I wish to do so.
Date: _________________________ ____________________________
Print Name Signature of Defendant
I hereby affirm that I am aware of my obligation to discuss with my client the charges against my
client, my client’s rights to attend and participate in the criminal proceedings encompassed by
this waiver, and this waiver and consent form. I affirm that my client knowingly and voluntarily
consents to the proceedings being held with my client and me both participating remotely.
Date: __________________________ _____________________________
Print Name Signature of Defense Counsel
Addendum for a defendant who requires services of an interpreter:
I used the services of an interpreter to discuss these issues with the defendant. The interpreter
also translated this document, in its entirety, to the defendant before the defendant signed it.
The interpreter’s name is: _______________________.
Date: _________________________
Signature of Defense Counsel
Accepted: ________________________
Signature of Judge
Date:
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