Judge Jeffery D. McFarland
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Document Format Requirements5 rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
The Parties shall place exhibits in three ring binders, with tabs to separate each exhibit. There shall be a binder for each party, the Court Clerk, the Judge and the witness stand. In a typical two-party case this shall require 5 separate, fully numbered and tabbed exhibit binders.
Summary: Exhibits must be placed in tabbed three-ring binders, with a separate binder for each party, the Court Clerk, the Judge, and the witness stand (five binders in a typical two-party case).
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Plaintiffs shall number exhibits beginning with Exhibit 1 and Defendants shall number exhibits beginning with Exhibit 101. Letters shall not be used. Letters shall not be used to designate subparts. Each separate exhibit shall bear only a numeric designation. (Rule 3.53.) Multiple page exhibits shall have page numbers on each page so as to facilitate reference to the document during interrogation of the witnesses. Separate documents shall not be grouped together as one exhibit or as subparts to one exhibit. Each shall be separately numbered.
Summary: Plaintiff exhibits are numbered starting at Exhibit 1 and defendant exhibits at Exhibit 101 using numeric designations only; multi-page exhibits must be paginated and separate documents may not be grouped together.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
All Motions in limine must be in writing and be accompanied by a declaration in compliance with Local Rule 3.57.
Summary: Motions in limine must be submitted in writing rather than orally.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All Exhibits must be pre-numbered (1, 2, 3, etc.) and exchanged except for those anticipated in good faith to be used for impeachment. (Rule 3.52.) Plaintiffs shall number exhibits beginning with Exhibit 1 and Defendants shall number exhibits beginning with Exhibit 101. Letters shall not be used. Letters shall not be used to designate subparts. Each separate exhibit shall bear only a numeric designation. (Rule 3.53.) Multiple page exhibits shall have page numbers on each page so as to facilitate reference to the document during interrogation of the witnesses. Separate documents shall not be grouped together as one exhibit or as subparts to one exhibit. Each shall be separately numbered.
Summary: Exhibits must be pre-numbered numerically (plaintiffs start at 1, defendants at 101), with no letters, no grouping, multiple pages numbered, exchanged except impeachment exhibits.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The Parties shall place exhibits in three ring binders, with tabs to separate each exhibit. There shall be a binder for each party, the Court Clerk, the Judge and the witness stand. In a typical two-party case this shall require 5 separate, fully numbered and tabbed exhibit binders.
Summary: Parties must place exhibits in tabbed three-ring binders, with one binder for each party, clerk, judge, and witness stand (5 total in typical two-party cases).
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
All Motions in limine must be in writing and be accompanied by a declaration in compliance with Local Rule 3.57.
Summary: Every motion in limine must be accompanied by a declaration complying with Local Rule 3.57.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Counsel shall prepare and submit proposed jury instructions. (See C.C.P. § 607a.) Counsel shall meet and confer in an attempt to reach agreement on the proposed jury instructions. Counsel must identify those jury instructions that they agree shall be given and shall identify those proposed instructions as to which there is disagreement. As to disputed proposed instructions the parties are encouraged to submit legal briefs setting forth the legal basis for the request and objection.
Summary: Counsel must prepare, submit, and meet and confer on proposed jury instructions, identifying agreed and disputed instructions.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All Motions in limine must be in writing and be accompanied by a declaration in compliance with Local Rule 3.57.
Summary: All in limine motions must be written and accompanied by a declaration complying with Local Rule 3.57.
Document Type
In Limine Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Trial briefs are encouraged but not required. In cases where an issue is not typical or may be technical in nature, the parties should prepare trial briefs that address important issues in the case.
Summary: Trial briefs are encouraged but not required, particularly for non-typical or technical issues.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Counsel must fully comply with paragraphs 14-17 of the Fifth Amended Standing Order, and all documents required by Paragraph 15 must be prepared in advance of the first trial date.
Counsel shall fully comply with the Standing Order (Fifth Amended Standing Order (effective as of June 1, 2021)) as it relates to trials, paragraphs 14, 15, 16 and 17. All documents required by Paragraph 15 of the Standing Order shall be prepared in advance of the first trial date.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Order for Trials in Department 617
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Exhibits must be pre-numbered and exchanged between the parties before trial, except exhibits anticipated in good faith to be used for impeachment.
All Exhibits must be pre-numbered (1, 2, 3, etc.) and exchanged except for those anticipated in good faith to be used for impeachment. (Rule 3.52.)
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Exhibits
Exhibits must be exchanged between opposing parties except those anticipated for impeachment use.
All Exhibits must be pre-numbered (1, 2, 3, etc.) and exchanged except for those anticipated in good faith to be used for impeachment. (Rule 3.52.)
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | 2. Exhibits