Judge Craig M. Straw
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
All filings
- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Continuance requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the settlement conference notice.
Communication
Chambers
Letter via ECF
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits3 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Memoranda must not exceed twenty-five (25) pages in length (excluding table of contents and appendices), must be double spaced and must use 12-point Times New Roman font. Memoranda over fifteen (15) pages in length must include a table of contents and table of authorities.
Summary: Memoranda limited to 25 pages (excluding TOC/appendices), double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman; TOC/TOA required for memos over 15 pages.
Memorandum
25 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Straw will permit reply briefs not to exceed fifteen (15) pages.
Summary: Reply briefs are limited to 15 pages.
Reply Brief
15 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The synopsis will include a candid discussion of the submitting party’s factual and legal strengths and weaknesses in the case as well as an offer/demand settlement proposal and IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN FIVE (5) PAGES.
Summary: Settlement conference synopsis limited to 5 pages.
Settlement Conference Synopsis
5 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Document Filing Requirements27 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Straw requires a letter brief requesting an extension.
Summary: Extension requests must be made via letter brief.
Document Type
Extension Request
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Memoranda over fifteen (15) pages in length must include a table of contents and table of authorities.
Summary: Memoranda over 15 pages require table of contents and table of authorities.
Document Type
Memorandum
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Every assertion of fact in a memorandum must be supported by a citation to the record where that fact may be found. Both legal citations and citations to the record must include pinpoint cites.
Summary: All factual assertions in memoranda must be supported by pinpoint citations to the record.
Document Type
Memorandum
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Settlement conferences are scheduled by order of the Court and are not discretionary. Counsel and participants should use all efforts to be available for this conference.
Summary: Settlement conferences are mandatory and not discretionary.
Document Type
Settlement Conference
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Straw requires counsel to submit joint proposed jury instructions, noting areas of agreement as well as objections.
Summary: Submit joint proposed jury instructions with areas of agreement and objections.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Counsel will submit a jointly prepared verdict form or proposed special interrogatories in accordance with the deadline set forth in the scheduling order.
Summary: Submit jointly prepared verdict form or special interrogatories by scheduling order deadline.
Document Type
Verdict Form
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Straw requires counsel to submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in non-jury cases at the final pretrial conference or at such a date as set forth in a scheduling order.
Summary: Submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law at final pretrial conference or scheduling order deadline.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
A copy of the interrogatories shall be given to the jury during their deliberations.
Summary: Provide copy of interrogatories to jury during deliberations.
Document Type
Interrogatories
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Sentencing memoranda are due to Judge Straw one (1) week before the scheduled sentencing.
Summary: Sentencing memoranda due one week before scheduled sentencing.
Document Type
Sentencing Memorandum
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Counsel must provide the courtroom deputy with their phone number.
Summary: Counsel must provide phone number to courtroom deputy.
Document Type
Counsel Availability
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Straw requires the parties to engage in good faith settlement discussions prior to the submission of the written conference summary. Upon submission of the written conference summary and prior to the conference, the parties are required to update their settlement positions and submit a joint letter setting forth updated positions to Judge Straw.
Summary: Good faith settlement discussions required before summary; updated positions in joint letter before conference.
Document Type
Joint Letter Updated Positions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Straw requires counsel to submit a brief written conference summary one week before the scheduled conference. In addition, the parties must provide the Court with an updated demand and offer four (4) days before the scheduled conference. The summary should not exceed five (5) pages, excluding attachments. If attachments are over 20 pages, a hard copy is to be sent to Judge Straw chambers by the date the summaries are due.
Summary: Settlement conference requires 5-page summary (1 week before) and updated demand/offer (4 days before).
Document Type
Settlement Conference Summary
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Judge Straw will not take part in settlement discussions in a non-jury matter. A settlement conference may, however, be arranged with another magistrate judge.
Summary: Judge Straw does not conduct settlement conferences in non-jury matters.
Document Type
Settlement Conference
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Straw will accept in limine motions in advance of the final pretrial conference and in accordance with his scheduling order so as to give him an opportunity to consider the merits of the motion.
Summary: In limine motions accepted before final pretrial conference per scheduling order.
Document Type
In Limine Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Counsel is encouraged, however, to provide the Court with only the essential and relevant portions of bulky exhibits, together with sufficient material to provide context for the relevant portion of the exhibits.
Summary: Provide only essential portions of bulky exhibits with context.
Document Type
Exhibits
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Judge Straw expects counsel to reach agreement in advance as to the admission of exhibits.
Summary: Reach agreement in advance on exhibit admission.
Document Type
Exhibits
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Judge Straw prefers use of the Third Circuit Model Jury Instructions whenever possible.
Summary: Use Third Circuit Model Jury Instructions when possible.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
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Judge Straw will encourage counsel to agree upon a less than unanimous verdict.
Summary: Judge encourages agreement on less than unanimous verdict.
Document Type
Verdict Form
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
A supplementation will be permitted at the close of trial or, in an appropriate case, after trial.
Summary: Supplementation of proposed findings permitted at close of trial or after trial.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Straw will permit counsel to interview jurors, but only after the verdict has been recorded, the jury has been discharged and they have been told in clear terms that they have no obligation to speak with counsel.
Summary: Permit juror interviews after verdict recorded, jury discharged, and told no obligation to speak.
Document Type
Juror Interviews
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Straw will not require counsel to remain in the courthouse during deliberations but will require counsel to be available on short telephone notice.
Summary: Counsel not required to stay in courthouse but must be available by phone.
Document Type
Counsel Availability
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Straw will submit written interrogatories to the jury in the appropriate case.
Summary: Judge submits written interrogatories to jury in appropriate cases.
Document Type
Interrogatories
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Judge Straw will, if requested, permit the jury to be polled.
Summary: Judge permits jury polling if requested.
Document Type
Jury Polling
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Judge Straw will seek the input of counsel and will then make a determination on a case-by-case basis when requests are made to read back testimony or replay tapes.
Summary: Judge seeks counsel input on read-back requests, decides case-by-case.
Document Type
Read Back Requests
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Straw has no usual practice with respect to taking a verdict.
Summary: No usual practice for taking verdict.
Document Type
Verdict
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Straw will consider what exhibits should be sent out to the jury during their deliberations on a case-by-case basis.
Summary: Judge considers exhibit submission to jury on case-by-case basis.
Document Type
Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Straw has no particular practice or policy on submitting a copy of instructions to the jury.
Summary: No specific practice on submitting jury instructions to jury.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of motions required via email; hard copy if exhibits over 20 pages.
Judge Straw requires a courtesy copy of all motion papers to be sent directly to chambers via email. If exhibits are over 20 pages, a hard copy must be sent to chambers.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Filing Bundling Requirements
One set of pre-marked trial exhibits required; provide two copies to Judge.
Counsel are to meet and confer to prepare one set of pre-marked trial exhibits for use at trial. The use of duplicate exhibits at trial is discouraged as inefficient and confusing. Counsel should provide Judge Straw with two (2)
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Page 8 | Preparation of Exhibits
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Sur-reply briefs require prior permission by letter brief.
Judge Straw will not normally permit sur-reply briefs and counsel desiring to file a sur-reply must first seek permission of the Court by letter brief, before such a brief will be accepted.
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Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuance requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the settlement conference notice.
For this reason, any continuance requests should be made within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the notice scheduling the conference.
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Page 5 | Continuances
Continuance requests for settlement conferences require compelling reasons.
Continuance requests will only be granted for the most compelling reasons.
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Page 5 | Continuances
Discovery period typically 90-120 days, subject to extension.
Judge Straw normally permits from ninety (90) to one hundred and twenty days (21) for the completion of discovery; however, he will consider the informed view of counsel as to the time that will be required for discovery in a particular case.
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Chambers Communication Rules
All relevant documents must be emailed to Chambers and Donna Croce before court.
Judge Straw requires that all relevant documents be emailed to Chambers at Mag_Judge_Straw@paed.uscourts.gov and Donna Croce at Donna_M_Croce@paed.uscourts.gov in advance of court. Counsel may contact Donna Croce (267-299-7661) if there are any questions regarding the matters before the Court.
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Page 11 | IV. GENERAL MATTERS
In-person attendance required at settlement conferences; virtual allowed if court determines appropriate.
Judge Straw requires in-person attendance at the conference by the parties or the parties’ representatives, with knowledge of the case and settlement authority. If Judge Straw determines that a virtual conference is appropriate, he will set forth the type of conference on the settlement conference order and the same requirements will apply.
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Counsel may communicate with courtroom deputy/law clerks on scheduling/administrative matters only, not case merits.
Judge Straw permits counsel to communicate with his courtroom deputy and law clerks on scheduling and administrative matters, but never on the merits of a case.
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Page 1 | I. PRELIMINARY GENERAL MATTERS - B. Communications with Courtroom Deputy and Law Clerks
Correspondence permitted if all counsel receive copies; letter motions sometimes allowed instead of formal motions.
Judge Straw permits correspondence from counsel on any matters as long as all other counsel in the matter are sent copies of such correspondence. Judge Straw sometimes permits letter motions in lieu of formal motions.
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Page 1 | I. PRELIMINARY GENERAL MATTERS - A. Correspondence with the Court
Telephone conferences preferred for scheduling, extensions, and routine discovery disputes; counsel must initiate by contacting courtroom deputy.
Judge Straw prefers telephone conferences to be utilized for matters such as scheduling conferences, scheduling changes, extensions of time and routine discovery disputes. It will be the responsibility of all counsel seeking relief to initiate any such conference by contacting the Judge’s classroom deputy, Donna Croce.
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Page 1 | I. PRELIMINARY GENERAL MATTERS - D. Telephone Conferences
Judge Straw may continue settlement discussions after the conference if needed.
Judge Straw will, if appropriate, continue to work with counsel after the settlement conference if the matter is not resolved at the conference.
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Page 5 | Follow-up Contact
Discovery disputes should be resolved without court intervention; conferences available if needed.
Judge Straw expects the parties to resolve discovery disputes without Court intervention. Should counsel be unable, in good faith, to resolve their dispute, Judge Straw permits contact with the Court through his courtroom deputy to set up telephone or chambers conferences to resolve outstanding issues.
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