Judge Rachel Rancilio
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Exhibits
Adjournments
- Adjournment requests may be made by motion or stipulation, require good cause, and must be submitted at least seven days before the hearing.
- Criminal-proceeding adjournments require the prosecutor’s stipulation and an electronically filed order.
- Criminal and civil trial adjournments must be requested by motion.
- The first request to extend Discovery and Case Evaluation Order dates may receive a 60-day extension by party stipulation, with counsel preparing the stipulated order.
- +1 more
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Proposed trial exhibits should be pre-stickered and remain unmarked for use in the video courtroom.
As this is a video courtroom, please have the proposed exhibits pre-stickered and unmarked.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Each jury instruction must appear on a separate sheet.
Each instruction shall be on a separate sheet.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Photocopied M Civ JI and CJ12d instructions are acceptable only if all blanks are completed and alternatives are selected.
Photocopies of completed M Civ JI’s and CJ12d’s are acceptable provided that blank spaces are completed and any alternatives in the instructions are chosen.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Provide a joint succinct statement as to what the case is about, not to exceed one paragraph and a joint list of witnesses to be called at trial.
Summary: Counsel must provide a joint case summary no longer than one paragraph and a joint list of trial witnesses.
Document Filing Requirements12 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Fourteen days before trial, counsel must provide witness lists identifying actual or probable witnesses, their mode of appearance, and medical-expert practice and specialty information.
Fourteen days before the trial date, counsel shall supply trial witness lists to the Court and all counsel of actual and/or probable witnesses, indicating if in person or by deposition and, for medical experts, the hospital and office where the witness practices and his or her specialty.
Document Type
Trial Witness List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A trial brief must include a concise statement of facts, the issues, the theory of the case, and a memorandum of law.
Submit a Trial Brief containing a brief statement of facts, issues, theory of case and memorandum of law.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A request for facilitation in lieu of case evaluation requires a stipulated order stating the facilitator’s name, facilitation date and time, and placement of a number in the recommendation after obtaining a settlement-conference date from the secretary.
If parties are seeking facilitation in lieu of case evaluation, you must submit a stipulated order including the facilitators name, date and time of facilitation and that a number is to be placed within the facilitator’s recommendation after contacting the secretary to obtain a settlement conference date.
Document Type
Stipulated Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
In jury cases, counsel must submit any desired special questions for prospective jurors to the court in writing.
In jury cases, submit to the Court, in writing, special jury questions that counsel desire to be asked of the prospective jurors.
Document Type
Special Jury Questions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Counsel must meet, confer, and prepare the specified Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 preliminary jury instructions.
Counsel shall meet, confer and prepare the Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 preliminary instructions, including all M Civ JI’s mandated by paragraph 4 of M Civ JI 2.02 and all CJ12d’s mandated by subparagraph 3 of CJ12d 2.3.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Deposition objections must be supported by law and argument.
the objections with supporting law, including argument
Document Type
Deposition Objections
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Counsel must provide a joint list of witnesses to be called at trial.
Provide a joint succinct statement as to what the case is about, not to exceed one paragraph and a joint list of witnesses to be called at trial.
Document Type
Trial Witness List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Any trial stipulations must be prepared in writing for placement on the record.
Prepare stipulations in writing, if any, to be placed on the record.
Document Type
Stipulation
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Counsel shall have stipulations for entry or stated reasons for objections.
Summary: Counsel must prepare stipulations for entry of exhibits or state reasons for objections to them.
Document Type
Exhibits
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
If cases or statutes are cited, a photocopy of the case or statute shall be attached.
Summary: Any case or statute cited in the trial brief must have a photocopy attached.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Counsel shall provide sufficient copies for the Court, all counsel, and each juror.
Summary: Counsel must provide enough jury-instruction copies for the court, all counsel, and each juror.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
If a jury trial, to the extent possible, have completed, typed jury instructions, including a proposed jury verdict form for the Court and all counsel (not just by jury instruction number).
Summary: For a jury trial, counsel should provide completed typed jury instructions and a proposed verdict form to the court and all counsel.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The trial witness list is due to the court and all counsel fourteen days before trial.
Fourteen days before the trial date, counsel shall supply trial witness lists to the Court and all counsel of actual and/or probable witnesses, indicating if in person or by deposition and, for medical experts, the hospital and office where the witness practices and his or her specialty.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
All motions in limine and trial motions must be filed no later than 21 days before trial.
All motions in limine and/or trial motions must be filed no later than 21 days prior to the trial date
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Motions in limine ordinarily must be heard before the trial date rather than on the trial date itself.
Motions in limine will NOT be heard on the day of trial.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Motions filed on the trial date ordinarily will not be entertained.
Motions filed on the day of trial will not be entertained.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Deposition objections filed on the trial date will not be entertained absent good cause.
Objections to depositions filed on the day of trial will not be entertained except for good cause shown.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Responses to motions in limine and trial motions must be filed with the judge and opposing counsel seven days before trial.
with responses to be filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days before the trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Unresolved deposition objections and supporting legal argument must be submitted at least 14 days before trial, with responses filed seven days before trial.
If depositions have objections therein, the parties shall submit to the Judge and opposing counsel no later than 14 days before trial date, the objections with supporting law, including argument, with responses to be filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days before the trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Dispositive motions must be filed and heard before the established cut-off date.
Motions must be filled and heard before this cut-off date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Dispositive motion cut-off
Responses in civil cases are due no later than seven days.
Any/all response(s) due no later than seven days
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Civil cases
A motion in limine ordinarily will be heard on the trial date unless a compelling reason supports an earlier hearing.
All motions in limine will be heard on the day of trial unless a compelling reason for an earlier hearing can be demonstrated.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A request for alternate service must include a verified motion, proposed order, process-server affidavit showing three service attempts, and postal verification.
Requests for alternate service must be accompanied by a verified motion, proposed order, an affidavit of the process server showing three attempts of service of process and a postal verification.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures
A summons-extension request must include a verified motion, proposed order, process-server affidavit showing reasonable service efforts, and postal verification.
Requests to extend the summons must be accompanied by a verified motion, proposed order, and an affidavit of the process server showing reasonable efforts to make service of process, and postal verification.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When practicable, proposed-exhibit copies should be furnished to the court and opposing counsel for trial use.
Whenever practicable, copies shall be furnished to the Court and opposing counsel for use during the trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Judge Rancilio does not require a judge’s copy of motions.
Judge Rancilio does not require a judge’s copy of motions
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Criminal and civil trial adjournments must be requested by motion.
Adjournment of criminal and civil trials must be made by motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Adjournments
Subsequent extensions of scheduling-order dates must be requested by motion and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Any subsequent requests to extend the scheduling order dates must be made by motion and only will be granted upon a showing of good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Scheduling orders
The first request to extend Discovery and Case Evaluation Order dates may receive a 60-day extension by party stipulation, with counsel preparing the stipulated order.
For the first request, Judge Rancilio will permit a 60-day extension of the dates set forth in the Discovery and Case Evaluation Order by stipulation of the parties. Counsel to prepare stipulated order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Scheduling orders
Adjournment requests may be made by motion or stipulation, require good cause, and must be submitted at least seven days before the hearing.
Requests for adjournments may be made by motion or by stipulation and will only be granted upon showing of good cause and must be made at least 7 days prior to the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Adjournments
Criminal-proceeding adjournments require the prosecutor’s stipulation and an electronically filed order.
Adjournments of all criminal proceedings must be stipulated to by the Prosecutor and the order must be submitted via e-filing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Adjournments
Chambers Communication Rules
Attorneys must notify Judge Rancilio’s secretary of a settlement resolution before the settlement conference date.
Attorney(s) must advise Judge Rancilio’s secretary of the resolution prior to the conference date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Settlement conferences