Judge P. Casey Pitts
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
Adjournments
- Requests to continue hearings or CMCs must be made 72 hours in advance.
- Extension requests must be submitted 72 hours in advance with justification, history of previous requests, and proposed order.
- Page limit enlargement requests must be submitted 72 hours in advance with specific opposition deadline.
- Motions for remote hearings by Zoom must be filed one week in advance.
- Allow at least 14 days between final filing and hearing for stipulated briefing schedules.
- Hearings on summary judgment or patent motions should allow 21 days.
- Remote appearance requests must be made by administrative motion at least one week in advance.
- Objections to exhibits due by 5:00 PM day before witness testimony.
- Daily witness/exhibit lists due by 6:00 PM day before trial.
- Deposition excerpts due 5 days before trial (except impeachment/rebuttal).
- Deposition objections due 2 days before trial.
Communication
Chambers
Page & Word Limits7 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Joint Pretrial Statement. In advance of the pretrial conference, the parties shall submit a joint statement of up to 10 pages including the following:
Summary: Joint pretrial statement limited to 10 pages.
Joint Pretrial Statement
10 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Each side may submit up to five motions in limine, each addressing a single, separate topic. Motions shall be identified as "[Party's] Motion in Limine No. [number] re: [topic]." Briefing is limited to five pages per side, and reply briefs are not permitted.
Summary: Up to five motions in limine per side, 5-page briefing limit, no reply briefs.
Motion In Limine
5 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If so, only four briefs will be allowed: o plaintiff(s) opening brief of up to 25 pages; o defense opening/opposition brief of up to 25 pages; o plaintiff opposition/reply brief of up to 20 pages; and o defense reply brief of up to 15 pages.
Summary: Cross-motions for summary judgment allow four briefs with page limits: plaintiff opening (25 pages), defense opening/opposition (25 pages), plaintiff opposition/reply (20 pages), defense reply (15 pages).
Plaintiff Opening Brief
25 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Defense Opening Opposition Brief
25 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Plaintiff Opposition Reply Brief
20 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Defense Reply Brief
15 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The response should add no more than five (5) pages to the statement and must be organized as identified in Attachment A.
Summary: Response to separate statement adds no more than 5 pages and must follow Attachment A organization.
Separate Statement Response
5 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The initial statement shall be no more than 15 pages and must be organized as identified in Attachment A.
Summary: Initial separate statement limited to 15 pages and must follow Attachment A organization.
Separate Statement
15 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The reply shall not introduce any new asserted material facts, and shall add no more than three (3) pages to the statement.
Summary: Reply to separate statement adds no more than 3 pages and must not introduce new facts.
Separate Statement Reply
3 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Requests to enlarge page limits are rarely granted.
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
File each motion, supporting declaration, and exhibit on ECF as a separate searchable PDF with a clear name and description.
Summary: File each motion, declaration, and exhibit as separate searchable PDF with clear name.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Use absolute dates (e.g., Jan. 1, 2024) rather than relative ones (e.g., 60 days after an order).
Summary: Proposed schedules must use absolute dates, not relative dates.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties must use the Ninth Circuit Model Jury Instructions whenever possible. Proposed deviations from the model instructions, no matter how minor, must be clearly identified by redlined or highlighted copy and supported by authority.
Summary: Must use Ninth Circuit Model Jury Instructions with redlines/highlights for deviations
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Exhibits shall be numbered (not lettered) sequentially, with each exhibit identified as "Trial Exhibit No. [number]."
Summary: Trial exhibits must be numbered sequentially, not lettered.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
All citations in the final Statement must reference the docket and include the correct page number as shown in the blue ECF header at the top of the document. All citations should follow this format: [Exhibit Name and pin cite], Dkt. No. [X], at [ECF page number].
Summary: Citations in final separate statement must reference docket number and ECF page number in specified format.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Footnotes must be in at least 12-point type and should be used sparingly.
Summary: Footnotes must be at least 12-point type and used sparingly.
Document Filing Requirements45 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Attach as an exhibit to any amended or proposed amended pleading a redlined document showing the changes made to the previously filed pleading.
Summary: Attach redlined document showing changes to amended pleadings.
Document Type
Amended Pleading
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Citations and factual assertions must be completely accurate. Misrepresentations of law or fact, however subtle, may result in sanctions.
Summary: Citations and factual assertions must be completely accurate.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Motions to Exclude Expert Testimony must be filed by the dispositive motions deadline.
Summary: Motions to Exclude Expert Testimony must be filed by dispositive motions deadline.
Document Type
Motion To Exclude Expert Testimony
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Object to evidence within briefs. Do not file separate pleadings.
Summary: Object to evidence within briefs, not separate pleadings.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If multiple parties file separate opposition briefs to a motion, the moving party must file a single consolidated reply brief complying with the default page limits.
Summary: Moving party must file single consolidated reply brief when multiple opposition briefs are filed.
Document Type
Reply Brief
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Joint Case Management Statements are due 7 days before the conference.
Document Type
Joint Case Management Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Proposed Orders. File proposed orders on ECF as PDFs and email Word versions to pcppo@cand.uscourts.gov. Proposed orders are only necessary for administrative motions, ex parte applications, and motions seeking specific relief.
Summary: Proposed orders required for administrative motions, ex parte applications, and motions seeking specific relief.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Send any demonstratives to opposing counsel and Judge Pitts's CRD (via email) 48 hours in advance.
Summary: Demonstratives must be sent to opposing counsel and CRD via email 48 hours in advance.
Document Type
Demonstratives
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Parties submitting motions for preliminary or final approval of class action settlements must follow these guidelines: https://cand.uscourts.gov/forms/procedural-guidance-for-class-action-settlements/. Parties should include an appendix with their brief that responds to the specific requirements outlined in the guidelines.
Summary: Class action settlement motions must follow specific guidelines and include an appendix.
Document Type
Class Action Settlement Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Proposed orders submitted in connection with motions for injunctive relief should state the specific relief sought. Proposed orders must be both filed on ECF in PDF form and emailed in Word form to pcppo@cand.uscourts.gov. Orders submitted only by email are not deemed filed and may not be seen by the Judge.
Summary: Proposed orders for injunctive relief must be filed on ECF (PDF) and emailed (Word) to specific address.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Proposed orders are not necessary for most substantive motions, such as motions for summary judgment and motions to dismiss. File proposed orders only in connection with administrative motions, ex parte applications, and motions that ask for specific relief (e.g., a motion for a preliminary injunction or an application for a temporary restraining order) or factual findings (e.g., a motion to approve a class settlement or for attorneys’ fees).
Summary: Proposed orders required only for administrative motions, ex parte applications, and motions seeking specific relief or factual findings.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If a plea is being entered pursuant to a plea agreement, government counsel shall email a copy of the plea agreement to Judge Pitts’s Courtroom Deputy Nicole Coleman at pcpcrd@cand.uscourts.gov by 2:00 p.m. the Monday before the plea is to be entered. If there is to be an open plea, counsel for the defendant shall notify the Court by 2:00 p.m. the Monday before the plea is to be entered.
Summary: Plea agreements must be emailed to Courtroom Deputy by 2:00 p.m. Monday before plea; open pleas require notification by same deadline.
Structured details unavailable. See the source text.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Counsel shall comply with Local Rule 17.1-1(b) and file a joint pretrial conference statement not less than seven days prior to the pretrial conference addressing all fifteen issues identified therein. Counsel shall meet and confer in advance on proposed jury instructions, voir dire questions, exhibits, and stipulations, all of which must be attached to their joint pretrial conference statement. Counsel should be prepared to discuss with the Court any anticipated evidentiary objections and any means for shortening and simplifying the trial. Counsel should submit an agreed upon set of additional requested voir dire questions to be posed by the Court. Any voir dire questions on which counsel cannot agree shall be submitted separately.
Summary: Joint pretrial conference statement required 7 days before pretrial conference, addressing 15 issues, with attached jury instructions, voir dire, exhibits, and stipulations.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Conference Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties must attach to their pretrial conference statement a joint set of jury instructions ordered in logical sequence and accompanied by a table of contents.
Summary: Joint jury instructions with table of contents required with pretrial conference statement
Document Type
Pretrial Conference Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Any instruction on which the parties disagree should be marked as 'disputed' and in the place where the proposing party believes the instruction should be given. Disputed instructions must be followed by concise argument and authority in support of and against the use of the instruction.
Summary: Disputed instructions must be marked 'disputed' with concise argument and authority
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Special instructions, if any, must be complete, accurate, balanced, clear, and non-argumentative.
Summary: Special instructions must be complete, accurate, balanced, clear, and non-argumentative
Document Type
Special Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Joint Trial Availability Statement. At least one week before the trial setting conference, the parties shall file a joint statement specifying their joint availability for trial and an estimate of the total number of hours or days needed for trial.
Summary: Parties must file joint trial availability statement one week before trial setting conference.
Document Type
Joint Trial Availability Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Joint Filing of Trial Exhibits. The parties shall prepare a single set of all trial exhibits, expert reports of testifying experts, and deposition transcripts of testifying witnesses that will be the official record and, if applicable, used on appeal.
Summary: Single joint filing required for all trial exhibits and expert reports.
Document Type
Joint Filing Of Trial Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Proposed verdict form: A single agreed upon proposed verdict form if possible, or separate proposed verdict forms if the parties cannot reach agreement.
Summary: Proposed verdict form required (joint if possible, separate if not).
Document Type
Proposed Verdict Form
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Before submitting trial exhibits, the parties shall meet and confer in person to consider exhibit numbers, eliminate duplicates, and minimize confusion, and make a good faith effort to stipulate to admissibility.
Summary: Parties must meet and confer in person before submitting trial exhibits.
Document Type
Trial Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Preliminary statement: A one-paragraph joint statement of the case to be read at voir dire.
Summary: One-paragraph preliminary statement required for jury voir dire.
Document Type
Preliminary Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Proposed jury instructions: A joint set of proposed jury instructions. Proposed instructions should follow the Ninth Circuit Model Jury Instructions to the extent possible, and any deviations must be indicated.
Summary: Joint proposed jury instructions following Ninth Circuit Model Instructions.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Proposed jury questions: A list of up to nine agreed-upon questions to be asked in the online questionnaire that will be sent to prospective jurors before jury selection.
Summary: Up to nine proposed jury questions required for online questionnaire.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Questions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
At minimum, absent a legitimate objection, the parties shall make every effort to stipulate to authenticity and foundation.
Summary: Parties must make good faith effort to stipulate to authenticity and foundation.
Document Type
Trial Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Proposed voir dire questions: A list of agreed upon-questions to be posed by the Court after initial voir dire. The parties should formulate these questions such that they require only "yes"/"no" answers enabling jurors to raise their hands in response.
Summary: Agreed-upon voir dire questions requiring yes/no answers.
Document Type
Proposed Voir Dire Questions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
List of involved individuals: A list of all people involved in this case (including counsel, parties, and potential witnesses) to be shared during jury selection.
Summary: List of all involved individuals required for jury selection.
Document Type
List Of Involved Individuals
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If the parties plan to bring special equipment into the courthouse (e.g., printers, monitors, other large objects or unusual technology), the parties must submit a joint administrative motion seeking permission to bring in said special equipment.
Summary: Joint motion required for special equipment in courthouse.
Document Type
Special Equipment Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties must provide agreed-upon transcripts of any audio or video exhibits used at trial by the day offered.
Summary: Transcripts required for audio/video exhibits on day offered.
Document Type
Audio Video Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties shall also email pcppo@cand.uscourts.gov and pcpchambers@cand.uscourts.gov an editable spreadsheet identifying the deposition page and line number(s) for each objection.
Summary: Spreadsheet required for deposition objections via email.
Document Type
Deposition Objections
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
At least five days prior to the commencement of trial, the parties shall deliver to the Courtroom Deputy two USB drives that each contain one set of exhibits, with each exhibit as a separate file.
Summary: Digital exhibit copies required on USB drives 5 days before trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The Court security officers will not permit entrance of special equipment without a court order.
Summary: Special equipment requires court order for courthouse entry.
Document Type
Special Equipment
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
No exhibits may be submitted with the letter other than any discovery request or response that is the subject of the letter.
Summary: Only discovery requests or responses may be attached as exhibits to the joint discovery letter.
Document Type
Joint Discovery Letter
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
The parties should plan to make such paper copies available for the Court’s use if requested.
Summary: Paper copies of exhibits must be available if requested.
Document Type
Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Objections to evidence must be contained within the objecting party’s brief. Judge Pitts does not consider objections filed as a separate pleading.
Summary: Evidentiary objections must be included in the party's brief, not filed as a separate document.
Document Type
Brief
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Each separate statement must be signed by counsel or unrepresented party who has reviewed the document and attests as follows: I attest that the evidence cited herein fairly and accurately supports or disputes the facts as asserted.
Summary: Each separate statement must include an attestation signed by counsel or unrepresented party with specific language.
Document Type
Separate Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Upon filing any motion for summary judgment, the moving party shall provide a Separate Statement of Undisputed Facts to all other parties in a word-processing format. The statement should not be filed on the docket at that time.
Summary: Moving party must provide separate statement in word-processing format to all parties; statement should not be filed on docket initially.
Document Type
Separate Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
The initial statement shall be no more than 15 pages and must be organized as identified in Attachment A.
Summary: Initial separate statement must be organized as identified in Attachment A.
Document Type
Separate Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
The separate statement shall not include any supporting argument or be used to circumvent applicable page limits. Facts that are not cited in the summary judgment briefs will not be considered.
Summary: Separate statement must not contain argument; facts not cited in briefs will not be considered.
Document Type
Separate Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
The response should add no more than five (5) pages to the statement and must be organized as identified in Attachment A.
Summary: Response to separate statement must be organized as identified in Attachment A.
Document Type
Separate Statement Response
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
The reply shall not introduce any new asserted material facts, and shall add no more than three (3) pages to the statement.
Summary: Reply to separate statement must not introduce new asserted material facts.
Document Type
Separate Statement Reply
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Submit a joint appendix of evidence if possible. Where each party relies on the same exhibit, cite an already filed exhibit rather than filing a duplicate.
Summary: Submit joint appendix of evidence if possible; cite existing exhibits instead of duplicates.
Document Type
Joint Appendix
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Rule 15 requires the Court to “freely give leave” to amend “when justice so requires.” Do not unreasonably withhold consent to amendment.
Summary: Do not unreasonably withhold consent to amendment under Rule 15.
Document Type
Amendment
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Cases will generally not be referred for a settlement conference with a magistrate judge unless the parties have already completed a different form of ADR.
Summary: Settlement conferences with magistrate judges require prior completion of ADR.
Document Type
Settlement Conference
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Judge Pitts prefers Westlaw citations.
Document Type
Motion
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The attorney appearing at a CMC need not be lead counsel but must have full authority to make decisions about any issue that may arise.
Summary: Attorney at CMC must have full authority to make decisions.
Document Type
Case Management Conference
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Joint discovery letter must be filed no more than 7 days after the discovery cutoff.
The letter must be filed as soon as possible, but under no circumstances may it be filed more than 7 days after the applicable discovery cutoff, per Civil Local Rule 37-3.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Discovery Disputes Not Referred to the Magistrate Judge
Parties must stipulate to a briefing schedule that allows at least 21 days between the final filing and the hearing.
Stipulate in advance to a schedule that allows at least 21 days between the final filing and the hearing.
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Page 1 | SCHEDULE
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Chambers copies only when requested; if ordered, must be double-sided, three-hole punched, with ECF stamp, labeled exhibits, and proper binder for thick exhibits.
Chambers copies shall not be submitted unless the Court requests them. The Court may at times specifically order the parties to provide digital chambers copies on portable media (e.g., a CD or flash drive). In rare instances, the Court may request paper chambers copies for particularly voluminous filings. If the Court does so, the chambers copies should be double-sided (when possible) and three-hole punched along the left side of the page, and should bear the ECF filing “stamp” (case number, docket number, date, and ECF page number) along the top of the page. All exhibits shall be clearly delineated with labels along the right side. If the filing includes exhibits over two inches thick, the parties shall place the paper chambers copies in a binder. The chambers copies shall be marked “Chambers Copy” and submitted to the Clerk’s Office, in an envelope marked with “Judge Pitts,” the case number, and “Chambers Copy.”
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | CHAMBERS COPIES
Do not submit chambers copies unless specifically requested.
Do not submit chambers copies unless requested.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS & BRIEFING
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Multiple sealing motions must be consolidated into a single joint motion.
If the briefing on a substantive motion includes multiple sealing motions, Judge Pitts requires a single joint motion that consolidates all requests.
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Page 3 | SEALING MOTIONS
Sealing motions must comply with Local Rule 79-5 and provide specific arguments for sealing.
Any motion to seal must comply with Local Rule 79-5 and state whether the compelling reasons or good cause standard applies and why. Make arguments specific to the portions of documents sought to be sealed. Blanket or generic statements like 'competitive harm' are almost never sufficient.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | SEALING MOTIONS
Highlight redactions for partially sealed documents and label entirely sealed documents.
Highlight proposed redactions to any documents sought to be filed partially under seal. Label documents sought to be entirely sealed accordingly.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | SEALING MOTIONS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must file a joint discovery letter (max 5 pages) stating the dispute, with proposed orders from both sides, and no exhibits except discovery requests/responses.
If the parties cannot resolve their discovery dispute after a good faith effort, they shall prepare and file a joint letter of no longer than 5 pages stating the nature and status of their dispute. Both sides must submit proposed orders as well. No exhibits may be submitted with the letter other than any discovery request or response that is the subject of the letter.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Discovery Disputes Not Referred to the Magistrate Judge
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Allow at least 14 days between final filing and hearing for stipulated briefing schedules.
Parties may stipulate to a motion briefing schedule that differs from the default. Allow at least 14 days between the final filing and the hearing.
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Page 2 | MOTIONS & BRIEFING
Proposed schedule must allow max 24 months to trial-setting conference and min 20 weeks from dispositive motions.
When proposing dates, allow: no more than 24 months between the initial CMC and the trial-setting conference (absent justification); at least 20 weeks between the dispositive motion filing deadline and trial-setting conference;
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Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES & SCHEDULES
Hearings on summary judgment or patent motions should allow 21 days.
Hearings on motions for summary judgment or substantive motions in patent cases should allow 21 days.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS & BRIEFING
Requests to continue hearings or CMCs must be made 72 hours in advance.
Requests to continue a hearing or CMC are due 72 hours in advance.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING
Case schedules and trial dates will only be modified for good cause.
Once set, case schedules and trial dates will only be modified for good cause.
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Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES & SCHEDULES
Extension requests must be submitted 72 hours in advance with justification, history of previous requests, and proposed order.
Submit motions/stipulations to extend dates and deadlines at least 72 hours before the date at issue. Requests must: • Explain the justification (Judge Pitts is unlikely to approve changes without good cause, and without a compelling showing of good cause for changes to trial dates); • State how many extensions have previously been requested, and indicate the Court’s rulings on those requests; and • Include a proposed order listing all future deadlines in the case schedule incorporating the proposed modifications.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Remote appearance requests must be made by administrative motion at least one week in advance.
Requests to appear remotely via Zoom for a hearing must be made by administrative motion (not stipulation) at least one week in advance.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page limit enlargement requests must be submitted 72 hours in advance with specific opposition deadline.
Submit motions/stipulations to enlarge page limits at least 72 hours before the relevant filing is due. If a request is made by administrative motion rather than stipulation, any opposition must be filed by the sooner of: (a) 12:00pm one business day before the filing deadline, or (b) the time allowed by Civil Local Rule 7-11.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Sentencing memoranda due 7 days before sentencing; responses due 5 days before
If a party chooses to submit a Sentencing Memorandum to the Court, it must be filed at least seven calendar days before the date on which Judgement and Sentencing is scheduled. Responses to Sentencing Memoranda shall be filed at least five calendar days before the date on which Judgement and Sentencing is scheduled.
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Page 4 | SENTENCING MEMORANDA
Objections to exhibits due by 5:00 PM day before witness testimony.
By 5:00 P.M. on the day before those witnesses are called, opposing counsel shall provide any objections to the listed exhibits and shall exchange a list of exhibits to be used with the listed witness(es) on cross-examination (other than for impeachment).
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Deposition excerpts due 5 days before trial (except impeachment/rebuttal).
At least five days prior to the commencement of trial, the parties shall file and serve any excerpts of deposition testimony to be offered at trial, other than solely for impeachment or rebuttal.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Deposition objections due 2 days before trial.
Any objections to the use of designated excerpts and any counter-designations of deposition testimony shall be filed and served no later than two days prior to the commencement of trial.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Daily witness/exhibit lists due by 6:00 PM day before trial.
Counsel shall, by 6:00 P.M. on the day preceding each trial day, notify the Court of: (1) the list of planned witnesses in the order that they will be called, (2) the list of any exhibits to be offered and whether the parties stipulate to their admissibility and authenticity, and (3) a separate list of any objections to witnesses or exhibits that may be called or offered into evidence.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Daily transcript requests must be arranged before pretrial conference.
Requests for a daily transcript or real-time reporting, if desired, must be arranged before the date of the pretrial conference through the Court’s website, https://cand.uscourts.gov/about/clerks-office/transcripts-court-reporters/transcript-forms/.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Motions for remote hearings by Zoom must be filed one week in advance.
Motions to have a remote hearing by Zoom are due one week in advance and are not always granted.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING
Initial CMC may be held 60+ days after hearing if dispositive motion pending.
If a pending motion to dismiss is dispositive of an entire case, the parties may stipulate to hold the initial CMC 60 days or more after the hearing.
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Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES & SCHEDULES
Chambers Communication Rules
Must confirm Judge Pitts's availability before noticing any motion.
Confirm Judge Pitts’s availability before noticing any motion.
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Page 1 | COMMUNICATING WITH CHAMBERS
Motions may be noticed for Thursdays at 10:00 AM with 35-day notice.
Motions may be noticed for any Thursday at 10:00 AM subject to the availability of Judge Pitts (listed in his Scheduling Notes) and the 35-day notice period.
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Page 2 | SCHEDULING
No ex parte communication with Judge Pitts or chambers staff without advance authorization; contact Courtroom Deputy for scheduling inquiries.
Parties and counsel shall not engage in any ex parte communication with Judge Pitts or his chambers staff by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, or any other means, unless such contact has been authorized in advance. Parties and counsel may contact Judge Pitts’s Courtroom Deputy Nicole Coleman at (408) 535-5346 or pcpcrd@cand.uscourts.gov with any inquiries regarding scheduling or any other matter.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT
Email Word versions of jury instructions, voir dire, and verdict form to pcppo@cand.uscourts.gov
The parties must e-mail Word versions of the proposed jury instructions, voir dire questions, and verdict form to pcppo@cand.uscourts.gov.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 3 | JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Contact court reporter coordinator at least one week before trial for transcripts
If transcripts will be requested during or immediately after the trial, arrangements must be made with the Court Reporter Coordinator at (408) 535-5583 at least one week prior to the commencement of the trial.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 4 | TRANSCRIPTS
Exchange opening statement visuals by Wednesday before trial; objections by Thursday; phone availability Friday
Parties must meet and confer to exchange any visuals, graphics, or exhibits to be used in opening statements. Unless otherwise agreed, the exchange must occur no later than the close of business on the Wednesday before trial. Any objections not resolved must be filed in writing by the Thursday before trial. The parties shall be available by telephone on the Friday before trial to discuss the issues raised with the Court.
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Page 4 | OPENING STATEMENTS
Notify court 30 days before trial if interpreter needed for witness
Counsel must notify the Court at least 30 days in advance of trial if any witness requires an interpreter and there is no certified court interpreter to translate in the necessary language(s).
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 4 | INTERPRETERS
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
Senior attorney may provide additional argument if needed.
Judge Pitts will allow additional argument from a senior attorney if needed.
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Page 3 | HEARINGS
Notify CRD two weeks in advance if junior attorney (under 7 years) will argue.
Notify Judge Pitts's CRD two weeks in advance if an attorney with less than 7 years of experience will argue. Judge Pitts will consider this in deciding whether to hold a hearing.
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Page 3 | HEARINGS