Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 640 rules apply across Los Angeles Superior Court. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 155
  • Applies to
    Electronic filing
    Must include
    electronic signature

    All electronic filings must comply with California Rules of Court Rule 2.257 (electronic signature requirements).

  • Applies to
    Referee report

    Referee reports for pretrial matters must include a place for the judge to enter an order if accepted.

  • Applies to
    Paternity questionnaire

    Paternity questionnaire must be completed by mother and father and filed with the court in all dependency cases.

Filing Timing

All 137
  • Electronic filings received between 12:00 am and 11:59:59 pm on a court day are deemed filed that day; filings on non-court days deemed filed next court day.

  • If e-filing fails due to service interruption, non-filer transmission error, or post-receipt processing failure, the court may order the document deemed filed as of the attempted transmission date.

  • Deadline
    1 calendar days

    Ex parte applications and supporting documents must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.

Service

All 93
  • Service
    Other to other

    Parties must file documents with court and provide copies to temporary judge/referee.

  • Applies to
    Laciv 109 copy
    Service
    Other to opposing party

    Copy of completed LACIV 109 form must be served with summons and complaint or petition.

  • Applies to
    Motion to relate cases
    Service
    Other

    Motions to relate cases must be served on all parties listed in the Notice of Related Cases with proof of service attached.

E-Filing

All 58
  • Represented litigants must electronically file all documents through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP).

  • Certain document types (peremptory challenges, bonds, trial exhibits, certain ex parte applications, conditionally sealed documents) are prohibited from electronic filing.

  • Applies to
    Notice of lodgment

    Notice of Lodgment must be electronically filed; attachments to Notice of Lodgment must be lodged in paper form.

About Judge Sabina A. Helton

Judge Sabina A. Helton is a judge on the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, the state trial court serving Los Angeles County.

This judge's procedures are published through the court's general rules.

Common questions about Judge Sabina A. Helton's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Sabina A. Helton?

The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Sabina A. Helton. Courtesy copies are required only when requested by the court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section DOCUMENTS

Does Judge Sabina A. Helton require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Sabina A. Helton's rules set a pre-motion procedure for ex parte applications. Ex parte applications do not require a reservation on the Court Reservation System (CRS).

View ruleSource: page 1, section DOCUMENTS

What page or word limits apply to trial brief before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Judge Sabina A. Helton's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Separate trial briefs are limited to 5 pages.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Joint Trial Documents

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Judge Sabina A. Helton's formatting rule includes clean format, no brackets, no blank spaces, and no multiple pronoun options (he/she, him/her). Jury instructions must be in clean format with no brackets, blank spaces, or multiple pronoun options.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Joint Trial Documents

How may parties contact Judge Sabina A. Helton's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Sabina A. Helton's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Email communication with the court is prohibited unless explicitly directed otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Communication

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Judge Sabina A. Helton's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. Continuances are permitted via stipulation and order or ex parte application; telephone continuances are prohibited.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Continuation/Off Calendar Policy

Does Judge Sabina A. Helton require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Sabina A. Helton requires bundling for covered papers. Counsel must provide the court with two trial notebooks containing all trial documents.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Trial Notebooks

Is electronic filing required before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Default packages must be filed electronically.

View ruleSource: page 1, section DOCUMENTS

Are filing fees or waivers addressed before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

A fee is required for covered filings. Parties requesting a jury must deposit a jury fee 25 days prior to trial and pay daily fees by check before trial starts each day.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Jury Fees

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

The rule states a 10:00 a.m. filing cutoff. Ex parte applications must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section DOCUMENTS
Complete rules summary for Judge Sabina A. Helton

Courtesy copies are required only when requested by the court.

Default packages must be filed electronically.

Trial documents must be filed electronically.

Separate trial briefs are limited to 5 pages.

Orders must be filed electronically.

Ex parte applications must be eFiled by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.

Ex parte applications must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.

Only self-represented litigants may file ex parte applications in the Clerk's Office on the day of the ex parte hearing.

Ex parte applications do not require a reservation on the Court Reservation System (CRS).

Trial documents are due 10 days prior to the Final Status Conference.

Judgments must be filed electronically.

Judgments are held for 15 days after filing to allow for objections.

Continuances are permitted via stipulation and order or ex parte application; telephone continuances are prohibited.

Email communication with the court is prohibited unless explicitly directed otherwise.

Motions in limine must be filed 10 days prior to the Final Status Conference; opposition and reply must be filed timely, and late motions will not be considered.

Jury instructions must be in clean format with no brackets, blank spaces, or multiple pronoun options.

Counsel must provide the court with two trial notebooks containing all trial documents.

Separate exhibit books must be provided for the judge, clerk, witness, and counsel, and brought to the start of trial.

Exhibits must be pre-marked with an exhibit number and have a page number on each page.

Parties requesting a jury must deposit a jury fee 25 days prior to trial and pay daily fees by check before trial starts each day.

Plaintiff's counsel must call the court by 3:00 p.m. the day before trial to confirm the trial is proceeding, or face sanctions.

Parties must meet and confer to resolve evidentiary issues before filing motions in limine.

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