**Judge Josephine L. Staton** was appointed to the Central District of California by President Barack Obama in 2010. She sits in the Southern Division in Santa Ana. Staton was born in 1961 in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from William Jewell College and earned her law degree from Harvard Law School, then clerked for Judge John R. Gibson on the Eighth Circuit. She spent 15 years at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco and Newport Beach, becoming a partner in 1995. Governor Gray Davis appointed her to the Orange County Superior Court in 2002, where she was based in Santa Ana. **Education** - Harvard Law School, J.D., 1986 - William Jewell College, B.A., 1983 **Career** - Law clerk, Judge John R. Gibson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1986–1987 - Associate and partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP, San Francisco and Newport Beach, 1987–2002 - Judge, Superior Court of California, Orange County, 2002–2010 (appointed by Governor Gray Davis) - U.S. District Judge, Central District of California, 2010–present
**Courthouse:** Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 411 W. 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 **Division:** Southern Division (Santa Ana) **Chambers Staff** - Chambers Email: JLS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov
Courtesy copies are required for witness lists and exhibit lists. Details: 5 copies, delivery by first day of trial, by hand delivery. Government counsel must provide CRD with 5 copies each of witness and exhibit lists by the first day of trial.
The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. Counsel must confer at least 3 days before filing any criminal motion to resolve or narrow issues.
Judge Josephine L. Staton's rule states these limits: 7000 words; 4200 words. Motion and opposition briefs are limited to 7,000 words; reply briefs are limited to 4,200 words.
Judge Josephine L. Staton's rule states these limits: 2800 words; 2800 words; 2100 words. Motions in limine and oppositions limited to 2,800 words; reply briefs limited to 2,100 words.
Judge Josephine L. Staton's formatting rule includes other font, margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches, label first page as 'in camera', and suggested: mark every page in footer as 'in camera'. In camera documents must be labeled “in camera” on first page and suggested on every page.
The rule requires proposed order. Proposed Order must be emailed to chambers in proper format.
The rule requires notice of electronic filing. Non-publicly filed documents must be served with NEF on all relevant parties.
Parties may contact Judge Josephine L. Staton's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. Parties must not communicate directly with the judge (by letter, phone, or otherwise) unless opposing counsel is present.
Judge Josephine L. Staton's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file unredacted on ecf. Grant requires filing unredacted document under seal with specific label.
Requests should be made at least 3 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Josephine L. Staton. The request must include intent to seek leave to file under seal. Filing Party must give 3-day notice to Designating Party before filing under seal application.
Bundling is encouraged for covered papers before Judge Josephine L. Staton. Parties are encouraged to use tabs, tables of contents, headings, and indices to assist the Court in absorbing facts.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Counsel must submit electronic Microsoft Word versions of jury instructions via email to JLS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
No mandatory chambers copies or paper copies required for filing under seal.
Filing Party must give 3-day notice to Designating Party before filing under seal application.
Proposed Order must be emailed to chambers in proper format.
Non-publicly filed documents must be served with NEF on all relevant parties.
Declaration supporting seal filing required within 4 days of Application.
Filing Party must take action within 3 days of Court's ruling.
Grant requires filing unredacted document under seal with specific label.
Denied application requires public filing or document not considered.
Partial grant requires public filing of redacted version.
Partial grant also requires filing unredacted document under seal.
Chambers email for all documents including proposed orders in MS Word format.
In camera documents require special handling.
Use “in camera” for Court-only review; don’t substitute with “under seal” or “ex parte”.
In camera documents must be labeled “in camera” on first page and suggested on every page.
Red text or highlighting encouraged for in camera documents.
Parties must not communicate directly with the judge (by letter, phone, or otherwise) unless opposing counsel is present.
Pro se parties may email the Clerk at JLS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov for appropriate inquiries.
Any matter brought to the Court's attention must be in writing, filed, and served on the opposing party.
Pleadings and documents invoking the Court's jurisdiction must contain a short and plain statement of the grounds for jurisdiction.
Pro se litigants may use EDSS to submit PDF documents for filing; documents are not automatically filed but reviewed by the Clerk's Office.
Pro se litigants must submit documents in PDF format when using EDSS.
Pro se litigants may apply for permission to electronically file using Form CV-005.
Parties must advise Court via joint filing if unable to agree on indictment summary.
Defense counsel must prepare witness binders as described in prior section.
Counsel must confer at least 3 days before filing any criminal motion to resolve or narrow issues.
Notice of motion must state that counsel conferred regarding the motion's substance.
Motion and opposition briefs are limited to 7,000 words; reply briefs are limited to 4,200 words.
Briefs must include a certification of compliance with length limits per Local Rule 11-6.2.
Supplemental briefs are prohibited unless prior leave of court is granted.
Filings created using generative AI must include a separate declaration disclosing AI use and certifying accuracy and Rule 11 compliance.