Judge Helena M. Barch-Kuchta
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Civil case briefs limited to 25 pages (moving/opposition) and 10 pages (reply).
- Brief
- Up to 25 pages
- Reply brief
- Up to 10 pages
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Court's wording
Unless granted prior approval of the Court, parties are advised that all moving and opposition briefs and/or legal memoranda filed in civil cases shall not exceed twenty- five (25) pages. Reply briefs shall not exceed ten (10) pages. These pages do not include exhibits. Parties may seek leave for additional pages through a telephonic conference with all parties, or by brief motion.
Document Filing Requirements1 rule
v. Formal discovery hearings shall comply with Local Rule 251. Any such motion should (1) quote in full each interrogatory, deposition question, request for admission, or request for production that is in dispute, and (2) state the response or objection and grounds therefor articulated by the opposing party. Unless otherwise ordered, deposition transcripts or discovery papers are not to be filed with the Court.
Filing & Service rules
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Informal Discovery Dispute Letter Brief limited to 3 pages, filed 24 hours before conference, no attachments.
The letter brief is limited to three (3) pages in length and shall be filed no later than twenty-four hours before the scheduled conference. Attachments are prohibited.
Civil cases
Discovery motions require prior approval before filing.
Judge Barch-Kuchta will not consider any discovery motions without prior approval in accordance with the following procedures:
Civil cases
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Defense counsel may serve a continuance petition for Review Hearing between 1 month and 2 weeks prior to the hearing, including all facts supporting the request.
No earlier than one month prior to the date set for the Review Hearing nor later than two weeks before the date set for the Review Hearing, counsel for Defendant may serve upon counsel for the government, or said counsel’s designee, a copy of a Petition seeking to have the scheduled Review Hearing vacated or continued, stating all facts supporting the relief sought.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | POLICY REGARDING PROBATION COMPLIANCE REVIEW
Chambers Communication Rules
a. Parties may contact Courtroom Deputy Patricia Apodaca to request that a magistrate judge serve as mediator in a settlement conference. Judge Barch-Kuchta will issue a pre-conference order establishing procedures and expectations for the settlement conference. This order may require a pre-conference call from each party and pre- conference telephone call with the lead attorneys.
a. Parties may contact Courtroom Deputy Patricia Apodaca to request that a magistrate judge serve as mediator in a settlement conference. Judge Barch-Kuchta will issue a pre-conference order establishing procedures and expectations for the settlement conference. This order may require a pre-conference call from each party and pre- conference telephone call with the lead attorneys.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Settlement Conferences