Judge Natasha C. Merle

Email plea agreement or sentencing sheet and list of elements at least 3 days prior to hearing. Include copy of information if guilty plea expected.

Parties shall deliver to chambers one (1) courtesy copy of the following submissions: all written submissions filed on ECF that are twenty-five (25) pages in length or more (inclusive of any exhibits or attachments); and regardless of page length, all (i) motions to dismiss, (ii) motions for summary judgment, (iii) motions to compel arbitration, and (iv) motions to remand to state court.

Parties shall file only the pages of transcripts containing relevant testimony cited in the memoranda or affidavits. However, excerpts must comply with Fed. R. Evid. 106. Parties shall include the transcript cover page and portion of the transcript necessary for completeness. If the transcript contains a discussion of a matter, include the whole discussion.

Parties filing exhibits other than documents and images (e.g., audio or video files) must call Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at (718) 613-2355 for further instructions.

All communications with chambers shall be in writing and filed on ECF, with copies simultaneously delivered to all parties who do not receive automatic notification through ECF.

Parties may not communicate with the Court via fax and/or email without prior authorization.

Parties are encouraged to communicate with the Court via written communication rather than by telephone. For docketing, scheduling, or calendar matters, please call Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at (718) 613-2355. Ex parte telephone calls to chambers about the substance of cases are not permitted.

Any party wishing to present marked exhibits to the jury in digital form who has not previously used the Court’s electronic equipment is directed to schedule a meeting with Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at least one (1) week prior to the commencement of the trial to review the available equipment for the presentation of digital evidence. Counsel should be accompanied by the audio-visual personnel who will be operating any equipment that will be used at trial.

To request a pre-motion conference, the moving party shall file a letter-motion not to exceed three (3) pages in length setting forth the basis for the anticipated motion. Opposing parties, including pro se parties, shall file a response, not to exceed three (3) pages, within seven (7) days.

Unless prior permission has been granted, memoranda of law in support of or in opposition to motions are limited to twenty-five (25) pages, double-spaced, and reply memoranda are limited to ten (10) pages, double-spaced. These page limits are exclusive of tables of contents, tables of authorities, appendices, and attachments. Parties may use Georgia or Times New Roman 12-point font, with footnotes in 12-point font, and one-inch margins. Memoranda of ten (10) pages or more shall contain a table of contents and table of authorities.

Memoranda in support of or in opposition to motions for reconsideration are limited to ten (10) pages.

Assistant United States Attorneys are responsible for informing chambers when a new case has been assigned to Judge Merle by calling Courtroom Deputy Alicia Guy at (718) 613-2355. Upon such notification, an initial pretrial conference will be scheduled.

A party who wishes to appeal an adverse bail determination by the Magistrate Judge should contact Chambers to arrange a conference for that purpose. The party that brings the appeal is directed to provide the Court no less than two (2) business days before the conference with the transcript of argument on bail before the Magistrate Judge, any written submissions below as to bail, and Pretrial Services’ report as to the defendant.

A pro se litigant shall: Only communicate with the Court in writing, pursuant to Rule II.A.2 (“Parties may not communicate with the Court via fax and/or email without prior authorization.”).