Court Rules

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Motion

  • Mail

Courtesy copies

Court-wide
  • 1 copy

Adjournments

  • Minor agreed deadline changes may be requested by written motion stating that opposing counsel consents.

Request must include

Adversary Position

Communication

Email

Chambers

karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov
Scheduling
Email

Chambers

katherine.fowler@courts.mo.gov
Scheduling
Email

Clerk

lisa.keeper@courts.mo.gov
Email
Scheduling
Filters:

Document Format Requirements2 rules

FormattingMandatory

Counsel must pre-mark all exhibits. Plaintiffs shall use numbers and defendants shall use letters for exhibits.

Applies to
  • Exhibits

Formatting

  • Pre-mark all exhibits
  • Plaintiffs must identify exhibits with numbers; defendants must identify exhibits with letters
DIVISION 4 GUIDELINES · p. 2|SectionPretrial Conference
FormattingMandatory

The parties must also email the Court a copy of their instructions in word processing format (not .pdf) to karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov.

DIVISION 4 GUIDELINES · p. 2|SectionPretrial Conference

Document Filing Requirements2 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatory

During the final pretrial conference, the parties must submit a set of jury instructions, indicating the source of authority for the instruction and the offering party.

DIVISION 4 GUIDELINES · p. 2|SectionPretrial Conference
Filing RequirementsImportant

Please bring a list of all exhibits which may be received without objection at the beginning of trial.

DIVISION 4 GUIDELINES · p. 2|SectionPretrial Conference

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

The request for a confined defendant to appear in person must be made 48 hours before the hearing.

If an attorney representing a confined defendant would like his/her client to appear at an in-in person hearing, he/she shall email the request to the Division 4 clerk, Lisa Keeper (lisa.keeper@courts.mo.gov) 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Page 1 | Hearings

Pretrial motions must be filed at least five days before the pretrial conference.

Pretrial motions must be filed at least 5 days before the pretrial conference.

Page 2 | Pretrial Conference

An opposition to a pretrial must be filed no later than two days before the pretrial conference.

Opposition to a pretrial must be filed no later than 2 days before the pretrial conference.

Page 2 | Pretrial Conference

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Parties may mail a paper courtesy copy of any motion, together with its supporting memorandum and exhibits, to chambers.

Parties may mail or hand-deliver to chambers at 10 N. Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63101 a paper courtesy copy of any motion, together with the memorandum in support and exhibits.

Page 2 | Courtesy Copies of Motions

Filing Bundling Requirements

Counsel must meet and confer about jury instructions and should submit one joint package whenever possible.

Counsel are required to meet and confer regarding jury instructions and, whenever possible, to submit one package of jury instructions to the Court on behalf of the parties.

Page 2 | Pretrial Conference

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Pretrial motions, including motions requiring an evidentiary hearing such as motions to suppress, will be heard at the pretrial conference.

All pretrial motions will be heard at the pretrial conference, including any matters requiring an evidentiary hearing—i.e.—motions to suppress.

Page 2 | Pretrial Conference

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Minor agreed deadline changes may be requested by written motion stating that opposing counsel consents.

Most minor, agreed deadline changes can be handled in writing by filing a motion to extend the deadline and stating that the opposing counsel consents.

Page 2 | Informal Matters

Chambers Communication Rules

An attorney requesting a confined defendant’s in-person appearance must email the Division 4 clerk at least 48 hours before the hearing.

If an attorney representing a confined defendant would like his/her client to appear at an in-in person hearing, he/she shall email the request to the Division 4 clerk, Lisa Keeper (lisa.keeper@courts.mo.gov) 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Page 1 | Hearings

The parties must email the Court a copy of their jury instructions in word-processing format, not PDF.

The parties must also email the Court a copy of their instructions in word processing format (not .pdf) to karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov.

Page 2 | Pretrial Conference

To schedule a motion or plea hearing, email JOA Karen Ditz and state the motion type, estimated hearing length, and whether an on-the-record hearing is requested.

To schedule a motion or plea hearing, please email JOA Karen Ditz and advise as to the type of motion, the estimated length of the hearing and whether you are requesting a hearing on the record.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | DIVISION 4 GUIDELINES

Alternative hearing dates may be requested by emailing the Division 4 JOA when a scheduling conflict arises.

In the event of a scheduling conflict, alternative hearing dates may be requested via email to Division 4 JOA, Karen Ditz (karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov).

Page 1 | Hearings

When a scheduling conflict arises, alternative plea hearing dates may be requested by emailing the Division 4 JOA.

In the event of a scheduling conflict, alternative hearing dates may be requested via email to Division 4 JOA Karen Ditz (Karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov).

Page 1 | Pleas and Sentencings

Requests for alternative hearing dates must copy Judge Fowler by email.

Please copy Judge Fowler (Katherine.fowler@courts.mo.gov) on the email request.

Page 1 | Hearings

For an informal matter requiring a hearing, ascertain opposing counsel’s availability and contact the judicial assistant by email to schedule it.

If you have an informal matter that requires a hearing, please ascertain opposing counsel’s availability, and contact my judicial assistant (karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov) to schedule a hearing.

Page 2 | Informal Matters

For an issue requiring more urgent attention, contact Karen to request a special setting.

If you have an issue that requires more urgent attention, please contact Karen for a special setting.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | DIVISION 4 GUIDELINES

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 47 rules apply across City of St. Louis Circuit Court. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Communication

All 13

  • Courtroom #1 requires live attendance, but the Court may allow virtual attendance for good cause if requested at least 5 days before the hearing; live attendance is encouraged, with exceptions if warranted.

  • Affected counsel are encouraged to contact the assigned general division to check the status of cases ranked ahead of theirs.

  • If counsel learns that the assigned division will not reach the case, counsel may contact Division 1 to seek reassignment so trial can begin as scheduled.

Filing Requirements

All 10
  • Applies to
    Witness list

    Counsel must provide a witness list to the Court, court reporter, and opposing party before trial.

  • Applies to
    Jury instructions

    Each party bearing the burden of proof on a claim or defense must provide proposed jury instructions to the Court and the other parties by the conclusion of voir dire, unless the Court directs otherwise.

  • Applies to
    Jury instructions

    Each proffered instruction must be submitted in both a clean copy and a dirty copy.

Filing Timing

All 6
  • Applies to
    Dispositive motion

    Dispositive motions must be scheduled and submitted at least 60 days before trial, or they may not be heard absent good cause.

  • Applies to
    Dispositive motion

    Dispositive motions shall be heard more than 60 days prior to a trial setting.

  • Proposed jury instructions from each party bearing the burden of proof are due no later than the conclusion of voir dire, unless the Court directs otherwise.

Formatting

All 5

  • Jury instructions must use 14-point Times New Roman and be prepared on Microsoft Word.

  • In addition to providing hard copies, the parties are expected to be able to make changes while in chambers; therefore, counsel shall bring their instructions on a compact disc, flash drive, or email them to the Court.

  • Exhibits should be marked for identification before trial.

More categories

View all City of St. Louis Circuit Court rules
Common questions about Judge Katherine M. Fowler's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Katherine M. Fowler?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions. Details: by mail. Parties may mail a paper courtesy copy of any motion, together with its supporting memorandum and exhibits, to chambers.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Courtesy Copies of Motions

Does Judge Katherine M. Fowler require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Pretrial motions, including motions requiring an evidentiary hearing such as motions to suppress, will be heard at the pretrial conference.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Pretrial Conference

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Katherine M. Fowler?

Judge Katherine M. Fowler's formatting rule includes submit the instructions in word processing format, not .pdf.. The emailed jury instructions must be in word-processing format, not PDF.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Pretrial Conference

What must be included with jury instructions filings before Judge Katherine M. Fowler?

At the final pretrial conference, the parties must submit jury instructions identifying each instruction’s authority and offering party.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Pretrial Conference

What must be included with exhibit list filings before Judge Katherine M. Fowler?

Please bring a list of all exhibits which may be received without objection at the beginning of trial.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Pretrial Conference

How may parties contact Judge Katherine M. Fowler's chambers?

The rule lists email lisa.keeper@courts.mo.gov. An attorney requesting a confined defendant’s in-person appearance must email the Division 4 clerk at least 48 hours before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Hearings

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Katherine M. Fowler?

The request must include adversary position. Minor agreed deadline changes may be requested by written motion stating that opposing counsel consents.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Informal Matters

Does Judge Katherine M. Fowler require motion papers to be bundled?

Counsel must meet and confer about jury instructions and should submit one joint package whenever possible.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Pretrial Conference

What filing deadlines does Judge Katherine M. Fowler set?

The request for a confined defendant to appear in person must be made 48 hours before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Hearings
Complete rules summary for Judge Katherine M. Fowler

Alternative hearing dates may be requested by emailing the Division 4 JOA when a scheduling conflict arises.

Requests for alternative hearing dates must copy Judge Fowler by email.

An attorney requesting a confined defendant’s in-person appearance must email the Division 4 clerk at least 48 hours before the hearing.

The request for a confined defendant to appear in person must be made 48 hours before the hearing.

When a scheduling conflict arises, alternative plea hearing dates may be requested by emailing the Division 4 JOA.

Pretrial motions, including motions requiring an evidentiary hearing such as motions to suppress, will be heard at the pretrial conference.

Pretrial motions must be filed at least five days before the pretrial conference.

An opposition to a pretrial must be filed no later than two days before the pretrial conference.

At the final pretrial conference, the parties must submit jury instructions identifying each instruction’s authority and offering party.

The parties must email the Court a copy of their jury instructions in word-processing format, not PDF.

The emailed jury instructions must be in word-processing format, not PDF.

Counsel must meet and confer about jury instructions and should submit one joint package whenever possible.

Counsel must pre-mark exhibits; plaintiffs must use numbers and defendants must use letters.

Please bring a list of all exhibits which may be received without objection at the beginning of trial.

Minor agreed deadline changes may be requested by written motion stating that opposing counsel consents.

For an informal matter requiring a hearing, ascertain opposing counsel’s availability and contact the judicial assistant by email to schedule it.

Parties may mail a paper courtesy copy of any motion, together with its supporting memorandum and exhibits, to chambers.

To schedule a motion or plea hearing, email JOA Karen Ditz and state the motion type, estimated hearing length, and whether an on-the-record hearing is requested.

For an issue requiring more urgent attention, contact Karen to request a special setting.

More Judges in City of St. Louis Circuit Court

Annette Llewellyn
Judge
Calea Stovall-Reid
Judge
Catherine A. Dierker
Judge
Christopher E. McGraugh
Judge
Clinton R. Wright
Judge
Craig K. Higgins
Judge
David A. Roither
Judge