Court Rules
Common questions about Judge William H. Orrick's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge William H. Orrick?

Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by chambers drop off. Three-hole punched copy required for Judge’s chambers with each filing.

View ruleSource: page 6, section 10. Miscellaneous

Does Judge William H. Orrick require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. Pre-motion conference required before filing any motion, per Crim. L.R. 47-2 and 17.1-1(b).

View ruleSource: page 1, section 4. Motions

What page or word limits apply to motions in limine before Judge William H. Orrick?

Judge William H. Orrick's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Motions in limine must be filed 14 days before Pretrial Conference, limited to 25 pages; oppositions due 7 days before.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Motions In Limine

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge William H. Orrick?

Judge William H. Orrick's formatting rule includes binding three ring binder, pre-marked with trial exhibit stickers, numbered sequence (defendant after plaintiff), and tab dividers for numerous exhibits. Voluminous exhibits must be reduced or summarized; each must be pre-marked with trial exhibit stickers in numbered sequence; numerous exhibits should be in three-ring binders with tabs.

What must be included with juror research filings before Judge William H. Orrick?

The rule requires no in person surveillance. No in-person surveillance of jurors or their family members permitted.

View ruleSource: page 2, section In-Person Surveillance Prohibition

What must be included with juror questionnaire filings before Judge William H. Orrick?

The rule requires confidentiality. Confidentiality required for all juror questionnaires provided to counsel.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Confidentiality of Juror Questionnaires

How may parties contact Judge William H. Orrick's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge William H. Orrick's prospective juror by all only as allowed by the rule. No contact allowed with prospective jurors through any means.

View ruleSource: page 1, section No Contact with Prospective Jurors

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge William H. Orrick?

Requests should be made at least 10 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge William H. Orrick. The request must include reason for request and proposed new dates. Rescheduling requests must be in writing 10 days before conference with good cause.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Case Management Conference Requirements
Complete rules summary for Judge William H. Orrick

No in-person surveillance of jurors or their family members permitted.

Confidentiality required for all juror questionnaires provided to counsel.

No contact allowed with prospective jurors through any means.

Research allowed from generally available sources without contact.

LinkedIn prohibited for juror research due to notification features.

Stories features on Instagram, SnapChat, Facebook prohibited for juror research.

Only publicly available profiles may be viewed; no follow/friend requests allowed.

Private databases based on public sources permitted for juror research.

Joint case management statement required 7 days before conference.

Failure to file joint case management statement may result in sanctions.

Rescheduling requests must be in writing 10 days before conference with good cause.

Pro se parties should visit court's Legal Help Center link.

Legal Help Center locations in San Francisco and Oakland.

Call 415-782-8982 to make Legal Help Center appointment.

Pro se parties without IFP must comply with service requirements.

Parties must serve and file trial memorandum, witness list, and exhibit lists 7 days before Pretrial Conference.

Motions in limine must be filed 14 days before Pretrial Conference, limited to 25 pages; oppositions due 7 days before.

Parties must jointly file jury instructions 7 days before Pretrial Conference on CD/DVD in Word format.

Jury instructions must be typed separately, include citations, be brief/clear/plain English, and avoid argument.

Preliminary jury statements/instructions must be jointly filed 7 days before Pretrial Conference.

Non-jury parties must file proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law 14 days before Pretrial Conference with hyperlinks, on CD/DVD in Word format.

Parties must provide one set of all proposed exhibits to other parties 14 days before Pretrial Conference.

Voluminous exhibits must be reduced or summarized; each must be pre-marked with trial exhibit stickers in numbered sequence; numerous exhibits should be in three-ring binders with tabs.

Parties must make good faith effort to stipulate to exhibit admissibility 7 days before Pretrial Conference.

Parties must file exhibit objection statements 7 days before Pretrial Conference identifying objected items, grounds, and offering party's position.

One set of exhibits must be provided to Court in Chambers on Friday before trial date in marked, tabbed, indexed binders.

Exhibit numbers must be assigned in blocks per party; duplicate exhibits must not be marked.

Witness binders required for witnesses testifying about 3+ exhibits if exhibits don't fit in one binder.

Three-hole punched copy required for Judge’s chambers with each filing.

Chambers calls prohibited; contact Courtroom Deputy by phone or email only.

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