Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibit
Proposed Pretrial Order
- Not required
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Motions in limine are limited to 25 pages per side absent leave of Court.
- Motion in limine
- Up to 25 pages per side
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Each side is limited to 15 proposed disputed questions, unless a motion is filed before the pretrial conference that explains good cause for proposing more than the limit.
Document Format Requirements5 rules
Any exhibit in .pdf format should undergo Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and be text-searchable.
- Exhibit
Formatting
- •PDF exhibits must be OCR'd and text-searchable
Exhibits must follow JERS naming convention.
- Exhibit
Formatting
- •Follow JERS naming convention
Court's wording
The parties must use the exhibit-naming convention for the Jury Evidence Recording System (JERS); the court will provide the parties with an instruction memorandum on how to use JERS and name exhibits.
Exhibits must be named with number_underscore_neutral_description.file_extension format.
Court's wording
To use JERS, both sides must use the following exhibit-naming convention, which also will serve as the file name for the digital file: the exhibit number, followed by an underscore, followed by a neutral description of the exhibit. The convention is thus: <exhibit number> <exhibit description>.<file extension>
Exhibits must use consecutive numbers only, no letters or parts.
Formatting
- •Use consecutive numbers only (no letters or parts like 1A, 2A)
Court's wording
Use consecutive numbers to designate exhibits; do not use letters to distinguish exhibits. Also, do not use an “exhibit part,” such as 1A or 2A. Just use consecutive numbers (plus the neutral description).
JERS accepts these common file types: Documents and Photographs: .pdf, .jpg. Video and Audio Recordings: .avi, .wmv, .mpg, .mp3, .wma, .wav
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
Jury addresses must be made from the podium for audio recording purposes.
Court's wording
Jury addresses must take place at the podium as well: even if you speak loudly for us to hear you, again the audio- recording system relies on the microphones to record what you say, and the recording is necessary for transcript preparation or to resolve a dispute over what a transcript says.
Witness examinations must be from podium unless otherwise allowed; alternative is jury box end with microphone use.
Court's wording
All witness examinations must be conducted from the podium unless otherwise allowed by the Court. The only alternative site is the end of the jury box, but you must speak loudly enough for the witness, judge, jury, and court reporter to easily hear you, and speak into the microphone at the end of the jury box so that the audio-recording system can record you.
When you object, you must stand so that the Court and the witness are on alert that an objection will be made.
Proposed Pretrial Orders filed electronically via CM/ECF with email copy in Word format.
Court's wording
Proposed pretrial orders must be filed electronically using CM/ECF (no need for courtesy copies). To file it, select the appropriate CM/ECF event, “Other Filings” and then “Other Documents,” and choose the Proposed Pretrial Order event. Also email it to Proposed_Order_Jenkins@ilnd.uscourts.gov in Microsoft Word format.
The parties must submit an exhibit list that includes Plaintiff’s exhibits and Defendant’s exhibits using the template uploaded to the court’s webpage.
At least 5 business days before the pre-trial conference, the parties must upload electronic copies all of the proposed exhibits using a box.com link the court will provide upon request.
One last thing: a physical object of course will not be imported into JERS, but you should still assign a consecutively numbered exhibit designation to it, along with a neutral description. Then create a one-page .pdf with the exhibit number and neutral description on it, and submit those exhibits as part of the JERS disc.
- Document
- Physical exhibit placeholder
Should include
- •Neutral description
You must state a short, non-argumentative basis for the objection (e.g., relevance, hearsay), and responses must be similarly short and non-argumentative.
Before trial, counsel should instruct their witnesses not to answer a question when they see the opposing lawyer stand and while an objection is pending.
In order to respect the jury's time, always have enough witnesses available so that we make use of the full trial day.
If there are multiple parties on a particular side, then you must coordinate with your co-plaintiff’s or co-defendant’s attorney to generate a consecutively numbered set of exhibits.
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
No courtesy copies required for Proposed Pretrial Orders.
Proposed pretrial orders must be filed electronically using CM/ECF (no need for courtesy copies).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Proposed Pretrial Orders
Paper copies of exhibits should not be delivered to chambers unless requested.
Paper copies must not be delivered to chambers unless requested by the court.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Exhibits and Exhibit Charts