Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Cynthia A. Bashant's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Cynthia A. Bashant?

Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 20 pages. Details: delivery upon filing. Courtesy copies required for criminal filings over 20 pages.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Courtesy Copies

Does Judge Cynthia A. Bashant require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Cynthia A. Bashant's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Motions must be filed 14 days before hearing; oppositions 7 days before.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Pretrial Motions

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Cynthia A. Bashant?

Judge Cynthia A. Bashant's rules include formatting requirements. All formatting requirements in Civil Local Rule 5.1 must be followed.

View ruleSource: page 2, section General Filing Requirements

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Cynthia A. Bashant?

The rule requires declarations. Motions requiring factual findings must be supported by declarations.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Pretrial Motions

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Cynthia A. Bashant?

The rule requires proposed order. Proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to efile address, except joint continuance motions.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Proposed Orders

How may parties contact Judge Cynthia A. Bashant's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Cynthia A. Bashant's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Emails and letters to chambers are prohibited unless authorized.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Communications with Chambers

How does Judge Cynthia A. Bashant handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Cynthia A. Bashant. Process: file redacted on ecf. Sealing orders require specific description and declarations showing compelling reason.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Filing Documents Under Seal

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Cynthia A. Bashant?

Judge Cynthia A. Bashant's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include non conclusory affidavit and specific good cause. Shortening time applications require non-conclusory affidavit with good cause.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Pretrial Motions

Does Judge Cynthia A. Bashant require motion papers to be bundled?

Bundling is optional for covered papers before Judge Cynthia A. Bashant. Parties may select Friday hearing dates 30-60 days after filing, or following Monday if Friday is federal holiday; do not contact chambers.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Hearing Dates

Does Judge Cynthia A. Bashant encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Cynthia A. Bashant's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior attorneys (≤5 years) may request oral argument on noticed motions.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Junior Attorneys
Complete rules summary for Judge Cynthia A. Bashant

Motions must be filed 14 days before hearing; oppositions 7 days before.

Courtesy copies required for criminal filings over 20 pages.

Voluminous filings may be provided on USB with OCR scanning.

Sealed documents require digital courtesy copy to efile email.

Shortening time applications require non-conclusory affidavit with good cause.

Motions requiring factual findings must be supported by declarations.

Motions to file under seal are strongly discouraged.

Sealing orders require specific description and declarations showing compelling reason.

Digital courtesy copy required for sealed filings via efile email.

Digital courtesy copy required for paper ex parte filings via efile email.

Proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to efile address, except joint continuance motions.

Telephone Chambers for urgent filings with voicemail if unanswered.

Proposed jury instructions due first day of trial; supplemental instructions filed as needed.

Proposed voir dire questions and verdict forms due three court days before trial.

Trial briefs due five court days before trial on significant disputed legal issues.

Motions due 14 days before hearing; oppositions due 7 days before.

Witnesses must be present at trial start or readily available.

Counsel must instruct witnesses not to discuss case with jurors.

Attorneys must stay in well except during specific proceedings and maintain distance from jury.

Court may limit re-cross and re-direct examination.

Sidebars are disfavored by the Court.

Counsel must arrange interpreters through Interpreter Services Department.

Parties must provide stipulated transcript for video/audio evidence.

Objections must state only legal grounds, no speaking objections.

Only one lawyer per party may examine a witness and make objections.

Government counsel must provide exhibit/witness lists and pre-mark exhibits on first trial day.

Criminal trials generally run 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Court personnel cannot interpret orders, discuss merits, give legal advice, or speculate about order timing.

Emails and letters to chambers are prohibited unless authorized.

All formatting requirements in Civil Local Rule 5.1 must be followed.

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