Court Rules
district Judge
Verified Current21 hours ago

Judge Jinsook Ohta

Southern District of California

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Motion
5 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Filings

Not Required

Adjournments

Notice Required
2Court Days

Must Include

  • 1
    Meet And Confer Prior To Filing
  • 2
    Declaration Explaining Reasons
  • 3
    Proposed Order In Word Format
  • 4
    Currently Scheduled Date And New Proposed Date

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Affects Other Dates
  • 3
    Proposed Rescheduled Date
  • 4
    Number Of Previous Requests
Notice Required
1Business Days

Communication

Email

Chambers

No Status Inquiries
Phone

Chambers

SchedulingEmergenciesTechnical Issues
No Status Inquiries
Email

Chambers

steven_yaptangco@casd.uscourts.gov
SchedulingTechnical Issues
Filters:AllMandatoryCommunicationLettersTRO/InjunctionElectronicsMemorandaExhibitsJuryCourtroom Conduct

Detailed Drafting Rules

Communication ProtocolMandatory

Letters or emails to chambers are prohibited unless required by Local Rule or specifically requested by the Court.

Letters or emails to chambers or chambers staff are prohibited unless required by Local Rule or specifically requested by the Court.

Email

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. Communications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Phone calls to chambers are only permitted for obtaining hearing dates for civil motions, TROs, or preliminary injunctions.

Telephone calls to chambers are permitted only for obtaining a hearing date for a civil motion, temporary restraining order, or preliminary injunction.

Phone

Approved Topics
SchedulingStatus Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. Communications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Only attorneys or unrepresented parties may call chambers for hearing dates.

Calls from secretaries, legal assistants, paralegals, or parties represented by counsel are prohibited.

Phone

Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. Communications with Chambers
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Five motions in limine per side, five pages max for motions and responses, no replies allowed.

Unless the Court grants permission otherwise, each side is limited to five motions in limine and the motions and the responses to the motions will not exceed five pages. No replies to motions in limine are permitted.

Page 5
|SecMotions in limine
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Counsel must stay at podium during witness examination except for brief exhibit orientation.

Counsel should not enter the well, except during voir dire, opening statements, and closing argument. Counsel should conduct all examination of witnesses from the podium, seek permission from the Court before approaching a witness, and keep any visit to the witness stand brief, e.g., by quickly orienting the witness with an exhibit and returning to the podium.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 7
|SecTrial Procedures
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Objections must state only legal grounds; speaking objections prohibited unless requested.

When objecting, counsel should state only the legal ground for the objection (e.g., “objection, hearsay”). Speaking objections are not permitted unless the Court requests further information from counsel.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 7
|SecTrial Procedures