Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Sarah L. Cave's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Sarah L. Cave?

Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 50 pages. Details: 1 copy, delivery promptly after filing, by hand delivery. Courtesy copies required for Letter-Motions with exhibits over 50 pages.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Courtesy Copies

Does Judge Sarah L. Cave 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. Must meet and confer in good faith before filing discovery dispute; letters/emails alone insufficient

View ruleSource: page 4, section II. Pretrial Procedures

What page or word limits apply to letter before Judge Sarah L. Cave?

Judge Sarah L. Cave's rule states these limits: 1050 words. Letters to chambers are limited to 1,050 words (excluding attachments).

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Communications with Chambers

What page or word limits apply to letter motion before Judge Sarah L. Cave?

Judge Sarah L. Cave's rule states these limits: 1050 words. Letters in opposition and replies are limited to 1,050 words.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Briefing Schedule

What must be included with rule 26f conference report filings before Judge Sarah L. Cave?

The rule requires signature block. Rule 26(f) conference report requires counsel signature certifying compliance with court expectations.

View ruleSource: page 2, section The Court’s Expectations

What must be included with joint letter filings before Judge Sarah L. Cave?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Parties must file a joint docket letter certifying fact discovery is complete no later than one week after fact discovery closes.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 6. Discovery Plan

How may parties contact Judge Sarah L. Cave's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Sarah L. Cave's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email CaveCriminalDuty@nysd.uscourts.gov. Email arrest/search warrants (including cell site, triggerfish, GPS) to CaveCriminalDuty@nysd.uscourts.gov with agent and U.S. Attorney availability.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Criminal Applications

How does Judge Sarah L. Cave handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Sarah L. Cave. Filing under seal requires court permission.

View ruleSource: page 2, section I. Communications with Chambers

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Sarah L. Cave?

Requests should be made at least 14 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Sarah L. Cave. Pre-sentence submissions for misdemeanors due 2 weeks before scheduled meeting.

View ruleSource: page 1, section III. Misdemeanor Sentencing

Does Judge Sarah L. Cave require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Sarah L. Cave requires bundling for covered papers. Motions in limine must be filed with the Joint Pretrial Order.

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Sarah L. Cave?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Initial interrogatories must be served on or before a specified date.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 6. Discovery Plan

Does Judge Sarah L. Cave encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Sarah L. Cave's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior attorneys invited to argue Letter-Motions they helped prepare.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Discovery Conferences/Oral Argument on Letter-Motions
Complete rules summary for Judge Sarah L. Cave

Email arrest/search warrants (including cell site, triggerfish, GPS) to CaveCriminalDuty@nysd.uscourts.gov with agent and U.S. Attorney availability.

Email Judge Cave for late-night or weekend warrant requests.

Email plea materials (indictment, plea agreement, elements, penalties) at least 24 hours before plea.

Pre-sentence submissions for misdemeanors due 2 weeks before scheduled meeting.

Rule 26(f) conference report requires counsel signature certifying compliance with court expectations.

Rule 26(f) conference report must certify parties met at least one week before Initial Case Management Conference and include caption, case number, and judge name.

Parties must file a joint docket letter certifying fact discovery is complete no later than one week after fact discovery closes.

Parties may extend interim discovery deadlines by written consent without court application if the 6(A) fact discovery deadline is met.

Initial interrogatories must be served on or before a specified date.

Subsequent interrogatories must be served no later than 30 days before the fact discovery deadline.

Requests for admission must be served no later than 30 days before the fact discovery deadline.

Subsequent requests for production must be served no later than 30 days before the fact discovery deadline.

Rule 26(e) supplementations must be made within a reasonable time after information discovery, and no later than the fact discovery deadline.

Parties must exchange privilege logs by a specified date if claiming privilege or work product protection.

Pleading amendments after the Rule 15(a) deadline are only permitted with a showing of good cause under Rule 16(b)(4).

Parties must file a joint docket letter certifying all discovery is complete and stating intended dispositive motions no later than one week after expert discovery closes.

Letters to chambers are limited to 1,050 words (excluding attachments).

Urgent matters require filing a request on ECF before calling or emailing chambers.

Pro se parties must communicate with the Pro Se Intake Unit, not chambers.

Adjournment/extension requests must be filed as letter-motions with specific required elements.

Adjournment requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance with 2 proposed dates.

Hand deliveries must be left with Court Security Officers, not brought to chambers.

Filing under seal requires court permission.

Motions for sealed/redacted filings must be filed electronically through ECF

Citations must be in searchable PDF and include ECF document/page numbers

Electronic device requests must be emailed to Court at least 24 hours before proceeding

Report of Rule 26(f) Conference and Proposed Case Management Plan due 1 week before Initial Case Management Conference

Pro Se Cases must submit Case Report and Proposed Case Management Plan 1 week before conference

Lead counsel expected to attend Initial Case Management Conference; accommodations for disability or incarceration

Court prefers conferences for discovery disputes in Letter-Motions.

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