Courtesy copies are required for consolidation. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing. Motions to consolidate must be filed in the oldest case with a courtesy copy to each affected court.
Judge Randy Crane's rules set a pre-motion procedure for tro and ex parte restraining order. Ex parte restraining order applications will not be considered by the Court unless all FRCP 65(b) requirements are satisfied.
Judge Randy Crane's formatting rule includes file format paper and correspondence shall not be filed electronically. Correspondence is prohibited from electronic filing.
The rule requires proposed order. Requests for Amended Scheduling Order should include a proposed order in the required form with proposed dates.
The rule requires certificate of conference. Restraining order/immediate relief applications must include counsel’s affirmation of opposing party contact and both parties’ availability for a court conference.
Parties may contact Judge Randy Crane's chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Ex parte communications with the Court are prohibited; all written communications must be copied to all interested parties.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Randy Crane. Process: file unredacted to clerk. Parties filing a civil action they wish to seal must submit an application to the clerk with complaint and materials in a sealed envelope marked 'sealed exhibit'.
Judge Randy Crane's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. Counsel agreements for continuances are not binding on the Court; continuances are granted only at the Court’s discretion.
Yes. Judge Randy Crane requires bundling for covered papers. Parties represented by counsel must file Form JS44c with all original pleadings.
Ex parte communications with the Court are prohibited; all written communications must be copied to all interested parties.
Case status information should be obtained via CM/ECF, or via phone to Clerk’s Office if necessary.
All other case-related inquiries must be directed only to Case Manager Ludi Cervantes.
Letters are permitted only for minor procedural matters, must not contain substantive issues, and are not docketed or destroyed.
Direct phone inquiries to Chambers regarding pending cases are prohibited.
Correspondence is prohibited from electronic filing.
Leave of Court required for conventional filing of documents over 50 pages; electronic filing encouraged.
Leave of Court required for conventional filing of double-sided documents; electronic filing encouraged.
Leave of Court required for filing over-sized or irregularly shaped documents not readily imagable; electronic filing encouraged.
Discovery deadline extensions may be made by written party agreement without court involvement; agreements need not be filed.
Requests for Amended Scheduling Order should include a proposed order in the required form with proposed dates.
Counsel must phone Case Manager Ludi Cervantes at 956-618-8065 upon filing emergency relief requests (restraining orders/immediate relief).
Ex parte restraining order applications will not be considered by the Court unless all FRCP 65(b) requirements are satisfied.
Restraining order/immediate relief applications must include counsel’s affirmation of opposing party contact and both parties’ availability for a court conference.
Restraining order/immediate relief applications require a pre-court conference, with counsel affirming both parties are available for the conference.
Counsel agreements for continuances are not binding on the Court; continuances are granted only at the Court’s discretion.
Trials will not be continued due to witness unavailability; counsel must use alternative methods like depositions or stipulations.
Motions requiring expedited consideration must include the word “Emergency” in the caption.
Exhibit lists must be included in the Joint Pretrial Order.
Joint Pretrial Order form should be followed, with reasonable adaptations allowed for case size and nature.
A bench copy of all documentary exhibits is required; voluminous exhibits may be provided on disc in PDF, DOC, or WPD formats.
Exhibits must be marked with offering party's name, case number, and exhibit number, and exchanged among counsel before trial.
Proposed voir dire questions must be included in the Final Pretrial Order.
Parties must file a Certificate of Interested Parties at least 10 days before the Initial Pretrial Conference.
Opposed motions must include or be accompanied by legal authority.
Parties represented by counsel must file Form JS44c with all original pleadings.
All filed documents must be submitted via Court-compliant electronic means unless exempted.
All papers must include a certificate of service at the end.
Opposed motions must be in writing.
Opposed motions must be accompanied by a separate proposed order granting the requested relief.