Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Michelle L. Peterson's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Michelle L. Peterson?

Courtesy copies are required for attorney filers. Details: 3 copies, delivery upon filing, by ecf filing. Counsel must file original plus 3 copies; pro se petitioners file only original.

View ruleSource: page 147, section Filing

Does Judge Michelle L. Peterson require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Michelle L. Peterson's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Court must set status conference after record filing to determine schedule

View ruleSource: page 149, section Procedures for Considering the Petition

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Michelle L. Peterson?

Judge Michelle L. Peterson's rule states these limits: 10500 words; 30 pages; 30 pages. Excludes caption, index, table of contents, table of authorities, signature blocks, certificates, exhibits, appendices, and attachments. Bankruptcy appeals briefs have word/page limits (10,500/30 for initial briefs, 7,000/20 for reply briefs).

View ruleSource: page 138, section LCR 88(c)(2)

What page or word limits apply to objection before Judge Michelle L. Peterson?

Judge Michelle L. Peterson's rule states these limits: 4200 words; 12 pages. Objections to magistrate judge orders limited to 4,200 words or 12 pages (hand/typewriter).

View ruleSource: page 110, section LCR 72

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Michelle L. Peterson?

Judge Michelle L. Peterson's formatting rule includes times new roman font, 12 point type, double spacing, letter paper, margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1.5 inches, right 1 inches, and file format PDF. Petitions must comply with LCR 100 formatting rules.

View ruleSource: page 147, section Filing

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Michelle L. Peterson?

The rule requires notice of electronic filing. Motions before magistrate judges must comply with LCR 7, 10 (civil) or LCrR 12 (criminal) and electronic filing procedures.

View ruleSource: page 7, section MOTION PRACTICE BEFORE MAGISTRATE JUDGES

What must be included with motion for extension of time filings before Judge Michelle L. Peterson?

The rule requires proposed order required. Motion for extension requires proposed order

View ruleSource: page 2, section For example, if you need more time

How may parties contact Judge Michelle L. Peterson's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Michelle L. Peterson's chambers by recording only as allowed by the rule. Only court reporter and videographer may record depositions

How does Judge Michelle L. Peterson handle sealed or redacted filings?

The rule does not state that a motion to seal is required for the covered filing process. Process: file redacted on ecf. Arbitration awards must be sealed from judges except for cost assessment, final judgment, or required reports.

View ruleSource: page 79, section Sealing of Award

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Michelle L. Peterson?

Requests should be made at least 14 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Michelle L. Peterson. The request must include reason for request, original date, number of previous requests, previous requests granted or denied, adversary position, and proposed new dates. 14-day deadline to file appeal motion for magistrate rulings not covered by other procedures.

View ruleSource: page 12, section APPEALS TO DISTRICT JUDGE

Does Judge Michelle L. Peterson require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Michelle L. Peterson requires bundling for covered papers. Dispositive motions (dismissal, summary judgment, etc.) must be filed together with supporting papers.

View ruleSource: page 41, section bundling

Does Judge Michelle L. Peterson encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Michelle L. Peterson's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Supervising lawyers must be admitted to practice and have at least 3 years of experience.

View ruleSource: page 131, section Supervising Lawyer
Complete rules summary for Judge Michelle L. Peterson

14-day deadline to file appeal motion for magistrate rulings not covered by other procedures.

District judge handles release/detention reviews; magistrate handles other release reviews in criminal cases.

Magistrate judges can order sealing/unsealing of documents by the clerk.

Motions before magistrate judges must comply with LCR 7, 10 (civil) or LCrR 12 (criminal) and electronic filing procedures.

Post-magistrate proceedings follow Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b) or Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b).

Magistrate judges may issue preliminary orders and conduct hearings in ' 2254/' 2255 cases, but final orders require district judge.

Magistrate judges may hear IRS summons enforcement or quashing proceedings.

Magistrate judges may conduct mental competency hearings in felony cases.

Magistrate judges may hear petitions for judicial review of administrative determinations.

Magistrate judges may hear post-trial relief applications for criminal convictions.

Magistrate judges may conduct evidentiary hearings and submit proposed findings/recommendations.

Objections to magistrate rulings follow Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a) or Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(a).

Magistrate judges may hear non-dispositive pretrial matters upon district judge reference.

Local rules available on Court website

Motion for extension requires proposed order

Motion is formal request for Court action

Written motion required for any Court action

Court issues final order after review

Court reviews briefs and AR after reply brief deadline

Optional reply brief permitted

SSA files responsive brief after opening brief

List all ALJ errors on page one of opening brief

Opening brief required to identify ALJ errors

Court issues briefing schedule after AR filed

SSA files administrative record within 60 days

Electronic service to SSAClerk@usdoj.gov permitted

Pro se must serve complaint and summonses if not IFP

Court serves complaint if IFP granted

Personal identifying information must be redacted from all filings

Pro se complaint form available on Court website

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