Western District of Washington Chambers Communication Rules

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

All Parties appearing via video should sign in using their first and last names as they appear in filings to the Court.

All Parties appearing via video should sign in using their first and last names as they appear in filings to the Court.

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email

Phone

(206) 370-8525

Disability/health accommodations can be requested from Courtroom Deputy.

Counsel or other participants may request disability- or health-related accommodations to facilitate participation in any upcoming hearing, whether held virtually, in person, or in a hybrid format. Participants are encouraged to request accommodations as far in advance as possible by contacting Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter by email at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8525.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Accommodation requests accepted for disability/health needs via email or phone.

An attorney or other participant may request disability-related or health-related accommodations to participate in an upcoming hearing for their case, whether held virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid format. Participants are encouraged to request accommodations as far in advance as possible by contacting the Courtroom Deputy, Kadya Peter, by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8525.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Parties should contact chambers to alert the clerk when a motion becomes unopposed.

If, after filing a motion, the responding party does not oppose the motion, please contact chambers to alert the clerk that the motion has become an unopposed one.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Phone

(206) 370-8525

Parties may jointly contact the Courtroom Deputy via email or phone for time-sensitive discovery disputes.

When presented with disputes regarding discovery issues that are particularly time-sensitive, Parties may jointly contact Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter, either by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8525, to arrange a telephone conference with the Court.

INFOCivil cases

Pretrial conference agenda available on Judge Lin's Chambers Procedures page.

An agenda of topics to be covered at the pretrial conference is posted on Judge Lin's Chambers Procedures page, https://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/judges/lin-procedures.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Pro se criminal litigants held to same standards as attorneys.

Parties who represent themselves in criminal matters (i.e., appear pro se) should be aware that the Court holds them to the same standards of conduct to which it holds attorneys.

INFO

Jury voir dire starts at 9:00 a.m. with 20 minutes per side.

The jury panel is sworn for voir dire in the courtroom at 9:00; after Court-directed voir dire, the Court usually gives each side 20 minutes to conduct voir dire, and a jury is usually sworn prior to the noon recess.

INFO

15-minute break at 3:00 p.m.

15 minute mid-afternoon break is taken at approximately 3:00 p.m.

INFO

Lunch recess 12:00-1:30 p.m., jury matters at 1:15 p.m.

Noon/Lunch recess is taken at from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., if matters need to be discussed outside the presence of the jury, this will occur at 1:15 p.m.

INFO

Court recesses at 4:30 p.m.

Court recesses for the day at 4:30 p.m.

INFO

Courtroom opens at 8:15 a.m. for counsel.

The courtroom will be open and available to counsel at approximately 8:15 a.m.

INFO

Final pretrial matters at 8:30 or 8:45 a.m.

Final Pretrial matters are taken up at 8:30 or 8:45 a.m.

INFO

Counsel should be prepared to deliver opening statements and call their first witnesses on the afternoon of the first trial day.

Counsel should be prepared to deliver opening statements and call their first witnesses on the afternoon of the first trial day.

INFO

Discuss leaving trial materials overnight with courtroom deputy.

The parties should discuss leaving trial materials overnight in the courtroom with the courtroom deputy.

INFO

All parties must exit courthouse by 5:00 p.m. unless court in session.

Court Security Officers require that all parties exit the courthouse by 5:00 p.m., unless court remains in session.

INFO

15-minute break at 10:30 a.m.

15 minute mid-morning break is taken at approximately 10:30 a.m.

INFO

Courtroom must be cleared promptly if no jury matters remain.

If there are no matters to take up at the end of the day outside the presence of the jury, the courtroom needs to be cleared and closed as soon as possible so court staff can attend to other matters.

INFO

Tuesday trial days may be shortened for in-custody criminal hearings.

Judge Cartwright holds trial Monday through Friday of each week. The Tuesday trial day may be shortened if necessary to allow for in-custody hearings in criminal cases. Judge Cartwright will advise counsel in advance if the Tuesday trial day will be shortened.

INFOCivil cases

In cases referred to Magistrate Judge Tsuchida for settlement, Judge Tsuchida’s Courtroom Deputy Clerk will contact the parties to schedule the conference.

In cases referred to Magistrate Judge Tsuchida for settlement, Judge Tsuchida’s Courtroom Deputy Clerk will contact the parties to schedule the conference.

INFOCivil cases

Clerk must reassign case to Magistrate Judge upon party consent.

If the parties consent, the Clerk shall reassign the case to the Magistrate Judge as set forth under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b).

INFOCivil cases

Parties in District Judge cases can consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction via Joint Status Report.

In all cases initially assigned to a District Judge the parties shall nevertheless be afforded an opportunity to consent to having the case heard by a Magistrate Judge specifically identified in the request for a Joint Status Report.

INFOCivil cases

Clerk must provide consent forms and advise parties of reassignment process.

The Clerk shall (a) advise the parties that consent to the assigned Magistrate Judge is voluntary, consent may be declined and that a request for reassignment may be made; (b) provide the parties with a Notice of Assignment to a U.S. Magistrate Judge and Declination of Consent Form, and advise them the form must be received by the Clerk by the date designated in the form should they choose to decline consent; and (c) advise the parties that, upon receipt of a request for reassignment, the case will be assigned to a District Judge, randomly selected from the District Judges in the division where the case is properly filed.

INFOCivil cases

Clerk must promptly notify parties of assigned judges.

The Clerk shall promptly advise the parties of the identity of the designated District Judge and Magistrate Judge.

INFOCivil cases

Clerk must reassign to originally assigned Magistrate Judge if parties later consent.

If the parties later consent in such a case, the Clerk shall reassign the case to the Magistrate Judge to whom the case was initially assigned.

INFOCivil cases

Declining party's identity is not disclosed to judges.

If a party declines consent, the identity of the party declining consent will not be communicated to any judge.

INFOCivil cases

Clerk must assign IFP motions to Magistrate Judge upon filing.

Unless the Court otherwise directs, upon filing, the Clerk shall assign to a Magistrate Judge all motions and applications to proceed in forma pauperis.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Counsel may email Deputy Clerk Kelly Miller to arrange a telephone conference with the Court.

Counsel may contact the Court’s deputy clerk Kelly Miller by email at kelly_miller@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at 253-882-3828 to arrange a telephone conference with the Court.

INFOCivil cases

Electronic devices may be used for calls, email, texts, and internet in courthouse environs.

In the environs, personal electronic devices may be used to make telephone calls, transmit and receive data communications, such as email or text messages, or to access the Internet.

INFO

A district judge shall conduct any review of a magistrate judge=s order of release or detention, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ' 3145(a) or (b). All other applications for review of conditions of release in criminal cases shall be heard by a magistrate judge unless otherwise directed by a district judge.

A district judge shall conduct any review of a magistrate judge=s order of release or detention, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ' 3145(a) or (b). All other applications for review of conditions of release in criminal cases shall be heard by a magistrate judge unless otherwise directed by a district judge.

INFOCivil cases

Clerk may issue text-only docket orders electronically; unrepresented parties receive mailed notice.

The clerk of court may issue text only docket orders for any act within the clerk’s authority. A text only docket order is an order electronically entered on the case docket without an attached document and is as official and binding as if the clerk of court had signed a document containing the text. If the one or more of the parties are unrepresented and do not file electronically, the clerk of court will mail to those recipients a copy of the Notice of Electronic Filing of the text only docket order.

INFOCivil cases

Court is in continuous session year-round in Seattle/Tacoma and may hold proceedings via electronic transmission.

The court shall be in continuous session throughout the year in Seattle and in Tacoma. The court may establish other locations in this district for holding court pursuant to General Order. Nothing in this rule shall prohibit the court from conducting proceedings via electronic transmission in lieu of live court proceedings.

INFO

Contact

Email

You may also choose to effectuate service electronically as detailed in General Orders 04-15 and 05-15, by sending a copy of the summonses and complaint, along your identifying information and social security number, by email to USAWAW.SSAClerk@usdoj.gov.

You may also choose to effectuate service electronically as detailed in General Orders 04-15 and 05-15, by sending a copy of the summonses and complaint, along your identifying information and social security number, by email to USAWAW.SSAClerk@usdoj.gov.

INFOCivil cases

Personal electronic devices may be brought into the courthouse.

Personal electronic devices, such as smartphones, laptops, tablet computers, or similar functioning devices having wireless communications capabilities, may be brought into the courthouse.

INFO

Electronic filing is optional; paper filing still permitted

You are not required to use the court’s electronic filing system. If you are not computer savvy or do not have access to a computer, we recommend that you file your documents in person or through the mail.

INFO

Pretrial conference may be scheduled after discovery under LCR 16(a)(1).

The judge assigned to your case may schedule a “pretrial conference” after discovery has been completed. A pretrial conference is a meeting between the judge and the parties to narrow down the issues and resolve matters necessary to the disposition of the case, as established by LCR 16(a)(1).

INFO

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(206) 370-8440, option#2

Contact ECF Support Team by phone for CM/ECF technical questions.

For questions, please contact the ECF Support Team at (206) 370-8440, option#2 or via email at cmecf@wawd.uscourts.gov.

INFO

Contact

Email

Second registration option: electronic filing and electronic-only document service

documents and be notified via email when a document has been filed, check the SECOND option. With this option, you waive your right to file and receive documents in your case in person or by other means. You will receive all documents electronically from the court and other parties. A paper copy will not be mailed to you.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Email new case documents based on county.

You also have the option of submitting new case documents electronically. Where you email them is based on the county where the incident took place or where the defendant(s) reside (see page 6).

INFO

Contact

Email

CM/ECF system provides email notifications of all case filings

The CM/ECF system allows you to receive and view via email everything that has been filed by you, the judge, the defendants, or any other parties in your case.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

First viewing of filed documents is free; subsequent views cost $0.10 per page.

You may view a document once without being charged by clicking on the document number in the email you receive. This is known as the “free look.” Make sure you click on the document once (not twice) or you may be charged a viewing fee by PACER, which is currently .10 cents per page.

INFO

Contact

Email

First registration option: receive electronic notices but must file paper copies

To receive service of documents and notice of electronic filings to your email address, chose the FIRST option. This option does not allow you to file documents electronically. Instead, you must file a paper copy either in person or through the mail.

INFO

Contact Clerk's Office for case questions after assignment.

If you have questions after your case has been assigned a case number and judge, you may contact the Clerk’s Office at the Seattle or Tacoma office (based on case assignment) and ask to speak with a case administrator.

INFO

Contact

Email

ECF filing rules and procedures available on court website

Information about how to directly file documents into CM/ECF, the rules and procedures that must be followed and the ECF User Manual can be found on our website at www.wawd.uscourts.gov/representing-yourself-pro-se/how-to-e-file.

INFO

Contact

Email

CM/ECF support available by phone (206-370-8440) or email (cmecf@wawd.uscourts.gov), M-F 8am-5pm

Electronic Filing Assistance If you have questions about electronic filing, the CM/ECF support desk can be contacted by phone or email. (206) 370-8440 cmecf@wawd.uscourts.gov Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm

INFO

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(206) 370-8440, option#2

ECF Support Team contact information provided

For questions, please contact the ECF Support Team at (206) 370-8440, option#2 or via email at cmecf@wawd.uscourts.gov.

INFO

After-hours filing via locked drop box.

If you arrive outside of those hours, documents may be filed via the locked drop box located in the lobby of both courthouses.

INFO

Clerk's Office hours: M-F 9am-4pm.

The Clerk’s Office window is open to the public Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm. Please make sure you have completed and signed all of the required forms before submitting them to the court.

INFO

Contact

Email

Registration form can be returned via email or mail

Once you have completed the form, you can return it via email or through the mail. The court's email address and mailing address can be found at the bottom of the registration form.

INFO

Clerk can answer general questions and provide required forms for case filing.

We can:  Answer general questions about how the court works, including providing you with the required forms to open a new case.  Provide general information about court policies and procedures.