Department T

Courtroom Protocol

No weapons are allowed. There is no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in any courtroom.

Proper courtroom attire is required. No shorts or tank tops are allowed in the courtroom, shoes are required. T-shirts, which show offensive slogans or pictures, are not allowed. Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.

While in the courtroom, sit quietly when court is in session. Do not talk or whisper. The court proceedings are being recorded by a court recorder and noise can interfere with the preparation of this important record.

All beepers, cellular telephones, and electronic devices must be turned off before entering the courtroom. Avoid reading newspapers, or books in the courtrooms, particularly if your use of such material may be a distraction to others.

Attorneys are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times, and to strictly adhere to the opportunities, requirements, limitations, and deadlines set by the judge. All counsel are to be punctual for all conferences, hearings and trials. They are to be civil to one another as well as to all parties, witnesses, and court personnel - whether in front of a jury or the court.

Chamber Calendar

• Adoptions in chambers – No

Telephonic Appearances

• Pursuant to EDCR and prior notice to the court, appearances may be made telephonically for calendar matters. File a Notice of Intent to Appear by Communication Equipment.
• Follow the statute and case law regarding telephonic appearances at trial and evidentiary hearings.

Unopposed Motions

• Department grants unopposed motions in advance of the hearing date: Sometimes
• Department permits Zoom Orders: Sometimes

Joint Preliminary Injunctions

• Department requires a JPI to be a Court Order to be enforceable: No

Prove-up Hearings

• Does your department require a prove-up hearing for:
  • Name changes for adults? No
  • Name changes for juveniles? No
  • Final custody orders? Yes
  • Summary Divorce? No

Submission of Orders

• Does your department require prevailing counsel to submit a draft order to opposing counsel to review and return an Order? Yes
• Does your department impose a period of time for opposing counsel to review and return an Order? Yes. Reasonable period of time for opposing counsel to review and return an Order? Not more than 10 days.
• The desired method for resolving disputes regarding proposed orders?
  • Submit Order with the explanatory letter for chambers review with courtesy copy to opposing counsel
  • Set for hearing Request a telephonic conference with the court which will be on the record.

Telephonic Conferences

• Is your department available for telephonic conferences with counsel? Sometimes
• What are some of the circumstances in which your department will engage in a telephonic conference?
  • Emergencies regarding the children (medical, educational)
  • Attorney emergencies (health, conflicting trials, etc.)

Stacking Trails

• Does department stack trials? Sometimes
• Department T does not typically stack trials; occasionally two brief matters will be stacked.