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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Joni Hiramoto

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Contra Costa Superior Court

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Memorandum Points and AuthoritiesCourt-wide
15 pgs
Mediation StatementCourt-wide
5 pgs
Review Hearing UpdateCourt-wide
5 pgs
Optional Memorandum of Points and AuthoritiesCourt-wide
15 pgs
BriefCourt-wide
4,200 wds
Evidentiary AttachmentsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Account, Report, Petition

Court-wide
  • At Filing
  • Probate:Upon Filing

Account, Report, Petition for Guardian or Conservator, Petition for Temporary Guardian or Conservator, Accounting, Petition for Medical Consent Authority, Related Pleadings

Court-wide
  • At Filing

Account, Report, Petition, Guardian or Conservator Appointment Petition, Temporary Guardian or Conservator Appointment Petition, Accounting, Medical Consent Authority Petition

Court-wide
  • 1 copy • Upon Filing

Account, Report, Petition, Guardianship or Conservatorship Petition, Temporary Guardianship or Conservatorship Petition, Medical Consent Petition

Court-wide
  • At Filing

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason for Request
20Calendar Daysnotice
5Court Daysnotice
24Hoursnotice
Reason for RequestAdversary Position
2Court Daysnotice
10Court Daysnotice
48Hoursnotice
2Calendar Daysnotice
10Calendar Daysnotice
Reason for Request

Communication

Email
Court-wide

Clerk

mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

(925) 608-1000
Technical Issues
Hours: business hours
No status inquiries
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

(925) 608-2613
Status InquiriesTechnical Issues
Hours: 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide
Scheduling
Hours: from 30 minutes prior to the start of the court session through the court session
Filters:

Document Format Requirements7 rules

FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

Mini Openings (pre voir dire) must not exceed 2 minutes in presentation time and may not include any electronic presentation.

Applies to
  • Mini opening

Formatting

  • May not include any electronic presentation
d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 1|SectionSTATEMENT OF CASE TO BE READ TO JURY
FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

an electronic version of the printed instructions in Word.

File type
Word
d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 3|SectionJury Instructions (CACI)
FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

a hard copy of the full text of printed instructions (excluding “Directions for Use” notes)

File type
Paper

Formatting

  • Full text of printed instructions
  • Exclude Directions for Use notes
d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 3|SectionJury Instructions (CACI)
FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

both in hard copy and an electronic version in Word.

File type
Word

Formatting

  • Hard copy
d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 4|SectionProposed Verdict Form
FormattingImportantCivil cases

Five court days prior to the Issue Conference, each party must file and serve a TRIAL BRIEF with tabbed sections containing:

Applies to
  • Trial brief

Formatting

  • Contains tabbed sections
d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 1|SectionTrial Briefs
FormattingImportantCivil cases

You must include your own MILs and the opposition thereto in a tabbed section of your trial binder.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 1|SectionMOTIONS IN LIMINE AND THE OPPOSING PARTY’S ANSWERS TO YOUR MILs
FormattingImportantCivil cases

Exhibit list to be submitted in both hard copy and electronically submitted to court as a Word Document.

File type
Word
Applies to
  • Exhibit list
d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 2|SectionEXHIBIT LIST

Document Filing Requirements10 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Each exhibit-list entry must indicate stipulated admissibility or, when admissibility is not stipulated, the objecting party's admissibility objections.

Court's wording

When the Exhibit Lists are submitted to the Court with the Trial Brief (five court days in the advance of the Issue Conference), each exhibit must have an indication whether admissibility is stipulated, or if not, the objecting party’s objections to admissibility.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 1|SectionExhibit Lists
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Each exhibit on your Exhibit List must have indication as to whether the Parties have stipulated to admissibility or briefly list the objections to admissibility made by the opposing party.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 3|SectionExhibit Lists
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Counsel must list any restrictions on a witness’ anticipated availability and work with opposing counsel on stipulations for taking a witness out of order in order to accommodate these restrictions.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 3|SectionStatement on Witness Availability
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Parties are to submit a numbered list of requested CACI instructions, a hard copy of the full text of printed instructions (excluding “Directions for Use” notes), and an electronic version of the printed instructions in Word.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 3|SectionJury Instructions (CACI)
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

You must give the court notice if a party requires a spoken language interpreter and the language needed.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 3|SectionStatement on Need for Foreign Language Interpreters
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Counsel must have a confirmed order of witnesses for the next fully court day.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 3|SectionStatement on Witness Availability
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

List all parties and witnesses who will request or required assistance from a spoken language interpreter.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 3|SectionStatement on Need for Foreign Language Interpreters
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Parties must submit a proposed verdict form both in hard copy and an electronic version in Word.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 4|SectionProposed Verdict Form
Filing RequirementsImportantCivil cases

Each document must be specifically identified, e.g., by Bates pages, by page and line of Deposition designation, etc.

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 2|SectionEXHIBIT LIST
Filing RequirementsImportantCivil cases

Exhibits are to be listed in a Word Table with columns headed: NUMBER, DESCRIPTION OF DOC, NATURE OF ITEM (i.e., hard copy, electronic still shot, electronic audio, electronic video) and blank column labeled “IDENTIFIED” “ADMISSION STIPULATED” AND “ADMITTED”]

d32-orders-issue-conference-1 0 · p. 2|SectionEXHIBIT LIST

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

The exhibit list must be submitted to the court in both hard-copy and electronic Word-document form.

Exhibit list to be submitted in both hard copy and electronically submitted to court as a Word Document.

Civil cases

Page 2 | EXHIBIT LIST

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Exhibit lists are submitted with the trial brief five court days before the Issue Conference, and each exhibit must state whether admissibility is stipulated or identify the objections to admissibility.

When the Exhibit Lists are submitted to the Court with the Trial Brief (five court days in the advance of the Issue Conference), each exhibit must have an indication whether admissibility is stipulated, or if not, the objecting party’s objections to admissibility.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Exhibit Lists

Each party must file and serve a trial brief with tabbed sections at least five court days before the Issue Conference.

Five court days prior to the Issue Conference, each party must file and serve a TRIAL BRIEF with tabbed sections containing:

Civil cases

Page 1 | Trial Briefs

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party, rather than filed, at least 10 court days before the Issue Conference.

Motions in Limine are to be served on opposing party [not filed] 10 court days in advance of issue conf;

Civil cases

Page 1 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE AND THE OPPOSING PARTY’S ANSWERS TO YOUR MILs

Answers to motions in limine must be served at least three court days before the Issue Conference.

answers to MILs to be served 3 court days in advance of issue conference.

Civil cases

Page 1 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE AND THE OPPOSING PARTY’S ANSWERS TO YOUR MILs

The designated video-deposition or transcript portions must be provided in writing to opposing counsel one month before the Issue Conference.

If the witness is to appear by video deposition or by reading of designated testimony: those portions of the video or the of the deposition transcript must be provided in writing to opposing counsel one month in advance of Issue Conference.

Civil cases

Page 2 | WITNESS LIST

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 5570 rules apply across Contra Costa Superior Court. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 2246
  • Applies to
    Neutral case evaluator statement

    The neutral case evaluator statement must identify each attendee’s name and title or relationship to the case.

  • Applies to
    Accounting report

    When bond is required, the report must state the controlled personal property’s current value, estimated annual income, net saleable real-property value, and applicable guardianship or conservatorship public benefits and recipient identity.

  • Applies to
    Joint statement of contested issues

    The parties must file a Joint Statement of Contested Issues with required information and, if applicable, a payment-calculation spreadsheet; if they cannot agree, each must instead file and serve a separate statement containing the same information.

Service

All 1078

  • When an heir’s or beneficiary’s address is unknown, a declaration detailing the search efforts is required before notice may be excused or an alternative notice prescribed.

  • Deadline
    5 calendar days
    Applies to
    Objection

    Objections to motions in limine must be filed and served 5 calendar days before the issue conference, with a copy lodged with the assigned department's chambers.

  • Deadline
    5 calendar days
    Applies to
    Opposition statement

    The opposition statement must be served within 5 calendar days after the party receives the early conference request.

Filing Timing

All 817
  • Deadline
    5 calendar days

    Unless the court orders otherwise upon a showing of good cause, moving papers on shortened time must be filed and personally served at least five calendar days before the hearing, and opposing papers must be filed and served at least two calendar days before it.

  • The first guardian or conservator account is due by the first anniversary of appointment, and subsequent accounts are due at least biennially.

  • Deadline
    45 calendar days

    The request for dismissal, stipulated judgment, or conditional settlement must be filed within 45 calendar days after written notice of settlement.

Adjournments

All 380

  • Attorneys should grant reasonable opposing counsel extension requests when the extension will not prejudice their client or unduly delay the proceeding, consistently with governing law and court orders.

  • An untimely motion to continue may result in sanctions unless the moving party shows good cause for the untimeliness.

  • Every continuance request, written agreement, or stipulation must include facts showing good cause for the continuance.

More categories

View all Contra Costa Superior Court rules
About Judge Joni Hiramoto

Judge Joni Hiramoto sits in Department 32 at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse. Department telephone: (925) 608-1132. Department mailbox: dept32@contracosta.courts.ca.gov

Common questions about Judge Joni Hiramoto's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Joni Hiramoto?

Judge Joni Hiramoto's formatting rule includes file format docx and hard copy. The proposed verdict form must be submitted in hard-copy and electronic Word formats.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Proposed Verdict Form

What must be included with statement on need for foreign language interpreters filings before Judge Joni Hiramoto?

The statement on interpreter needs must identify all parties and witnesses requesting spoken-language interpreter assistance.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Statement on Need for Foreign Language Interpreters

What must be included with exhibit list filings before Judge Joni Hiramoto?

Each exhibit-list entry must indicate stipulated admissibility or, when admissibility is not stipulated, the objecting party's admissibility objections.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Exhibit Lists

Is electronic filing required before Judge Joni Hiramoto?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. The exhibit list must be submitted to the court in both hard-copy and electronic Word-document form.

View ruleSource: page 2, section EXHIBIT LIST

What filing deadlines apply to trial brief filings before Judge Joni Hiramoto?

Each party must file and serve a trial brief with tabbed sections at least five court days before the Issue Conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Trial Briefs

What rule applies to service for motion in limine before Judge Joni Hiramoto?

Details: recipient: the opposing party. Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party, rather than filed, at least 10 court days before the Issue Conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTIONS IN LIMINE AND THE OPPOSING PARTY’S ANSWERS TO YOUR MILs
Complete rules summary for Judge Joni Hiramoto

The electronic exhibit-list submission must be formatted as a Word document.

The proposed verdict form must be submitted in hard-copy and electronic Word formats.

Each party must file and serve a trial brief with tabbed sections at least five court days before the Issue Conference.

The trial brief must contain tabbed sections.

A mini opening may not exceed two minutes or include an electronic presentation.

The statement on interpreter needs must identify all parties and witnesses requesting spoken-language interpreter assistance.

Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party, rather than filed, at least 10 court days before the Issue Conference.

Answers to motions in limine must be served at least three court days before the Issue Conference.

The designated video-deposition or transcript portions must be provided in writing to opposing counsel one month before the Issue Conference.

Exhibit lists are submitted with the trial brief five court days before the Issue Conference, and each exhibit must state whether admissibility is stipulated or identify the objections to admissibility.

Each exhibit-list entry must indicate stipulated admissibility or, when admissibility is not stipulated, the objecting party's admissibility objections.

The exhibit list must be submitted to the court in both hard-copy and electronic Word-document form.

The exhibit list must use a Word table containing the prescribed columns for number, description, item nature, identification, admission stipulation, and admission status.

Each exhibit-list document must be specifically identified, such as by Bates page or deposition-designation page and line.

Every exhibit must indicate stipulated admissibility or list the opposing party’s admissibility objections.

Counsel must identify anticipated witness-availability restrictions and work with opposing counsel to stipulate to testimony out of order when needed.

A party requiring a spoken-language interpreter must notify the court and identify the language needed.

A hard copy of the full printed CACI instruction text must be submitted without the Directions for Use notes.

Parties must submit a proposed verdict form in both hard-copy and electronic Word formats.

Parties must submit a numbered list of requested CACI instructions, a hard copy of the full printed instruction text excluding Directions for Use notes, and an electronic Word version.

The trial binder must include a tabbed section containing the party's motions in limine and the opposition to them.

An electronic Word version of the printed CACI instructions must be submitted.

Counsel must have a confirmed witness order for the next full court day.

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