Judge Sabina A. Helton
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Upon request
Exhibits
- 4 copies • At Start of Trial
- 4 copies • First Day of Trial
Trial Documents, Motion in Limine
- 2 copies • At Final Status Conference
Communication
Phone
Phone
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Separate Trial Brief (no longer than 5 pages)
- Trial brief
- Up to 5 pages
Document Format Requirements4 rules
A separate Summation Page must be included listing each Motion in Limine number and title.
Prior to the Trial date, the exhibits must be pre-marked with the exhibit number; and a page number must appear on each page of the exhibit.
The jury instructions must be in clean format with all changes and modifications applicable to the case; that means no brackets, blank spaces or multiple options (he/she, him/her) in the instruction.
- Jury instructions
Formatting
- •No brackets
- •No blank spaces
- •No multiple options (e.g., he/she, him/her) in the instruction
Parties may display exhibits from personal devices in Department S27 but must supply their own HDMI/VGA/adapter cables (not provided by court staff) and are encouraged to test audio/visual equipment with court staff before trial.
Court's wording
VIDEO EQUIPMENT/TECHNOLOGY: Department S27 is equipped with a projector, large screen, and document camera (ELMO). Parties may digitally display exhibits via personal laptop/iPad/tablet. Parties must provide their own HDMI, VGA, and/or adapter cables for audio/visual connections. Cables will NOT be provided by court staff. Parties are encouraged to arrange with court staff to test any audio/visual equipment prior to trial.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
If a party/witness appears via LACC for testimony (ie: trial/default prove up/minor's compromise, etc.), appearance MUST be through video
Trial attorneys MUST appear in person for Final Status Conferences and trials
Counsel/parties are to provide remote witnesses copies of exhibits prior to trial/default prove up/etc.
Check in Procedures: Check in courtroom with 1 attorney card with calendar # and party represented.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Only self-represented litigants may file ex parte applications in person at the Clerk's Office on the day of the hearing.
ONLY self-represented litigants may file ex parte applications the day of the ex parte in the Clerk's Office.
Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Judgments must be submitted via eFiling and are held for 15 days for objections.
Judgments: Received via eFiling / held for 15 days for objections
Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Ex parte applications must be eFiled by 10:00 a.m. the court-day before and do not require a CRS reservation.
Ex Parte Applications: MUST be eFiled by 10:00 a.m. the court-day before. Ex Parte Applications do NOT require a reservation on CRS.
Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Trial documents must be eFiled 10 days before the Final Status Conference.
Trial Documents: Due 10 days prior to Final Status Conference / eFiling required
Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Ex parte applications must be eFiled by 10:00 a.m. the court-day before the hearing.
Ex Parte: M, T, W, TH / 8:30 a.m. / Moving Party to eFile ex parte by 10:00 a.m. the court-day before
Page 1 | HEARINGS (Dates/Start Times/Procedures)
10 days prior to the Final Status Conference hearing date, all Motions in Limine must be filed. A separate Summation Page must be included listing each Motion in Limine number and title. Any Opposition and Reply must also be timely filed prior to the hearing date. A Motion in Limine filed after the cut-off date will not be considered. Motions in Limine will be heard at the Final Status Conference.
10 days prior to the Final Status Conference hearing date, all Motions in Limine must be filed. A separate Summation Page must be included listing each Motion in Limine number and title. Any Opposition and Reply must also be timely filed prior to the hearing date. A Motion in Limine filed after the cut-off date will not be considered. Motions in Limine will be heard at the Final Status Conference.
Page 3 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Oppositions and replies to motions in limine must be timely filed before the Final Status Conference hearing date.
Any Opposition and Reply must also be timely filed prior to the hearing date.
Page 3 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Parties must meet and confer and file a list of joint trial documents (statement of case, motions in limine, witness list, exhibit list, jury instructions, special verdict form, and separate trial brief) 10 days before the Final Status Conference or trial date.
10 days prior to the Final Status Conference date or Trial date (if a Final Status Conference date is not given), the parties are instructed to meet, confer, and file the following joint trial documents: 1. Joint Statement of the Case 2. Joint Motions in Limine (Motion in Limine/Opposition/Reply) 3. Joint Witness List 4. Joint Exhibit List 5. Joint Jury Instructions 6. Joint Special Verdict Form 7. Separate Trial Brief (no longer than 5 pages)
Page 4 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Tentative rulings are posted on the court website by 4:30 p.m. one day before the hearing.
Any tentative rulings made by the court will be made available one day (by 4:30 p.m.) prior to the hearing on www.lacourt.ca.gov
Page 2 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Filing Fees and Waivers
Jury fees must be paid daily before trial starts by check payable to 'L.A.S.C.', and the trial will not proceed without payment.
DEPOSIT A JURY FEE. C.C.P. Section 631. DURING TRIAL: THE JURY FEES MUST BE PAID DAILY BEFORE THE TRIAL STARTS. The trial will not proceed without payment of these fees. The courtroom clerk will notify the parties of the amount of jury fees due for each day. Payment must be made by check, payable to “L.A.S.C.”
Page 5 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Counsel must provide the Court with 2 trial notebooks (one with all trial documents, one with all motions in limine and the summation page) brought to the Final Status Conference.
Counsel are to provide the Court with 2 trial notebooks containing all trial documents. (One notebook is to contain all trial documents and the second notebook is to contain all motions in limine and summation page). THE TRIAL NOTEBOOKS ARE TO BE BROUGHT TO THE FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE.
Page 4 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Counsel must deliver original exhibits to the Clerk and exhibit copies for the Court, witness stand, and opposing counsel, brought on the first day of trial.
Counsel are to provide the set of original exhibits for the Clerk and a copy of the exhibits for the Court, witness stand, and opposing counsel. Exhibits are to be brought on the first day of trial.
Page 4 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Separate exhibit books must be provided for the judge, clerk, witness, and counsel, and brought at the start of trial.
Separate exhibits books must be provided for: the judge, clerk, witness, and counsel. EXHIBIT BOOKS ARE TO BE BROUGHT AT THE START OF TRIAL.
Page 4 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Courtesy copies are required only if requested by the Court.
Courtesy Copies: Only if requested by Court
Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motion hearing dates must be reserved via the Court Reservation System; oppositions and replies are due per statute.
Motions/Oppositions/Replies: Date reserved via the Court Reservation System / Oppositions and Replies per statute.
Page 1 | HEARINGS (Dates/Start Times/Procedures)
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances may only be requested by Stipulation & Order or ex parte application; telephone continuances are prohibited.
Continuation Policy: Continuances can be requested by Stipulation & Order or Ex Parte. Telephone continuances are not permitted.
Page 2 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Chambers Communication Rules
Email communication with the court is prohibited unless explicitly directed by the court.
Communication with the court via email is NOT permitted, unless explicitly directed to do so.
Page 2 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Plaintiff's counsel must call Department S27 at (562) 256-2227 by 3:00 p.m. on the court day before trial to confirm the trial is going forward.
Counsel for Plaintiff must call Department S27 at (562) 256-2227 by 3:00 p.m. on the court day preceding the trial date to confirm that the trial is going forward, so that a jury panel will not be ordered unnecessarily.
Page 5 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Sanctions may be imposed against each counsel who fails to notify the court, before a prospective jury panel is requested, that the trial will not proceed due to settlement or dismissal.
Sanctions may be imposed against each counsel if parties do not inform the court, before a prospective jury panel is requested, that the trial is not going forward due to settlement or dismissal.
Page 5 | TRIAL INFORMATION
Telephonic and video appearances are permitted through LA CourtConnect, except for Final Status Conferences and trials.
Parties may make telephonic and video appearances through LA CourtConnect (please visit www.lacourt.ca.gov/lacc for details) **EXCLUDING FSC AND TRIALS**
Page 1 | COURTROOM INFORMATON
A moving party may take a motion off calendar through CRS or by calling the clerk.
Off Calendar Policy: Moving party may take a motion O/C through the Court Reservation System (CRS) or by calling the clerk.
Page 2 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)