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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Joseph B. Widman

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

San Bernardino Superior Court

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Mediation BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Civil Unlimited Complaint

Court-wide
  • 1 copy

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason for Request
2Court Daysnotice
Reason for Request

Communication

Email
kcollierkosmatka@sb-court.org
Phone
(909)-708-8851
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

(909) 708-8678
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide
(760) 269-4869
Filters:

Document Format Requirements4 rules

FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

Exhibits shall be placed in A 3-ring binder with two sets for the Court, one set for the witness and one set for the opposing party.

Binding
Three-ring binder
Applies to
  • Exhibits

Formatting

  • Two sets for the Court
  • One set for the witness
  • One set for the opposing party
s36trialsettingorders
|SectionFurther Orders and Notices — Exhibits
FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

Exhibits shall be pre-marked in numerical order and if multiple pages, bates stamped at the bottom of each page

Applies to
  • Exhibits

Formatting

  • Pre-mark exhibits in numerical order
s36trialsettingorders
|SectionIdentification of Trial Documents
FormattingImportantCivil cases

IT WILL NOT PLAY BLU-RAY DISKS.

Formatting

  • Blu-ray discs cannot be played by the courtroom equipment
s36trialsettingorders
|SectionSua Sponte Rulings of the Court for Trial — Audio-Visual Equipment
FormattingImportantCivil cases

Computer-created DVDs must be compatible with the courtroom's regular DVD players, with software options set to ensure proper playback.

Court's wording

Please be sure that any DVDs you create on computers will be compatible with the regular DVD players and when creating your DVD that you are setting the correct software options to ensure proper playback in the court’s DVD player.

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionSua Sponte Rulings of the Court for Trial — Audio-Visual Equipment

Document Filing Requirements10 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Plaintiff’s Jury Instructions/Special Verdict (jury case only);

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionIdentification of Trial Documents
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Plaintiff shall submit, in compliance with CRC Rule 2.1055, a complete set of jury instructions (with a generic pleading cover sheet) with an itemized list of the CACI Instructions and special instructions, if any.

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionFurther Orders and Notices — Jury Instructions
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Defendant’s jury instructions are to be filed on the first day of trial and should only include additional instructions not previously submitted by Plaintiff and a list of objections to Plaintiff’s instructions.

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionFurther Orders and Notices — Jury Instructions
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

A party seeking an official trial record must retain a private certified shorthand reporter and submit the stipulated official-reporter appointment form to the court and Judicial Assistant.

Court's wording

Parties who wish to have an official record of the proceedings at trial must retain their own private Certified Shorthand Reporter and must submit a “Stipulation and Order For Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore” to the Court in the form found on the Court’s website and emailed or presented to the Judicial Assistant.

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionFurther Orders and Notices — Court Reporters
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Trial briefs (non-jury case only); and

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionIdentification of Trial Documents
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Oppositions to Motion(s) in Limine.

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionIdentification of Trial Documents
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Joint Statement of the Case (jury case only);

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionIdentification of Trial Documents
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Motions in limine shall comply with Local Rules 411.2 and 415

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionFurther Orders and Notices — Motions in Limine
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Joint exhibit list (In the form attached)

Document
Joint exhibit list

Include

  • Exhibit list
s36trialsettingorders
|SectionIdentification of Trial Documents
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Joint witness list;

s36trialsettingorders
|SectionIdentification of Trial Documents

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Trial documents may be filed directly in Department S-36 or electronically, but fax filing is prohibited.

The parties are ordered to meet and confer with respect to all issues arising from this Order; to exchange all necessary documents; and to file directly in the Dept S-36 or E-filed (NO FAX FILING) by the Trial Documents Filing Date, the following documents: FILE STAMP

Civil cases

Page 1 | Identification of Trial Documents

Counsel must electronically file or personally hand-deliver all identified trial documents to Department S-36 by the non-appearance Trial Document Filing Date.

The “Trial Document Filing Date” is a non-appearance date by which counsel must e-file or hand deliver (directly to Dept. S-36) all trial documents identified in this Order.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Definitions

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

The filing deadline for the required trial documents is the Monday before trial.

TRIAL DOCUMENTS FILING DATE: (Monday prior to Trial)

Civil cases

Page 1 | Trial Setting Order

Counsel must provide the exhibit binders to the court no later than 10:00 a.m. on the first day of trial.

Counsel are ordered to provide the exhibit binders no later than 10:00 on the first day of trial.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Further Orders and Notices — Exhibits

Service and Proof of Service Rules

All motions in limine must be filed directly in Department S-36, with service completed at least eight days before the Trial Readiness Conference.

Exception: Pursuant to Local Rule 411.2, all motions in limine shall be filed directly in Dept. S-36 with service completed at least 8 days before the Trial Readiness Conference.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Definitions

Chambers Communication Rules

Counsel must return one completed joint exhibit list by email to Judicial Assistant Kristen Kosmatka.

Counsel are to return one completed joint list via email to the JA Kristen Kosmatka at kcollierkosmatka@sb-court.org.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Further Orders and Notices — Exhibits

Anyone with questions should call or email Judicial Assistant Kristen Kosmatka at (909)-708-8851.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL JUDICIAL ASSISTANT Kristen Kosmatka at (909)-708-8851.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Further Orders and Notices — Local Rules

The Judicial Assistant must email the exhibit-list template to counsel.

The Court’s Judicial Assistant (JA) will email the exhibit list template to counsel.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Further Orders and Notices — Exhibits

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 248 rules apply across San Bernardino Superior Court. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 129
  • Applies to
    Appointed attorney written report

    Every court-appointed attorney must file a verified written report stating bar status and disciplinary history, professional liability coverage, and prior representations, including the represented party's name and an explanation of the representation; reports for private professional conservators or fiduciaries must be included.

  • Applies to
    Stipulation

    All interested persons must sign the written stipulation.

  • Applies to
    Final account

    If there is a pour-over will or distribution to a trust, the entire subject trust instrument and its amendments, attachments, schedules, and exhibits must be filed.

Filing Timing

All 36
  • Deadline
    5 business days

    IFHMB must receive the mediation request form at least five business days before the court-noticed mediation date.

  • The parties must immediately notify the court and file the Notice of Settlement after settling the case.

  • The debtor must promptly file the Notice of Stay after removal to bankruptcy court.

Service

All 33
  • Applies to
    Mediation brief
    Service
    Email

    Mediation briefs are not required.  If you choose to submit a mediation brief, the limit is 10 pages, including all photos and exhibits, and must be sent to mhill@ifhmb.com and amartin@ifhmb.com at least 5 days before the mediation.

  • Applies to
    Motion or oraps

    A proof of service must be filed at least 10 days before the examination for motions or ORAPS to avoid removal from the calendar.

  • Applies to
    Initial trial setting conference statement

    The Initial Trial Setting Conference Statement must be served no later than 10 days before the conference.

Adjournments

All 13
  • A continuance of the first-set trial date must be requested by a written stipulation of all parties, without an ex parte application, filed at least 15 days before the trial date.

  • Requests for continuances are governed by California Rule of Court, Rule 3.1332.

  • A party seeking a continuance or not intending to proceed must notify the Judicial Assistant and opposing counsel as soon as possible and no later than 4:30 p.m. on the second court day before the hearing.

About Judge Joseph B. Widman

Department S36, San Bernardino Justice Center, 247 W. Third Street, San Bernardino, CA. 92415

Common questions about Judge Joseph B. Widman's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Joseph B. Widman?

Judge Joseph B. Widman's formatting rule includes binding three ring binder, two sets for the court, one set for the witness, and one set for the opposing party. Exhibits must be placed in a three-ring binder, with two sets for the court, one for the witness, and one for the opposing party.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Further Orders and Notices — Exhibits

What must be included with joint exhibit list filings before Judge Joseph B. Widman?

The rule requires exhibit list. A joint exhibit list in the attached form must be filed by the Trial Documents Filing Date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Identification of Trial Documents

What must be included with joint witness list filings before Judge Joseph B. Widman?

A joint witness list must be filed by the Trial Documents Filing Date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Identification of Trial Documents

How may parties contact Judge Joseph B. Widman's chambers?

The rule lists email kcollierkosmatka@sb-court.org. Counsel must return one completed joint exhibit list by email to Judicial Assistant Kristen Kosmatka.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Further Orders and Notices — Exhibits

Is electronic filing required before Judge Joseph B. Widman?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Counsel must electronically file or personally hand-deliver all identified trial documents to Department S-36 by the non-appearance Trial Document Filing Date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Definitions

What filing deadlines apply to trial documents filings before Judge Joseph B. Widman?

The filing deadline for the required trial documents is the Monday before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Trial Setting Order

What rule applies to service for motion in limine before Judge Joseph B. Widman?

All motions in limine must be filed directly in Department S-36, with service completed at least eight days before the Trial Readiness Conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Definitions
Complete rules summary for Judge Joseph B. Widman

A joint exhibit list in the attached form must be filed by the Trial Documents Filing Date.

A joint witness list must be filed by the Trial Documents Filing Date.

Counsel must electronically file or personally hand-deliver all identified trial documents to Department S-36 by the non-appearance Trial Document Filing Date.

The filing deadline for the required trial documents is the Monday before trial.

All motions in limine must be filed directly in Department S-36, with service completed at least eight days before the Trial Readiness Conference.

Trial documents may be filed directly in Department S-36 or electronically, but fax filing is prohibited.

Trial exhibits must be pre-marked in numerical order and, when multipage, Bates stamped at the bottom of each page.

The defendant must file jury instructions on the first day of trial containing only additional instructions and objections to the plaintiff's previously submitted instructions.

In a jury case, the plaintiff must submit jury instructions and a special verdict.

In a jury case, the parties must file a joint statement of the case by the Trial Documents Filing Date.

The plaintiff must submit a complete set of jury instructions with a generic pleading cover sheet and an itemized list of CACI and special instructions.

Oppositions to motions in limine must be filed by the Trial Documents Filing Date.

Exhibits must be placed in a three-ring binder, with two sets for the court, one for the witness, and one for the opposing party.

Counsel must provide the exhibit binders to the court no later than 10:00 a.m. on the first day of trial.

The Judicial Assistant must email the exhibit-list template to counsel.

motions in limine must comply with Local Rules 411.2 and 415.

Anyone with questions should call or email Judicial Assistant Kristen Kosmatka at (909)-708-8851.

A party seeking an official trial record must retain a private certified shorthand reporter and submit the stipulated official-reporter appointment form to the court and Judicial Assistant.

The courtroom's audiovisual equipment cannot play Blu-ray discs.

Computer-created DVDs must be compatible with the courtroom's regular DVD players, with software options set to ensure proper playback.

Counsel must return one completed joint exhibit list by email to Judicial Assistant Kristen Kosmatka.

In a non-jury case, trial briefs must be filed by the Trial Documents Filing Date.

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