Judge Laura H. Miller
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
In Limine Motions
- Two Court Days Before Trial
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Document Format Requirements6 rules
All exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as: Petitioner - numbers; Respondent letters. If Respondent has more than 26 exhibits, Petitioner shall use 1-400 and Respondent shall use 401-800. Minor’s Counsel may use the Court’s Exhibit tags (brown) and shall begin with number 801.
If an Exhibit contains multiple pages, please give each page an identifying number (bates stamped) in the lower righthand corner.
The exhibit tag should not cover any part of the exhibit, i.e. the writing/numbers and/or photo. If there is not a place to adhere the tag on the front of the exhibit, place it on the back. If there are multiple pages, place it on the last page of the exhibit. The exhibit number is to be placed in the lower right-hand corner by way of an exhibit tag (Pink tag – Petitioner; Yellow tag – Respondent,) and have the case number and exhibit number pre-written
If you are submitting more than one binder, identify on the front and spine of the binder the exhibits contained therein.
No exhibit binders should be more than two (2) inches thick. Binders that exceed this limit will most likely be returned to the party for reorganization.
To assist the clerk and for the benefit of all to ensure the exhibits are correctly identified and received, please be sure the exhibit list is formatted as follows: Pet # Description ID’d Rec’d
Document Filing Requirements9 rules
They are to be exchanged by the parties according to Rule 5.394 of the California Rules of Court unless specifically ordered otherwise by the court. The trial brief form (D-241) can be located on the court’s website.
Bank records and similar documents must be broken down into monthly periods, with each month labeled as a separate exhibit and multi-page documents bates stamped.
Court's wording
Documents such as bank records should be broken down to monthly periods. For example, bank statements for the period 1/1/22 through 1/31/22 shall be labeled as exhibit 1; bank statements for the period 2/1/22 through 2/28/22 shall be labeled as exhibit 2, and so on and so forth. The multi-paged documents should be bates stamped as indicated above.
Exhibit lists are to be provided to the court. Three (3) copies are to be provided – for the court, the court clerk, and the court reporter (if one is obtained by the parties).
Please be sure to include a means of return for all exhibits.
Experts must meet and confer and provide the court a side-by-side comparison of their reports showing differences, reasons, and agreements.
Court's wording
Experts must meet and confer prior to the trial. They must prepare a side-by-side comparison that must be provided to the court showing the differences and the reasons for the differences and any agreements on the same issues for which they have submitted a report to the court for the trial (i.e. income available for support, business valuation).
Any text messages or social media posts must be identified by date and time on the exhibit.
Please be sure income and expense declarations are complete per statutory requirements and follow directions on the form FL-150.
If an interpreter is needed for a party or witness, please complete and file the Interpreter Request/Cancellation Form (SDSC ADM-348) as soon as possible. Please keep in mind, the Interpreter Request form should be filed at least 3-4 weeks in advance of the hearing/trial or it’s possible an interpreter will not be available.
When judicial notice is taken of a document/exhibit, it is not indicated “RECEIVED” on the exhibit tag. If there are impeachment exhibits, they can be identified as “the next in order” and the clerk will mark and adhere the exhibit tag.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All exhibits for the Judge's use must be uploaded using the Electronic Evidence Portal.
All exhibits for the Judge's use shall be uploaded using the Electronic Evidence Portal.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Exhibits
The Judge's copy of exhibit binders must be uploaded using the electronic evidence portal.
The Judge’s copy must be uploaded using the electronic evidence portal.
Civil cases
Page 5 | Exhibits
Trial briefs, witness lists, exhibit lists, and binders must be directly filed in Department 603; e-filing of trial documents is prohibited.
Trial briefs, witness lists, exhibit lists and binders must be directly filed in Department 603. Do not e-file trial documents. If filed in the Family Business Office, they will be sent to the assigned IC department and not this department.
Civil cases
Page 9 | Filing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Trial briefs, exhibits, exhibit lists, and witness lists are due by close of business at least five court days before trial.
Trial briefs, exhibits, exhibit lists and witness lists are due by the close of business no later than a minimum of five court days in advance of the scheduled trial, unless specifically ordered otherwise by the court.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Trial Briefs
In limine motions must be filed and served per the TSC/TRC schedule, or if none, no later than five court days before trial.
All in limine motions must be filed, served and responded to on the schedule set at the Trial Setting Conference (TSC) or Trial Readiness Conference (TRC), or if no such schedule was provided, then the motions must filed and served no later than five court days before the start of the trial or the evidentiary hearing, unless the court orders otherwise.
Civil cases
Page 7 | In Limine Motions
Opposition to in limine motions must be filed and served no later than two court days before trial.
Opposition to in limine motions must be filed and served no later than two court days before the start of the trial.
Civil cases
Page 7 | In Limine Motions
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of in limine motions and oppositions are strongly recommended two court days before trial.
It is strongly recommended that courtesy copies of motions and oppositions be provided to the department two court days prior to the start of the trial.
Civil cases
Page 7 | In Limine Motions
Filing Bundling Requirements
Each party must submit one set of 3-ring exhibit binders to the court (clerk), provide one set to the other party/counsel, and have binders available for witnesses.
Each party must submit to the court one set of 3-ring binders containing your exhibits. This copy is for the clerk The Judge’s copy must be uploaded using the electronic evidence portal. Each party must also provide one set of exhibit binders to the other party/counsel and must have binders available to any witnesses at court or at their locations, including those who will be appearing on MS Teams only.
Civil cases
Page 5 | Exhibits
Exhibits exceeding 50 pages must be compiled in 3-ring binders.
Exhibit binders: If there are more than 50 pages of exhibits, they must be compiled in 3-ring binders.
Civil cases
Page 5 | Exhibits
Chambers Communication Rules
Before delivering trial documents to Department 603, call 619-844-2063 to make an appointment with the department clerk.
Before making the delivery, please call 619-844-2063 to make an appointment with the department clerk
Civil cases
Page 9 | Filing