Judge Stephen V. Wilson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
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Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
INSTRUCTIONS SHALL BE BRIEF, CLEAR, CONCISE, WRITTEN IN PLAIN ENGLISH, FREE OF ARGUMENT, AND SHALL BE ORGANIZED IN LOGICAL FASHION AS TO AID JURY COMPREHENSION.
- Jury instructions
Formatting
- •Brief
- •Clear
- •Concise
- •Written in plain English
- •Free of argument
- •Organized in logical fashion
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
Government must provide three copies of witness list to courtroom deputy clerk; witnesses presumed live unless marked 'by deposition'.
Court's wording
Counsel for the Government shall present my Courtroom Deputy Clerk with the following documents: a) THREE copies of the Government's witness list. It will be assumed that each listed witness will testify live unless following his or her name you state "by deposition."
Government must provide three copies of exhibit list in Local Rule 9.9 format; objected exhibits must be marked 'OBJECTED TO'.
Court's wording
b) THREE copies of the Government's exhibit list in the form specified in Local Rule 9.9 (Civil). If there is an objection to a specific exhibit, add after the description of each exhibit, the words "OBJECTED TO."
Government must deliver all exhibits with tags to Clerk by 8:45 a.m. on first trial day; defendant's counsel must affix tags to exhibits they intend to use but need not deliver them on first day.
Court's wording
c) ALL of the Government's exhibits, with official exhibit tags attached, bearing the same number shown on the exhibit list, must be delivered to the Clerk not later than 8:45 a.m. on the first day of trial. (Defendants counsel do not have to deliver their exhibits to the Clerk on the first day of trial; however, Defendants counsel is responsible for affixing exhibit tags to their exhibits which they intend to use in the Defendants case.)
In a jury trial, jury instructions are to be submitted not later than one week prior to trial.
A proposed verdict form shall be submitted one week prior to trial only in those cases where it is anticipated that a special verdict will be requested.
The parties must submit joint jury instructions and a joint proposed verdict form (if a special verdict).
The joint jury instructions shall be submitted in three sets as follows: 1) those instructions which are agreed to by all parties; 2) those instructions which are propounded by the Government to which the Defendant(s) object; and 3) those instructions which are propounded by the Defendant(s) to which the Government objects.
b) An extra copy of each deposition that will be used in lieu of live testimony or for impeachment.
a) A bench book containing a copy of all exhibits that can, as a practical matter be reproduced. (Defendants counsel shall provide, as practical, the Court with a copy of their exhibits as introduced.
Attribution and case citation for each instruction should be placed on pages following a proposed instruction.
Filing & Service rules
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel must call Courtroom Clerk by 4:30 p.m. 2 days before trial to request additional equipment.
d) If you need additional equipment, such as a shadow box, overhead projector, etc., call my Courtroom Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. 2 days BEFORE trial, so that the necessary arrangements may be made.
Criminal cases
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