Judge Laura N. Findorff
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Document Format Requirements1 rule
All plea paperwork is to be one sided.
- Plea agreement
Formatting
- •One-sided
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
If parties fail to call/email the Court on the day of the setting, a new notice to set must be filed.
Once the Court Clerk has given dates to the filing party they must then confer with the other side and file a notice.
File the stipulated Case Management Order with the Court.
Clearly and boldly state at the top of the stipulated CMO that they have agreed to vacate the Case Management Conference.
Plea agreements must be submitted in writing and include the written rights advisement, all agreement terms, and the relevant elements and definitions for the charge.
Court's wording
All plea agreements (to include deferred sentencing agreements) shall be tendered to the Court in writing and include the written rights advisement, all terms of the agreement, and shall include all relevant elements and definitions for the charge to which the Defendant is pleading guilty per the plea agreement.
Theory of the defense instructions shall be provided to the prosecution no later than the close of the People’s case in chief.
All of the People’s proposed jury instructions, including case specific instructions, the joint list of witnesses, exhibits, and supplemental jury questionnaires shall be delivered to the Division and a copy provided to opposing counsel by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to trial.
If a supplemental questionnaire is requested, it shall be submitted to the Court and opposing counsel prior to pre-trial readiness.
Counsel are ordered to confer about redactions to audio/video exhibits prior to trial so as to minimize delays due to the editing process.
The Court alternates its criminal weeks with its domestic weeks. The parties must advise the Court at the time of arraignment if they believe the case has the possibility of going more than two weeks.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Substantive motions in limine and responses must be emailed to the Division and electronically filed.
Such documents shall be emailed to the division (D04_Courts_Div12@judicial.state.co.us) and e-filed.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | JURY TRIALS
The People’s jury-preparation documents must be emailed to the Division and electronically filed.
Such documents shall be emailed to the division (D04_Courts_Div12@judicial.state.co.us) and e-filed.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | JURY TRIALS
When possible, unsigned plea copies should be submitted through E-filing at least two days before the disposition date.
When possible, unsigned copies of such pleas shall be provided to the Court via E-filing at least two days before the disposition date.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | PLEA HEARINGS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Civil settings require seven days' notice.
Civil settings are held Tuesdays at 8:30 am (with a 7-Day notice).
Page 1 | CIVIL
The attorney who set a discovery status conference must submit a short notice of disputed issues no later than three business days beforehand, with a small number of relevant documents optionally attached.
No later than 3 business days before the status conference, the attorney who set the conference shall submit a short notice describing the disputed issues, to which they may attach a small number of relevant documents.
Page 1 | CIVIL
The clerk will not provide proceeding dates without a prior notice to set filed at least seven days before the setting date.
The clerk will not give dates for any court proceedings without prior notice. A notice to set must be filed at least 7 days prior to the setting date.
Page 1 | CIVIL
The responding attorney must submit a short response no later than two business days before the discovery status conference.
No later than 2 business days before the status conference, the other attorney shall submit a short response.
Page 1 | CIVIL
Written motions must be filed no later than 10 days before the hearing.
Written motions must be filed no later than 10 days before the hearing date.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS
If no motions hearing has been set, the moving party must schedule it no later than 30 days before trial.
If a motions hearing has not been set, the moving party shall set the matter for hearing no later than 30 days before trial.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS
All substantive motions must be filed within 45 days after arraignment.
All substantive motions shall be filed no later than 45 days after arraignment.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS
Plea agreements must be entered and accepted by the last docket day before trial, and ordinarily will not be accepted on the trial day absent extraordinary circumstances.
All plea agreements must be entered by the defendant and accepted by the Court no later than the last docket day scheduled before trial. ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, the Court will not accept plea agreements on the day of trial.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | PLEA HEARINGS
The prosecution’s jury-preparation materials are due to the Division and opposing counsel by noon on the Friday before trial.
All of the People’s proposed jury instructions, including case specific instructions, the joint list of witnesses, exhibits, and supplemental jury questionnaires shall be delivered to the Division and a copy provided to opposing counsel by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to trial.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | JURY TRIALS
Substantive motions in limine must be filed in writing on the date of the pretrial readiness conference.
Substantive motions in limine must be filed in writing on the date of the pre-trial readiness conference.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | JURY TRIALS
Responses the Court will consider must be filed by noon on the Friday before trial.
Any responses to be considered by the Court must be filed no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to trial.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | JURY TRIALS
When possible, unsigned plea copies should be submitted through E-filing at least two days before the disposition date.
When possible, unsigned copies of such pleas shall be provided to the Court via E-filing at least two days before the disposition date.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | PLEA HEARINGS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A motion to reduce bond will be heard only after proper notice to the District Attorney.
Motions to reduce bond will be heard only after proper notice has been provided to the District Attorney.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS CONCERNING BOND
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Absent extraordinary circumstances, continuance motions will not be accepted on the trial day and must be addressed by the pretrial readiness hearing or criminal docket.
ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, the Court will not accept joint motions to continue or grant continuances at the request of either party on the day of trial. Any motion seeking a continuance must be addressed no later than the readiness hearing or criminal docket before trial.
Criminal cases
Page 4 | MISCELLANEOUS
Chambers Communication Rules
If Division 12 hearings are canceled because of a courthouse closure, parties must call the next day to leave a message requesting a reset.
If the courthouse is closed due to weather or any other reason Division 12 will not be conducting hearings and parties are to call the next day to leave a message to be reset.
Page 1 | Courtroom Info; Docket Mix; WebEx Information; Location(s)
Parties may contact Division 12 when a fully briefed motion has been pending for more than 36 days.
If a fully briefed motion is pending for more than 36 days, the parties may contact Division 12 to bring it to the attention of the division 12 judicial assistants.
Page 1 | Ruling on Motions
Parties must contact Division 12 by its main telephone line or email to address civil settings.
Civil settings are held Tuesdays at 8:30 am (with a 7-Day notice). Parties are to contact the division’s main line 719-452-5244 or email D04_Courts_Div12@judicial.state.co.us
Page 1 | CIVIL
After the case management conference is vacated, the plaintiff's attorney must email court staff to obtain trial dates.
If the Case Management Conference is vacated, the plaintiff’s attorney must email court staff to obtain trial dates.
Page 1 | CIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES