Judge Karen M. Williams
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Brief, Supporting Papers
Adjournments
- Adjournment requests must include specific information and comply with Local Rule 6.1.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Letter via ECF
Chambers
Document Format Requirements2 rules
All parties, with the exception of pro se parties, shall file all documents, in both civil and criminal matters, via ECF. All papers electronically submitted shall, to the extent possible, be submitted in a text-searchable PDF format.
- File type
Formatting
- •Text-searchable
To the extent any party submits exhibits to support a motion, such exhibits shall be clearly labeled, dated, tabbed, and indexed.
- Exhibit
Formatting
- •Clearly labeled
- •Dated
- •Tabbed
- •Indexed
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
In limine motions due 3 weeks before trial; responsive papers due 2 weeks before trial.
Court's wording
Once the joint final pretrial order has been filed in a civil case, each party shall submit any in limine motions at least three weeks before the start of trial. Any responsive papers shall be submitted at least two weeks before the start of trial.
Joint jury questionnaire (hard copy + email) due 3 weeks before trial.
- Document
- Jury questionnaire
Must include
- •Hard copy
Court's wording
Counsel for all parties must confer with each other prior to trial and submit a joint jury questionnaire three weeks before trial in hard copy form and via email (njdnef_Williams@njd.uscourts.gov). Any additional proposed questions that could not be agreed upon should be submitted by the propounding party to the Court at the same time.
Joint jury charges (Word format + email) due 2 weeks before trial.
- Document
- Jury charges
Must include
- •Hard copy
- •Word format
Court's wording
Counsel for all parties must confer with each other prior to trial and submit joint requests to charge two weeks before trial in hard copy form and via email (njdnef_Williams@njd.uscourts.gov) in Word format. Any additional proposed charges that could not be agreed upon should be submitted by the propounding party to the Court at the same time.
All parties are required in advance of trial to digitize all evidence expected to be used at trial. When introduced into evidence, the exhibit is downloaded onto a dedicated server. During deliberations each juror will review the admitted evidence with an iPad which can only access the dedicated server.
Joint verdict sheet (Word format + email) due 2 weeks before trial.
- Document
- Verdict sheet
Must include
- •Hard copy
- •Word format
Court's wording
Counsel for all parties must confer with each other prior to trial and submit a joint verdict sheet two weeks before trial in hard copy form and via email (njdnef_Williams@njd.uscourts.gov) in Word format. If counsel cannot agree on a joint verdict sheet, counsel shall separately submit proposed verdict sheets in the same manner.
Weapons/narcotics/currency not sent to jury room; viewed in courtroom with marshal.
Court's wording
Judge Williams does not send weapons, narcotics, currency, and the like into the jury room. If jurors wish to see such an exhibit during deliberations, they are permitted to do so in the emptied courtroom with only a Deputy Marshal present.
If counsel intends to use electronic demonstrative evidence at trial, notice should be given to the Courtroom Deputy and all parties as soon as possible.
Judge Williams does not permit the defendant or counsel to review the Probation Department’s recommendation as to sentencing.
Live testimony preferred; videotaped testimony allowed only against blank background.
Court's wording
Judge Williams prefers all witness appear live at trial. Judge Williams will permit videotaped testimony at trial provided that the witness is recorded against a blank background. No videotaped testimony will be shown to a jury if there are any images,
Judge Williams may allow juror note taking and will discuss with counsel prior to trial.
Judge Williams may, if all parties agree, permit jurors to submit questions for witnesses to the Court to be posed to witnesses in civil cases only.
Include
- •Civil cases only
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of briefs and supporting papers required per Local Rule 7.1(g).
The parties shall provide courtesy copies of all briefs and supporting papers consistent with Local Rule 7.1(g).
Page 2 | III. Submissions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Adjournment requests must include specific information and comply with Local Rule 6.1.
All requests for adjournments or extensions of time, other than those pursuant to Local Rule 7.1(d)(5), must comport with Local Rule 6.1 and include: (1) the date or dates sought to be extended; (2) the number of previous requests for extensions and the Court's rulings; (3) the reason for the current request; and (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reasons given by the adversary for refusing to consent. If the requested extension affects any other scheduled dates, the request must list the proposed change for all such other dates.
Page 1 | I. Civil Motion Practice
Chambers Communication Rules
All communications with Chambers shall be by letter electronically filed via ECF. No hard copies of letters shall be delivered to the Court. Pro se parties are exempt from this requirement.
All communications with Chambers shall be by letter electronically filed via ECF. No hard copies of letters shall be delivered to the Court. Pro se parties are exempt from this requirement.
Page 2 | II. Communications with Chambers
Criminal matters: contact courtroom deputy Nicole Ramos at (856) 757-5402, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
For criminal matters, please contact Courtroom Deputy Nicole Ramos at (856) 757-5402 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Page 2 | II. Communications with Chambers