Judge Christine L. Stetson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Deposition
- 2 copies • Prior to Final Pretrial Conference
Exhibits
- 2 copies • On Date Objections to Pretrial Order Are Due
Binding: Three Ring Binder
Joint Pretrial Order
- 2 copies • On Day of Filing
Binding: Tabbed Three Ring
Proposed Findings Conclusions, Memoranda of Law
- 2 copies • Upon Filing
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Cases before United States District Judge Marcia A. Crone - Limit of twelve (12) spectators, sitting six (6) feet apart. No persons under 18 years of age will be permitted in the courtroom; and
Document Format Requirements13 rules
Judge Stetson requires 6-foot distancing between non-household spectators and masks for all spectators.
Formatting
- •Face mask required
Court's wording
Cases before United States Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson - All spectators who do not reside in the same household must sit six (6) feet apart, and all spectators must wear a face mask at all times.
All persons must maintain appropriate distancing and follow staff instructions in the Courthouse.
Court's wording
Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Courthouse, to include sittin at the location assigned by a member of the court staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and court security officers ( CSOs ) to aid in maintaining distance in the Courthouse;
Exhibits must be marked with party name, case number, and exhibit number; multi-page exhibits must have consecutive page numbering.
Court's wording
The offering party shall mark his or her own exhibits before trial to include the party’s name, case number, and exhibit number on each exhibit, unless joint exhibits are to be used and marked accordingly. If an exhibit has multiple pages, each page must be numbered consecutively.
Courtroom No. 3 - Limit of twelve (12) spectators, sitting six (6) feet apart. No persons under 18 years of age will be permitted in the courtroom;
Formatting
- •Courtroom 3: max 12 spectators
- •Spectators must sit 6 feet apart
Courtroom No. 4 - All spectators who do not reside in the same household must sit six (6) feet apart, and all spectators must wear a face mask at all times;
Each person must use the hand sanitizer furnished at the front door upon entering the Courthouse;
Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the prior five (5) days is prohibited from entering the Courthouse during the CDC recommended quarantine and isolation period.
Maintain appropriate distancing in the Courthouse as directed by staff.
Formatting
- •Maintain appropriate distancing from others
Court's wording
Each person must maintain appropriate distancing from others in the Courthouse, to include sitting at the location assigned by a member of the court staff. Each person must follow the instructions of the court staff and court security officers ( CSOs ) to aid in maintaining distance in the Courthouse;
Disputed jury instructions and alternate requests must be submitted on separate pages.
Court's wording
If the parties cannot agree on a particular instruction or issue, however, such disagreement and alternate requests must be submitted on separate pages and will be resolved at the final pretrial conference or at a charge conference;
Exhibit notebooks must be looseleaf three-ring, with numbered stickers and tabs, labeled, max 3 inches, different colors per party, red tab for agreed exhibits.
- Binding
- Three-ring binder
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Numbered sticker on each document
- •Max 3 inches depth
- •Different color per party unless only joint exhibits
Court's wording
assembled in looseleaf three-ring notebooks with a numbered sticker on each document for use by the court. Such number shall also appear on a tab extending beyond the right side of the notebook. Each notebook shall be labeled on the outside cover with the name of the offering party, the case style, and the case number. Each notebook shall not exceed three (3) inches in depth. Unless only joint exhibits are used, the notebooks of each party must be of a different color, any agreed exhibits must be proceeded by a red tab page.
Portions of designations to which a party has objected should be underlined.
Each party must use a different color binder. Agreed exhibits must be proceeded by a red tab page.
Each party shall use a different color highlighter (yellow and blue are recommended for the parties and green for overlapping designations).
Document Filing Requirements51 rules
Each person must use the hand sanitizer furnished at the front door upon enterin the Courthouse;
Counsel shall submit as part of the joint pretrial order two (2) copies of the party’s witness list, listing the witnesses in the order in which they will be called and stating the estimated time for examination, on a form substantially similar to that attached.
Use of video depositions is permitted if they are edited to remove sidebar remarks and testimony to which objections are sustained.
Before trial, counsel must provide the court administrator with two copies of any deposition to be used at trial with the relevant portions highlighted.
List all facts in controversy necessary to the final disposition of the case.
Give a brief statement of the case to inform the court and/or jury of the salient facts, which the court may read to the jury panel to ascertain whether any panelists are familiar with the facts or parties involved in the case. Include names, dates, and places. The statement should not exceed one paragraph per party.
List all facts that require no proof.
List any pending motions.
Include
- •List any pending motions
State concisely in separate paragraphs what each party claims.
List the parties, their respective counsel, and the physical addresses, email address, and telephone numbers, including cell phone numbers, of counsel in separate paragraphs.
Briefly set out why the court has full and complete jurisdiction of the subject matter and the parties. If there is an unresolved jurisdictional question, state the problem.
All counsel requiring authentication of an exhibit must notify the offering counsel in writing within three (3) business days after the exhibit is made available. Failure to object in writing concedes authenticity.
The settlement section must include status of negotiations, whether efforts exhausted, current demand and offer, and likelihood of settlement.
Court's wording
Include a statement as to the status of settlement negotiations, and, if applicable, that all settlement efforts have been exhausted. State the current settlement demand and offer and whether the case can reasonably be expected to settle.
Counsel shall submit a written summary of the qualifications of each expert witness.
State briefly the disputed issues of law.
State the legal principles governing this case that are not in dispute.
Deposition designations must cite pages and lines; objections with supporting authority must be filed by scheduling order deadline.
Court's wording
If a witness is to appear by deposition, cite the inclusive pages and lines to be read. Objections to those portions (citing pages and lines) with supporting authority shall be filed by the date set forth in the scheduling order.
Include in this paragraph the following: (a) Whether trial will be jury or non-jury;
The witness section must include a statement about reporting additional witnesses and the exception for rebuttal/impeachment witnesses.
Court's wording
Include in this section the following statement: In the event there are any other witnesses to be called at the trial, their names, addresses, and the subject matter of their testimony shall be reported to opposing counsel as soon as they are known. This restriction shall not apply to rebuttal or impeachment witnesses, the necessity of whose testimony cannot reasonably be anticipated before the time of trial.
Counsel shall make the exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel on or before the date the joint pretrial order is due.
Each counsel shall attach to the joint pretrial order two (2) copies of a list on a form substantially similar to that attached of all exhibits expected to be offered.
MEMORANDA OF AUTHORITIES MUST BE FILED TO ADDRESS EACH OF THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE CASE.
The court will admit into evidence all exhibits listed in the final pretrial order unless opposing counsel files written objections with authorities by the date set forth in the scheduling order. The filing should include copies of the disputed exhibit and relevant authority.
Each counsel must attach two copies of a witness list with names, addresses, order of appearance, subject matter, and estimated examination time.
Court's wording
Each counsel shall attach two (2) copies of a list in a form substantially similar to that attached setting forth the names and addresses of each witness (not counsel’s address) who will or may be called at trial in the order of his or her appearance, including a brief statement of the subject matter and substance of his or her testimony, as well as the estimated time for his or her examination.
(a) Liquids, aerosols, or gels. This includes bottles of water.
(d) Vape pens.
(b) Laser Lights / Pointers.
With respect to electronic communication devices, in addition to the restrictions provided in General Order 18-6, impaneled petit and grand jurors may check such devices into the Clerk s Office and access them during breaks in the judicial proceedings.
(c) Cigarette Lighters.
Visitors and guests to the Courthouse are not per itted to bring any of the following items into the Courthouse without prior approval from a District or Magistrate Judge:
A statement of the exact issues presented for review, set forth in separate numbered paragraphs.
Brief must include short conclusion stating relief sought; issues not discussed at oral argument are abandoned
- Document
- Brief
Include
- •Short conclusion stating the relief sought
Court's wording
A short conclusion stating the relief sought. The issues before the court are limited to the exact issues properly raised in the briefs. Any issue raised in the briefs but not discussed at oral argument, if one is held, will be deemed abandoned.
Brief must include argument with specific record citations and jurisdictional case citations
Court's wording
An argument. The argument may be preceded by a summary. The argument shall be divided into sections separately treating each issue and must set forth the contentions of plaintiff with respect to the issues presented and reasons therefor. Each contention must be supported by specific reference to the portion of the record relied upon and by citations to statutes, regulations, and cases supporting plaintiff's position. Cases from other districts and circuits should be cited only in conjunction with relevant cases from this jurisdiction or if authority on point from this jurisdiction does not exist. Citations to unreported district court opinions must be accompanied by a copy of the opinion.
A statement of the case. This statement should indicate, briefly, the course of the proceeding and its disposition at the administrative level and should set forth a general statement of the facts. This statement of the facts shall include plaintiff's age, education, and work experience; an outline of the medical evidence; and a brief summary of other evidence of record. Each statement of fact shall be supported by a reference to the page in the record where the evidence may be found.
- Document
- Brief
Must include
- •Statement of facts
A party seeking to amend the scheduling order should file a motion and attach a proposed scheduling order using deadlines that are business days consistent with the bolded instructions on the sample scheduling order form and following the format of the most recently entered scheduling order in that case.
Joint pretrial order must include motions in limine, proposed charge and interrogatories (or proposed findings and conclusions), and be signed by all counsel.
Court's wording
The joint pretrial order, including motions in limine and a proposed charge and interrogatories or proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall be filed on or before the date set forth in the scheduling order. ... Joint pretrial orders must be signed by all counsel.
Exhibit lists and objections; Witness lists and objections; Deposition designations and objections.
Memoranda of law on disputed issues of law;
Motions in limine.
Findings and conclusions must be in a form suitable for ruling from the bench after closing arguments;
Counsel shall prepare three (3) additional sets of exhibit notebooks in the form described above for use (1) on the witness stand, (2) by the court reporter, and (3) by the court administrator.
written objections supported by authority
Counsel shall attach to the joint pretrial order two (2) copies of the list of all exhibits to be offered on a form substantially similar to that attached
Place the proposed interrogatories at the end of the document, after all instructions and definitions.
Each requested instruction and definition should be simple, concise, and include citation of authority.
If joint exhibits are agreed upon, they must each be marked with the case name, case number, and exhibit number.
Post-trial briefs should be limited to specific issues requested by the court during or after trial.
If no agreement can be reached, the offering party shall mark his or her own exhibits with the party's name, case number, and exhibit number on each exhibit to be offered.
Counsel requiring authentication of an exhibit must notify offering counsel in writing
Court employees and other building tenants are exempt from this policy.
This standing order governs all actions filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and assigned to the undersigned.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The agreed charge for jury trials must be filed electronically on CM/ECF.
An agreed charge, including proposed jury instructions (aside from usual prefatory or boilerplate instructions), definitions, and interrogatories shall be filed on CM/ECF electronically.
Page 2 | (b)(2)(A)(i)
Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be filed electronically on CM/ECF.
Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law filed on CM/ECF electronically.
Page 3 | For Non-Jury Trials
For jury trials, specified documents must be filed electronically on CM/ECF.
For jury trials, file the following electronically on CM/ECF AND DELIVER TWO COURTESY COPIES TO CHAMBERS: (a) Proposed questions for judge-conducted voir dire examination, if any (see above); (b) Agreed charge, including proposed jury instructions, definitions, interrogatories, and authority; (c) Memoranda of law on disputed issues of law; (d) Motions in limine.
Page 9 | Additional Required Attachments
For non-jury trials, proposed findings/conclusions and memoranda of law must be filed electronically on CM/ECF.
For non-jury trials, file the following electronically on CM/ECF AND DELIVER TWO COURTESY COPIES TO CHAMBERS: (a) Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, separating those agreed from those in dispute. The conclusions of law must include citation of authority. (b) Memoranda of law on disputed issues of law.
Page 9 | Additional Required Attachments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Objections to exhibits, witnesses, deposition excerpts, and responses to motions in limine must be filed by the deadline in the scheduling order.
The court will admit all exhibits listed in the joint pretrial order into evidence at the final pretrial conference unless opposing counsel files written objections supported by authority within the deadline provided in the scheduling order. Objections and responses to objections to proposed exhibits, witnesses, and deposition excerpts, as well as responses to motions in limine, shall be filed by the date set forth in the scheduling order.
Page 4 | Exhibits
A final revised exhibit list must be submitted to the court administrator prior to the final pretrial conference.
shall submit to the court administrator prior to the final pretrial conference a final revised list of exhibits to be offered.
Page 4 | Exhibits
Counsel requiring authentication must notify offering counsel in writing within 3 business days after exhibit is made available.
Counsel requiring authentication of an exhibit must notify offering counsel in writing within three (3) business days after the exhibit is made available for examination. Failure to do so is an admission of authenticity.
Page 4 | Exhibits
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Counsel must assemble trial exhibits and make them available to opposing counsel on or before the date the joint pretrial order is due.
Counsel for each party shall assemble all documents, photographs, or other materials expected to be used at trial. Such documents or copies must be made available to opposing counsel on or before the date the joint pretrial order is due.
Page 4 | Exhibits
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Two color courtesy copies of the joint pretrial order and attachments, bound in looseleaf three-ring notebooks with dividers, must be delivered to chambers on the day of filing.
ON THE DAY OF FILING, TWO (2) COLOR COURTESY COPIES OF THE JOINT PRETRIAL ORDER AND ATTACHMENTS, BOUND IN LOOSELEAF THREE-RING NOTEBOOKS WITH DIVIDERS, ARE TO BE DELIVERED TO CHAMBERS.
Page 2 | (b)(1)
Two courtesy copies of exhibits must be delivered to chambers in looseleaf three-ring notebooks with specific formatting, on the date objections to the pretrial order are due.
Two (2) courtesy copies of the exhibits shall be assembled in looseleaf three-ring notebooks with a numbered sticker on each document for use by the court. Such number shall also appear on a tab extending beyond the right side of the notebook. Each notebook shall be labeled on the outside cover with the name of the offering party, the case style, and the case number. Each notebook shall not exceed three (3) inches in depth. Unless only joint exhibits are used, the notebooks of each party must be of a different color, any agreed exhibits must be proceeded by a red tab page. The parties shall confer on notebook colors prior to submission. THESE NOTEBOOKS SHALL BE DELIVERED TO CHAMBERS ON THE DATE OBJECTIONS TO THE PRETRIAL ORDER AND ATTACHMENTS ARE DUE.
Page 4 | Exhibits
Two courtesy copies of marked depositions must be delivered to chambers before the final pretrial conference.
TWO (2) COURTESY COPIES OF THE DEPOSITIONS SO MARKED SHALL BE DELIVERED TO CHAMBERS PRIOR TO THE FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE.
Page 5 | Use of Depositions
Unredacted witness list must be included with courtesy copies of the joint pretrial order.
include unredacted versions of the witness list with the courtesy copies of the joint pretrial order
Page 5 | Witnesses
For jury trials, specified documents must be filed electronically on CM/ECF and two courtesy copies delivered to chambers.
For jury trials, file the following electronically on CM/ECF AND DELIVER TWO COURTESY COPIES TO CHAMBERS: (a) Proposed questions for judge-conducted voir dire examination, if any (see above); (b) Agreed charge, including proposed jury instructions, definitions, interrogatories, and authority; (c) Memoranda of law on disputed issues of law; (d) Motions in limine.
Page 9 | Additional Required Attachments
For non-jury trials, proposed findings/conclusions and memoranda of law must be filed electronically on CM/ECF and two courtesy copies delivered to chambers.
For non-jury trials, file the following electronically on CM/ECF AND DELIVER TWO COURTESY COPIES TO CHAMBERS: (a) Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, separating those agreed from those in dispute. The conclusions of law must include citation of authority. (b) Memoranda of law on disputed issues of law.
Page 9 | Additional Required Attachments
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Personal identifiers must be redacted from the witness list before filing.
Any personal identifiers must be redacted before filing
Page 5 | Witnesses
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the prior five (5) days is prohibited from entering the Courthouse during the CDC recommended quarantine and isolation period.
Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the prior five (5) days is prohibited from entering the Courthouse during the CDC recommended quarantine and isolation period.
Page 2 | General Courthouse Requirements
Chambers Communication Rules
CSOs must deny entry to anyone violating protocols and contact Marshal for uncertain cases.
It is further ORDERED that all CSOs, following substantive guidance provided by this order and administrative guidance from the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas ( EDTX ), shall deny entry to anyone attempting to enter, or remain in, the Courthouse in violation of these protocols. In the event of any uncertainty as to whether a person should be denied entrance to the Courthouse, the CSOs shall immediately contact the U.S. Marshal for the EDTX or the designated Deputy Marshal for a determination, which shall control.
Page 2
b. If you are an attorney scheduled to appear in court before a judge, please contact that judge s chambers directly by telephone, and if necessary, follow up by email;
b. If you are an attorney scheduled to appear in court before a judge, please contact that judge s chambers directly by telephone, and if necessary, follow up by email;
Page 3 | b
c. If you are scheduled to meet with a Probation or Pretrial Services Officer, please contact the Probation and Pretrial Services Office directly for guidance and instructions; and
c. If you are scheduled to meet with a Probation or Pretrial Services Officer, please contact the Probation and Pretrial Services Office directly for guidance and instructions; and
Page 3 | c
Contact Deputy Clerk's office at (409) 654-7000 for other courthouse matters.
d. For any other Courthouse matters, please contact the office of the Deputy Clerk in Charge of the Be umont Division at (409) 654-7000.
Page 3 | d