Judge Janet A. Cabral
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Upon request
Adjournments
- Extension/continuance requests must be joint motions after meet and confer, stating good cause and opposition basis, filed before deadline absent extraordinary circumstances.
Request must include
- Discovery dispute deadlines cannot be unilaterally extended; extensions require court leave and good cause showing.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Stipulated protective orders must be filed as joint motions, with a Word copy emailed to chambers; use of model order is encouraged.
- File type
- Word
- Protective order
Formatting
- •File as joint motion
Court's wording
All stipulated protective orders must be filed as a joint motion. The parties must email a copy of the proposed protective order in Word format to efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov. The parties are encouraged to use the District Court’s model protective order, which is available on the District Court’s website.
All proposed orders should be submitted by email (efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov) in Word format and should be free of any attorney names, firm names, document management numbers or insignia in the caption, margins or footer.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
Where briefing has been ordered by the Court, counsel should attach only those exhibits that are necessary to the resolution of the parties’ dispute. Generally speaking, this does not include counsel’s meet and confer correspondence. The foregoing requirements apply to all discovery disputes.
Document Filing Requirements1 rule
If the parties reach a settlement outside the presence of the Court, counsel must promptly email chambers to advise of the settlement and file a Notice of Settlement.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Sealed documents must be filed via ECF using the “Sealed Lodged Proposed Document” event immediately after filing the motion to seal.
After filing a motion to seal, the moving party must immediately file the proposed sealed documents in CM/ECF using the “Sealed Lodged Proposed Document” event pursuant to ECF Manual Section 2(j).
Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal
All proposed orders should be submitted by email (efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov) in Word format and should be free of any attorney names, firm names, document management numbers or insignia in the caption, margins or footer.
All proposed orders should be submitted by email (efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov) in Word format and should be free of any attorney names, firm names, document management numbers or insignia in the caption, margins or footer.
Page 3 | J. Chambers Copies and Proposed Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Plea-related documents must be lodged by noon the day before the change of plea hearing, or the hearing is rescheduled.
The parties must lodge all plea-related documents no later than noon the day before any change of plea hearing. Where plea-related documents are not timely lodged, the change of plea will be taken off calendar and rescheduled for another day.
Page 1 | II. Criminal Rules
Discovery dispute procedures must be initiated within 45 calendar days of the dispute event (deposition completion or written response service/due date).
The parties must initiate the procedure described in section C above within 45 days of the event giving rise to the dispute. For disputes regarding depositions, the event giving rise to the dispute is the completion of the deposition. For disputes regarding written discovery, the event giving rise to the dispute is the date the initial response was served, or, if a party fails to respond, the date the response was due.
Page 2 | III. Civil Rules D. Timing For Raising Discovery Disputes
Where the party requesting sealing is not the designating party (i.e., the request to seal is made because another party has designated information “confidential”), the designating party must file a joinder in the motion to seal within 4 business days of service and must make the required showing that the information is protectable under the law. The fact that the information has been designated confidential pursuant to a stipulated protective order, standing alone, is not a sufficient basis for sealing. Any opposition to a motion to seal must also be filed within 4 business days of service.
Where the party requesting sealing is not the designating party (i.e., the request to seal is made because another party has designated information “confidential”), the designating party must file a joinder in the motion to seal within 4 business days of service and must make the required showing that the information is protectable under the law. The fact that the information has been designated confidential pursuant to a stipulated protective order, standing alone, is not a sufficient basis for sealing. Any opposition to a motion to seal must also be filed within 4 business days of service.
Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Sealing applications must be served on the document custodian if they have not appeared in the action.
Any application to file a document under seal must be served on the person or entity that has custody and control of the document, if that person or entity has not already appeared in the action.
Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of motions, exhibits, and lodgments are not required unless the Court specifically requests them.
Chambers (courtesy) copies of motions, exhibits and lodgments are not required unless specifically requested by the Court.
Page 3 | J. Chambers Copies and Proposed Orders
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Motions to seal must include a specific showing that the material is legally protectable.
The public enjoys a presumptive right of access to court records, and any motion to file information under seal must be supported by a specific showing that the material is protectable under the law.
Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal
The public version should be a slip sheet for a document proposed to be sealed entirely or a document with the proposed sealed information redacted.
The public version should be a slip sheet for a document proposed to be sealed entirely or a document with the proposed sealed information redacted.
Page 3 | G. Motions to Seal
If the moving party seeks to seal an entire document, it should lodge the document in full. If the moving party seeks to seal only portions of the document by using redactions, the document should be lodged with the proposed redactions highlighted in yellow for the Court’s consideration.
If the moving party seeks to seal an entire document, it should lodge the document in full. If the moving party seeks to seal only portions of the document by using redactions, the document should be lodged with the proposed redactions highlighted in yellow for the Court’s consideration.
Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Deposition disputes require immediate meet and confer; unresolved disputes may be called in to chambers for ruling.
If a dispute arises during a deposition, the parties must suspend the deposition and immediately meet and confer. If the dispute is not resolved after meeting and conferring, the parties may call chambers for an immediate ruling on the dispute.
Page 1 | III. Civil Rules B. Disputes During Depositions
After meet and confer exhaustion, movant must email chambers to request pre-motion conference, including required content and copying all counsel.
After meet and confer attempts in compliance with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a have been exhausted, the movant must e-mail chambers at efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov seeking a pre-motion conference to discuss the discovery dispute. The email must include: (1) at least three proposed dates and times mutually agreed upon by the parties for the conference; (2) a brief neutral statement of the dispute; and (3) one sentence describing (not arguing) each party’s position. The movant must copy all counsel on the email.
Page 1 | III. Civil Rules C. Other Discovery Disputes
Lead counsel must comply with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a (meet and confer) before bringing any matter to the Court.
Before bringing any matter to the Court for resolution, lead counsel (or attorneys with full authority to make decisions on the matter in dispute) must comply with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a.
Page 1 | III. Civil Rules A. Meet and Confer Requirement
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Discovery dispute deadlines cannot be unilaterally extended; extensions require court leave and good cause showing.
The parties may not unilaterally extend these deadlines by stipulation or by service of amended or supplemental responses. Any extension requires leave of Court upon a showing of good cause.
Page 2 | III. Civil Rules D. Timing For Raising Discovery Disputes
Extension/continuance requests must be joint motions after meet and confer, stating good cause and opposition basis, filed before deadline absent extraordinary circumstances.
Requests to extend, amend, continue, or vacate dates and deadlines must be made by joint motion after counsel for the parties have met and conferred by telephone or videoconference. The motion must state good cause for the extension and the basis for any party’s opposition (if opposed). Absent extraordinary circumstances, motions should be filed prior to the date of the deadline sought to be modified.
Page 2 | III. Civil Rules E. Motions to Extend, Amend, Continue or Vacate Dates or Deadlines
Chambers Communication Rules
If Judge unavailable for deposition dispute, mark deposition at dispute point, continue, then meet and confer again post-deposition and follow discovery dispute procedures.
If Judge Cabral is available, she will either rule on the dispute or give further instructions. If Judge Cabral is not available, the parties must mark the deposition at the point of the dispute and continue with the deposition. Upon completion of the deposition, the parties must once again meet and confer and then follow the procedures in sections C and D below.
Page 1 | III. Civil Rules B. Disputes During Depositions
Chambers calls/emails are only allowed for scheduling/calendaring and discovery disputes; personnel cannot give legal advice, only counsel with case knowledge may contact.
Telephone calls and emails to chambers are permitted only for administrative matters such as scheduling and calendaring, and to bring discovery disputes to the Court’s attention pursuant to these Rules. Court personnel are prohibited from giving legal advice or discussing the merits of a case. Only counsel with knowledge of the case should contact chambers.
Page 1 | I. General Matters
Counsel must email chambers to notify of case settlement.
If the parties reach a settlement outside the presence of the Court, counsel must promptly email chambers to advise of the settlement and file a Notice of Settlement.
Page 3 | I. Notification of Case Resolution
Contact Judge Cabral’s chambers via phone or email for civil matters (excluding transcript requests).
For questions about civil matters (other than transcript requests), please contact Judge Cabral’s chambers at 619-557-5874 or efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov.
Page 1 | I. General Matters
Contact courtroom deputy Felina Pacho via email or phone for criminal matters and transcript requests.
For questions about any criminal matters and any transcript requests, please contact courtroom deputy Felina Pacho at felina_pacho@casd.uscourts.gov or (619) 557-7099.
Page 1 | I. General Matters
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
Junior lawyers (fewer than 10 years of experience) may argue motions, and parties may request oral argument in such cases.
The Court encourages parties to contribute to the development of the bar by permitting less experienced lawyers to argue matters before the Court. Any party may request oral argument on a matter where a lawyer with fewer than 10 years’ experience will argue on behalf of the party.
Page 3 | K. Lawyer Development
