Judge Letty Lopez

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

Motions should be in writing and, if filed, must be accompanied by an Order Setting Hearing and a Certificate of Conference.

Applies to

Order setting hearing

An Order Setting Hearing must include the names and mailing addresses of all counsel of record.

Applies to

Discovery motion

Must include

certificate of conference

Discovery motions and discovery-hearing requests must include a certificate stating that reasonable efforts to resolve the dispute failed despite good-faith negotiations before filing.

The signed Joint Pretrial Order must be filed with the clerk 14 days before the scheduled final pretrial conference.

The Department’s birth-verification filing is due on or before the status hearing.

The amended petition must be filed within 30 days after the verification of birth or birth certificate is filed.

Applies to

Motion

Service

Mail

When a withdrawal motion is mailed to the client, the notice letter must state the presentation date, advise the client to object in writing, and be attached to the motion.

Applies to

Arraignment notice

Service

Mail

The District Clerk must notify each defendant of the arraignment by certified mail with return receipt requested as soon as practicable after the case is set for hearing.

Applies to

Arraignment notice

The District Clerk must also notify the defendant’s attorney of the arraignment by facsimile transmission or regular mail.

All motions to continue a trial setting, including joint motions, must be decided by the court, and joint continuance motions are not automatically granted.

If a new trial date changes deadlines in the prior scheduling order, the court must enter a new scheduling order.

After the court grants a continuance, an immediate docket control conference must occur, and the order must reset the case for trial.