Section B Jury Trials
Scheduling a Jury Trial
To set a jury trial in Section B, all counsel enrolled in the case shall endeavor to agree upon a trial date utilizing the court’s online scheduler.
When viewing the calendar, note that available dates are in bold. Jury trials are set on Mondays and span the entire week. Up to 12 jury trials may be set on any given trial week. If, for instance, the calendar says there are “five spots left,” that indicates that seven trials have been set on that date so far.
If counsel is able to agree to a trial date, one attorney or staff member shall reserve the date by selecting it, filling in the form that follows, and clicking “Complete Appointment.” Once the court has reviewed and approved the scheduling, it will issue a scheduling order. If counsel cannot agree to a date, they shall promptly notify the court in writing as to the nature of the disagreement and a scheduling conference will be arranged.
Priority Case Status
Other than when required by law, the court does not generally assign priority status to trials. The court will, of course, consider any motions for preferential setting and rule accordingly. When more than one trial is set and ready to proceed, the court will give weight to the ages of the cases, number of previous trial settings, when the instant settings were scheduled, the potential future availability of witnesses, the basis of the pleadings, and any argument of counsel. Counsel may see all cases currently set for each jury trial setting below. The order of the cases listed does not indicate their priority.
2025 Calendar
We do not have an exact release date for the 2025 calendar but the First JDC typically releases the following year’s calendar during the summer of the current year. Availabilities will be added to the court’s calendar as soon as we receive the 2025 calendar.
Scheduling Orders and Modifications Thereto
A sample of the court’s form scheduling order can be found here. Please note that counsel has approximately two weeks to move to amend the scheduling order once it has issued. After that, counsel may agree to extend the dates contained therein under the following circumstances:
a. The deadline in question has not yet passed; and b. Counsel agrees that the extension will not impact any other dates contained herein OR counsel agrees to extend the impacted date as well; and c. Counsel agrees that the trial date will not be impacted OR agrees to promptly file for a continuance of trial; and d. Counsel notifies the court in writing of the agreed modification and compliance with these requirements. A sample notification form can be found here.
Section B Rules for Trial Appearances
Prior to trial, counsel shall test all electronic equipment to be used in the courtroom. Counsel may request the courtroom be opened early in order to facilitate this. The court will not permit recesses or delays due to counsels’ lack of preparedness.
All persons present with counsel shall be identified to the court. This includes litigants and counsel staff. Any person other than litigants and their attorney(s) of record must have prior express permission from this court to sit at counsel table. Any staff present to assist counsel shall be held to the same high standard of courtroom decorum and dress as counsel.
Counsel, their staff, litigants, and witnesses shall be in professional attire. No tank tops, ball caps, or other overly casual clothing will be permitted. Clothing shall not be extreme or distracting. Counsel may have appropriate beverages at counsel table. No food or gum is permitted. Counsel shall advise all parties and witnesses of these rules.
Counsel shall have their witnesses available in order to adduce expedient testimony. Except for good cause shown, the court will not permit trial recesses due to the unavailability of witnesses.
Unless discussed with the court prior to the commencement of trial, parties should be prepared to provide exhibits to the clerk at the time they offer the exhibit into evidence. Exhibits shall be clearly marked.
Counsel shall not approach the witness stand or the bench without express leave of court. Counsel shall not request to approach a witness with any exhibit prior to showing the exhibit to opposing counsel, indicating counsel has done so on the record, and affording opposing counsel time to voice an objection. Counsel shall not conduct examination at the witness stand for any more time than is absolutely necessary. Counsel shall review and comply with District Court Rule 6.2, particularly paragraphs (d)-(i).
No party other than the court or authorized court staff may record the proceedings.