SCHEDULING NOTES FOR JUDGE BETH LABSON FREEMAN
Courtroom 3, 5th Floor, San Jose
(Rev. May 21, 2020)

 

COVID19 SPECIAL PROCEDURES

*** CRIMINAL MATTERS***

The Court will resume limited criminal proceedings in the San Jose Courthouse commencing June 1, 2020.  Currently scheduled pleas and sentencings for out of custody defendants will proceed on the dates set. The specific time of each hearing may be adjusted to control the number of people in the courtroom.  Pleas and sentencings for in custody defendants will also proceed as scheduled, limited by the transportation requirements of the U.S. Marshal.  No more than 10 people may be in the Courtroom at any time and face coverings will be required.  Status hearings will proceed as scheduled and will be conducted by teleconference only.  For status conferences, counsel shall advise the Court whether the defendant waives appearance or will requests appearance by telephone.  Members of the public and press will participate by teleconference only.  In Court evidentiary hearings requiring witnesses may be scheduled as needed.  Please review the Court’s calendar to confirm the time of your hearing.  You should plan to arrive at the security entrance no more than 15 minutes before your hearing time and you will be allowed to enter the courtroom only after the previous case has concluded.

 

***CIVIL MATTERS***

Judge Freeman’s preference for oral argument for most cases will continue and all cases set for hearing will be held on Zoom or teleconference unless a particular case is submitted without argument. Cancelation of hearing dates will be placed on the docket.

 

Parties shall submit Chambers copies for all motions.

 

Although civil jury trials have been temporarily suspended, all Final Pre-Trial Conferences will proceed as scheduled so that cases will be ready for trial as soon as civil jury trials resume.

All Civil Matters scheduled through September 30, 2020 will be heard by Zoom Webinar or Telephone Conference only.  No personal appearances will be allowed.  Civil trials scheduled prior to October 1, 2020 are vacated and will be rescheduled.

***We all recognize that circumstances are changing rapidly, and counsel and parties are requested to monitor the Court’s website for changes in the protocol for court appearances. ”***

 ***SCHEDULING NOTES***
Criminal Matters:  Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.

Criminal Pretrial Conferences: As set by Court

Civil Motions:  Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. by reservation only.  To reserve a hearing date, please contact Judge Freeman's Courtroom Deputy, Tiffany Salinas-Harwell, at blfcrd@cand.uscourts.gov

Upon reserving a hearing date, parties have fourteen (14) days to file papers.  On day fifteen (15) if papers are not filed, the reservation will expire and parties must obtain a new hearing date before filing. 

Civil Case Management Conferences:  Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.

Final Pretrial Conferences:  Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

Trials:  Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
             Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Telephonic Appearances:  Telephonic appearances are permitted on a case by case basis.  A party seeking to appear telephonically shall file an administrative motion pursuant to Civil Local Rule 7-11.  If the administrative motion is granted, the party shall contact Court Call Phone Conferencing at (866)582-6878 in advance of the hearing date to schedule the telephonic appearance. 

Further Information:  All requests for further information should be directed to Judge Freeman's Courtroom Deputy, Tiffany Salinas-Harwell, at blfcrd@cand.uscourts.gov.

Chamber Copies:  Chamber copies must be delivered to clerk’s office by 12:00 p.m. (noon) the next court day after filing.  Chamber copies must have two holes punched at the top and be stapled or ACCO-fastened.  

Certificate of Unavailability (Civ. L.R. 1-5(p))
Judge Freeman is unavailable on the following dates:

2020

N/A