SCHEDULING NOTES FOR JUDGE BETH LABSON FREEMAN
Courtroom 1, 5th Floor, San Jose
(Rev. January 2026)

PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT CHAMBERS COPIES OF ALL PAPERS WHEN FILED. _Chambers copies shall be delivered to the Court within one business day of filing for the following documents: pleadings; briefing related to substantive motions; and evidence related to substantive motions. No chambers copies of administrative motions or other non-substantive motions (including sealing motions) shall be delivered to the Court. 

Courtroom attire is expected for all attorneys appearing at hearings that are conducted by Zoom Webinar.

CRIMINAL MATTERS

All Criminal Matters will be handled in person, in the courtroom. 

Members of the public, family, and friends are welcome to attend court hearings conducted in the courtroom.

CIVIL MATTERS

_Judge Freeman will conduct all civil law and motion hearings in person, in the courtroom, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Civil case management conferences _will be held by Zoom Webinar until further notice.

Final pretrial conferences, jury instruction conferences, and all evidentiary hearings will be conducted in person, in the courtroom.

Jury selection and trial will be conducted in person, in the courtroom. Witnesses are expected to appear in person for testimony unless otherwise approved by the Court.

The Court is NOT able to accommodate some attorneys appearing in person and others by Zoom. 

 ***SCHEDULING***

Criminal Matters:  Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.

Parties seeking a hearing date or a continuance via stipulation or proposal must clear any new dates with the Court's calendar. To do so, all parties shall email BLFCRD@cand.uscourts.gov, prior to the submission of their filing.   All emails must include representatives from ALL parties.

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, Esmeralda Mejia 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:  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  (Unless otherwise Ordered by the Court)
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Unless otherwise Ordered by the Court)

Telephonic Appearances:  (NOT PERMITTED AT THIS TIME)

Further Information:  Please review Judge Freeman's Standing Orders and the Court's Local Rules for further information. Any requests unanswered by Scheduling Notes, Standing Orders, and Local Rules should be directed to Judge Freeman's Courtroom Deputy, Esmeralda Mejia, 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:

2026

April 16-17

May 13-15

June 8-11

August 3-7

Sept 1-11

September 21 - 25

November 9-12

November 25

December 7-10

December 23-31