United States District Court, Central District of California

FAQs about Judges' Procedures and Schedules

Last Updated: 10/26/2009

Name:Title:Court RoomLocation:
Hon. S. James OteroJudge1- 2nd FloorLos Angeles - Spring Street

Courtroom Deputy Clerk:Telephone:
Victor Cruz213-894-1796



The best way to contact the judge's courtroom deputy clerk is via email: Victor_Cruz@cacd.uscourts.gov

Judge Hon. S. James Otero
Court Clerk: Victor Cruz
Court Recorder: Margarita Lopez
Courtroom No.: 1 - 2nd Floor
Telephone: 213-894-1796
Telephone: 213-894-2717

  1. Civil and criminal motions are heard on Monday at 10:00 a.m. If Monday is a holiday, the next motion date is Tuesday following the Monday holiday. It is not necessary to clear a motion date.

  2. Discovery motions are to be calendared before the Magistrate Judge.

  3. Civil and criminal trials are held Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Motions in Limine are heard the first day of trial at 8:30 a.m. See the attached Initial Standing Order for further procedures.

  4. Tentative rulings are not issued.

  5. Ex Parte Applications are not noticed for any date or time certain. If a hearing is necessary, the courtroom deputy clerk will contact counsel.

  6. One courtesy copy, blue-backed and two-hole punched, is required for each e-filing, with the date and time of the e-filing indicated on the face page. The courtesy copy box is located at the door of courtroom 1, second floor.

  7. Request for Continuance of a scheduled court proceeding is not automatically granted. Refer to Local Rule 52.9 for proper format.

  8. Counsel are not to initiate telephone calls to chambers unless first contacted by a law clerk or Judge Otero's assistant.

  9. Inquiries regarding the status of a motion, stipulation, or proposed order are not handled telephonically. Counsel may sign-up for Pacer access to monitor the clerk's database. See www.cacd.uscourts.gov > General Information > Pacer Access.

  10. To order a transcript of a proceeding, call the Court Reporter's Office at (213) 894-3015.

  11. Law Clerk and Extern Applicants may submit applications to District Judge S. James Otero, United States District Court, Suite 244P, 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90012. Include a cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample. Letters of recommendation are to be directed to this address.

  12. Interpreter: Obtaining the services of a certified interpreter on a civil case is the responsibility of counsel. For information, dial (213) 894-4599 or check the court's website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov > General Information > Interpreters.

  13. Please see the attached Civil and Criminal Initial Standing Orders for detailed procedures regarding cases assigned to Judge Otero.

  14. Counsel are directed to comply with all Local Rules. If counsel have received a "Notice to Parties of ADR Pilot Program" (form ADR-08, ADR-10, or ADR-11 with attached "ADR Pilot Program Questionnaire" form ADR-09), please see the section on the Court's website entitled "ADR," General Order 02-07, for further information. The ADR section also contains Attorney Settlement Officer information.


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