United States District Court, Central District of California

FAQs about Judges' Procedures and Schedules

Last Updated: 07/07/2009

Name:Title:Court RoomLocation:
Hon. Margaret M. MorrowJudge780Los Angeles - Roybal

Courtroom Deputy Clerk:Telephone:
Anel Huerta213-894-7857


The best way to contact the judge's courtroom deputy clerk is by calling (213) 894-7857; if the clerk does not answer the phone, be sure to leave a voice-mail message. Phone messages without case name, number and a brief message will not be returned. Due to the high volume of calls, not all phone calls can be returned. Requests that can be answered by reviewing the Local Rules, G.O. 08-02, or the Court's website will not be returned. Do not leave multiple messages regarding the same issue.

Counsel shall not contact the clerk with procedural questions regarding electronic filing. Counsel shall refer to G.O. 08-02 and/or contact the electronic filing help desk at (213) 894-0242.

Hon. Margaret M. Morrow
Court Clerk: Anel Huerta
Court Reporter: Mark Schweitzer
Courtroom No.: 780, Los Angeles - Roybal
Telephone: 213-894-7857
Telephone: 213-663-3494

  1. Civil motions are heard on: Mondays, Time: 10:00 a.m.

    It is not necessary to clear a motion date with the court clerk prior to filing a motion. Available date for motions can be obtained on the court’s website www.cacd.uscourts.gov. Go to Court Calendars, Motion Calendar then Hon. Margaret M. Morrow for closed dates.

    All documents which are required to be filed in an electronic format pursuant to General Order No. 08-02 shall be filed electronically no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date due unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Any documents filed electronically after 5:00 p.m. on the date due will be considered late and may be stricken by the Court.

    CIVIL MOTIONS IN LIMINE:
    All motions in limine will be heard at the time of the Final Pretrial Conference and must be filed according to the Local Rules and G.O. 08-02.

  2. CRIMINAL MOTIONS: Mondays, Time: 1:15 p.m.

    CRIMINAL E-FILING:
    All documents which are required to be filed in an electronic format pursuant to General Order No. 08-02 shall be filed electronically no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date due unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Any documents filed electronically after 4:00 p.m. on the date due will be considered late and may be stricken by the Court. Any documents which counsel attempt to file electronically which are improperly filed will not be accepted by the Court.


  3. Mandatory Chambers Copies

    SEE G.O. 08-02: VI. Electronic Filing C. Courtesy Paper Copies


  4. Discovery motions:
    Are to be calendared before the magistrate judge.

  5. Are tentative rulings issued?
    In most cases, tentative rulings are available from the court clerk in the courtroom from 8:45 am - 9:45 am on the day the motion is scheduled to be heard. Tentative orders are NOT faxed to counsel nor are they available for pickup prior to the date motion is set for (see above).

  6. PROCEDURES FOR FILING AN EX PARTE APPLICATION:

    Refer to L.R. 7-19 and G.O. 08-02. A hearing is not required unless notified by the court. As a general policy, all oppositions are due within 24-hours from service of the ex parte. Also, opposing counsel shall contact the clerk within 24-hours as to their position. Counsel shall be notified by order of the Court’s ruling. DO NOT CONTACT THE CLERK INQUIRING THE STATUS OF THE EX PARTE APPLICATION.

  7. STIPULATIONS AND PROPOSED ORDERS

    SEE G.O. 08-02: VIII. Orders. A. Proposed Orders, Judgments or Other Proposed Documents Which Require a Judge’s Signature.

  8. To Request a Continuance of Any Scheduled Court Proceeding:
    A proposed stipulation and order must be submitted at least one week in advance. Counsel must comply with L.R. 11-4.5 for conformed copies.

  9. Are Counsel Allowed to Contact the Judge's Law Clerk or Secretary?
    NO.

  10. Inquiries Regarding the Status of a Motion, Stipulation or Proposed Order:
    Information regarding the status of motions, ex parte applications, stipulations or proposed orders are not available. Counsel shall follow L.R. 11-4.5. DO NOT CONTACT THE CLERK. It’s the court’s policy not to return such calls.

  11. Calendar Conflicts: (Procedures for attorneys to follow if they have a calendar conflict)
    Counsel shall contact the court clerk at least 3 calendar days prior to a hearing date if counsel has an appearance with another district judge. Counsel shall indicate the time of the appearance and the name of the judge.

  12. Procedures for Bringing Electronic Equipment into the Courtroom:
    Counsel shall contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk by telephone to request leave to bring electronic equipment into the courtroom. Counsel will be advised by the Courtroom Deputy Clerk that such a request shall be made by a letter addressed to the U.S. Marshal’s Office, with a copy to the Court Coordinator and prepared for the Courtroom Deputy Clerk’s signature, along with the case name and case number. Counsel may fax the letter to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk for signature at (213) 894-1815. Upon arrival to the courthouse, counsel shall present the letter to Court Security for approval.

  13. To order an audio tape or transcript:
    To obtain a transcript of any reported or digitally recorded proceeding, please contact the assigned court reporter/recorder. To determine the court reporter/recorder for a particular proceeding, go to the Court Reporter Schedule web page and click on View by Date. Once you've determined the correct court reporter/recorder for the desired session, click on Court Reporter Phone and Email List for contact information.

  14. Trial preparation:


    1. Court hours:
      8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    2. Exhibit preparation:
      L.R. 16-5.1.
    3. Jury instructions (form, when they're to be submitted, whether counsel need to submit general or substantiative instructions or both)
      The Court will instruct counsel at the time of the Pretrial Conference.
    4. Verdict forms:
      Criminal: Court clerk
      Special verdict form: Government
      Civil: Counsel
      Special verdict form: Counsel
    5. Other:
      Three copies of witness list and exhibit list shall be provided to the court clerk the morning of trial.

  15. Procedures for obtaining the services of an interpreter on a civil case
    It is the responsibility of counsel in a civil case to arrange for the services of an Interpreter. Interpreter’s Office: (213) 894-4599

  16. Other information:
    Counsel are directed to comply with all Local rules. If counsel have received a “Notice to Parties of ADR Pilot Program” (from 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.

    COURT'S WEBSITE: www.cacd.uscourts.gov

    JUDGE'S GENERIC E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR ELECTRONIC FILING ONLY: MMM_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov