United States District Court, Central District of California
FAQs about Judges' Procedures and Schedules

Last Updated: 08/04/2009

Name:Title:Court RoomLocation:
Hon. Rita Coyne FedermanMagistrate JudgeN/ASanta Barbara
Courtroom Deputy Clerk:Telephone:
Debbie Fischer213-894-3787


JUDGE Rita Coyne Federman
Court Clerk: Debbie Fischer		Courtroom No.: N/A
Telephone: 213-894-3787

Motion Procedures for Misdemeanor and Petty Offenses:
  1. Motions are heard at 1:30 p.m. A calendar of hearing dates may be obtained from the courtroom deputy. It is not necessary to clear a motion date with the courtroom deputy prior to filing the motion.
  2. Motions in criminal matters that have been electronically filed also shall be electronically filed. In criminal matters that have not been electronically filed, motions shall be filed in open court or with the Clerk of Court at the Roybal Federal Building. In the alternative, papers may be filed by mail, addressed to the Court as follows:
    CRD to Judge Federman
    312 N. Spring Street, Room G-19
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
    with a mandatory chambers copy to be emailed to chambers.
  3. The caption of the motion shall include the date, time, and location of the hearing under the case number, and the initials “RCF” after the case number.
  4. Pre-trial motions shall be filed and served fourteen (14) calendar days before the hearing date.
  5. Opposition shall be filed and served seven (7) calendar days before the hearing date. In all criminal matters, a mandatory chambers copy of the opposition shall be emailed to chambers on the day of filing.
  6. Replies shall be filed and served three (3) calendar days before the hearing date. In all criminal matters, a mandatory chambers copy of the reply shall be emailed to chambers on the day of filing.
  7. All papers filed with the Court shall comply with the Local Rules of Practice of the Central District of California, including Local Rules 7 and 11, and Local Criminal Rule 12.
Ex Parte Applications in Misdemeanor and Petty Offense Cases:
  1. Ex-parte applications in criminal matters that have been electronically filed also shall be electronically filed. In criminal matters that have not been electronically filed, motions shall be filed in open court or with the Clerk of Court at the Roybal Federal Building. In the alternative, papers may be filed by mail, addressed to the Court as follows:
    CRD to Judge Federman
    312 N. Spring Street, Room G-19
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
    with a mandatory chambers copy emailed to chambers.
  2. Ex parte applications shall comply with Local Rule 7-19. The moving party shall inform the opposing party that any opposition is due the next business day by 4:00 p.m.
  3. Opposition papers are to be filed, on the first business day following service of the application. In all criminal matters, a mandatory chambers copy of the opposition shall be emailed to chambers. If counsel does not intend to oppose the ex parte application, counsel must inform the courtroom deputy by telephone.
  4. Ex parte applications normally are considered on the papers. If the Court determines a hearing is necessary, the courtroom deputy will notify the parties of the hearing date and time.
  5. Counsel and parties should note that ex parte applications are for extraordinary relief. See Mission Power Engineering Co. V. Continental Casualty Co., 883 F. Supp. 488 (C.D. Cal. 1995).
Interpreters:
  1. For initial proceedings in misdemeanor and petty offense cases, interpreting services will be provided for Spanish speaking defendants. Parties requiring interpreting services for other languages should notify the courtroom deputy at least 48 hours before the hearing date.
General:
  1. Judge Federman conducts hearings in Courtroom 202 of the United States Bankruptcy Court, 1415 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
  2. No papers should be filed or sent to the courthouse when Judge Federman is not in session.
  3. When court is not in session, papers may be filed with the Clerk of Court at the Roybal Federal Building. In the alternative, papers may be filed by mail, addressed to the Court as follows:
    CRD to Judge Federman
    312 N. Spring Street, Room G-19
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
  4. Hearings are scheduled for select days of the month. A calendar may be obtained by contacting the courtroom deputy.
  5. Judge Federman’s courtroom deputy may be contacted at 213-894-3787.
  6. As soon as an attorney or party is aware of a calendar conflict, or that a request for a continuance will be made, the attorney or party should advise the courtroom deputy.
  7. Additional information concerning misdemeanor and petty offense cases may be available by contacting the Central Violations Bureau (CVB) as follows: www.cvb.uscourts.gov or (800) 827-2982.