Criminal Filing Procedures

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This section provides general information about criminal filing procedures in this Court. The information provided is not all-inclusive, and some of the information may not apply to you.  If you have any questions about the law or your case, please speak to an attorney.

All documents presented for filing must comply with the Federal Criminal Code and Rules and the General Orders and Local Rules of this Court.

The following is a list of Local Criminal Rules most frequently consulted:

For information on electronic filing of documents, please refer to Local Rule 5-4 and Local Criminal Rule 49-1.

All documents must be filed electronically unless exempted by Local Rule 5-4.2 or Local Criminal Rule 49-1.2. If a document is filed electronically, the system will generate an NEF (Notice of Electronic Filing), which will be sent to any attorneys of record and pro se parties who are registered CM/ECF Users. Service by this NEF constitutes service pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure for all registered CM/ECF Users. Individuals who are not registered for CM/ECF must be served pursuant to Local Civil Rule 5-3.1.

Documents exempted from electronic filing must be presented to the Clerk for filing in paper format: an original and one copy of the document (prepared on 28-lined paper) must be presented. An additional copy must be submitted for conforming. A Notice of Manual Filing (form G-92) must accompany all manual filings unless the case is under seal. If filing by mail, the original document and two copies (one copy for conforming) must be submitted in addition to a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of the conformed copy.

All documents filed in paper format, including new actions, as well as subsequently filed documents exempted from electronic filing by Local Rule 49-1.2, may be filed in any of the following divisional offices:

  • Western Division
    255 E. Temple St., Rm. 180
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • Southern Division
    411 West Fourth St., Rm. 1053
    Santa Ana, CA 92701-4516
  • Eastern Division
    3470 Twelfth St., Rm. 134
    Riverside, CA 92501

There are no fees in criminal cases until an appeal is filed.