Honorable Louise A. LaMothe

IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, NO HEARINGS WILL PROCEED IN PERSON UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE OR OTHERWISE ORDERED.  THE REQUIREMENT FOR CHAMBERS COPIES OF FILINGS IS SUSPENDED UNLESS OTHERWISE ORDERED. 

Ex Parte Applications in Misdemeanor and Petty Offense Cases:

1. Ex-parte applications in electronically filed criminal matters 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:
   Courtroom Deputy Clerk to Judge LaMothe
   255 East Temple Street, Suite 1200
   Los Angeles, CA 90012
   
2. A mandatory chambers copy is to be emailed to chambers.
3. 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.
4. Ex parte applications to appear via videoconference must be received ten (10) calendar days prior to the scheduled hearing date and must be in compliance with Fed. R. Crim. P. Rule 43.  SEE ATTACHED.  The requesting party is instructed to confirm a videoconferencing location for defendant and to provide the Courtroom Deputy Clerk with the contact information at said location at the time of the ex parte filing.
5. 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 Clerk by telephone.
6. Ex parte applications normally are considered on the papers. If the Court determines a hearing is necessary, the Courtroom Deputy Clerk will notify the parties of the hearing date and time.
7. 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 Clerk at least 72 hours before the hearing date.

Settlement Conferences:

1. Settlement conferences are scheduled by contacting the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Debbie Johnston.  Email: Debbie_Johnston@cacd.uscourts.gov / Desk: (213) 894-3787.
2. The settlement conferences are normally scheduled for three hours: a settlement conference may continue longer, if productive and the parties so desire. You should anticipate that the Judge will not only facilitate discussions, but will also play "devil's advocate" with all sides to help the parties gain the most balanced evaluation of the matter. All discussions during a settlement conference are confidential pursuant to, among other things, Fed. R. Evid. 408 and the Court's Order.
3. The proposed date(s) for a settlement conference should be cleared at least thirty (30) calendar days in advance.
4. All settlement conference papers shall be submitted at least seven (7) calendar days before the conference. All settlement conference papers shall be emailed to LAL_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov

Document Duty - Warrants / Complaints / Returns:

1. Contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Debbie Johnston, to schedule a date and time to meet with Judge LaMothe.  Email: Debbie_Johnston@cacd.uscourts.gov / Desk (213) 894-3787 / After-hours (for agents and AUSA only) (805) 433-5434
2. CRIMINAL E-FILING PILOT PROJECT REQUIREMENT - IN ADDITION TO GENERAL ORDER 17-02 AND THE LOCAL RULES OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, THE PROCEDURES IN THE ASSOCIATED ATTACHMENT MUST BE FOLLOWED. 
3. SEE ATTACHED PROCEDURES FOR SANTA BARBARA DOCUMENT DUTY FOR COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS. 

General:

1. Judge LaMothe conducts hearings in Courtroom 202 of the United States Bankruptcy Court, 1415 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
2. NO PAPERS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COURTHOUSE WHEN JUDGE LAMOTHE IS NOT IN SESSION.  FILINGS FOR JUDGE LAMOTHE ARE NEVER ACCEPTED AT THIS COURTHOUSE.
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:
   Courtroom Deputy Clerk to Judge LaMothe
   255 East Temple Street, Suite 1200
   Los Angeles, CA 90012
   
4. Hearings are scheduled for select days of the month. A calendar may be obtained by contacting the Curtroom Dputy Clerk
5. Judge LaMothe’s Courtroom Deputy Clerk 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 Clerk.
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.
8. Stipulated protective orders: The Judge directs the parties to the standard form protective order as developed by the Los Angeles County Bar Association. A copy of that standard form order is attached below. The Judge notes that any proposed protective order should be consistent with this Court's Local Rules, including Local Rule 79-5 (submitting documents under seal) and Local Rule 37 (resolution of discovery disagreements). The Judge also notes that any proposed protective order should generally govern discovery pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c), but that any use of purportedly protected material during a court hearing or at trial should be addressed with the presiding bench officer.
9. Continuances of any scheduled court proceeding will be granted only on a showing of good cause. To request a continuance, the parties should submit a signed stipulation and proposed order. If opposing counsel will not agree to a continuance, the request should be made by ex parte application.
10. Inquiries concerning the status of a motion, stipulation or proposed order should be made to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk. Counsel are not allowed to communicate with the Court.
11. Calendar conflicts: Immediately advise the Courtroom Deputy Clerk telephonically and attempt to secure in good faith opposing counsel’s agreement to stipulate to a new date.
12. Electronic equipment: The Local Rules prohibit the recording of federal proceedings, either by electronic recording means or by camera. Counsel are to request, through the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, permission to bring in or use audio, video, or electronic equipment for presentations in sufficient advance of the date of the court proceeding.
13. For general information on how to order a transcript of any reported or digitally recorded proceeding, please contact (213) 894-3015 or visit the court website (www.cacd.uscourts.gov) section referring to Court Reporter/Recorder Transcripts. If you require an estimate of cost for the preparation of a transcript, contact the court reporter/recorder for the desired proceeding. 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. Regarding Law Clerk and Externs: Judge LaMothe's position does allow for Law Clerks or Externs.
15. It is the responsibility of the parties to obtain the services of an interpreter on a civil case should one be needed.