Honorable Sunshine S. Sykes

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District Judge

United States District Court, 3470 Twelfth Street, Riverside, California 92501-3801,
Courtroom 2, 2nd Floor

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Recording, copying, photographing and rebroadcasting of court proceedings is prohibited by federal law. A violation of this prohibition may result in sanctions, including suspension of your license to practice before this court, referral to the state bar, denial of the right to appear by video or telephonically at future proceedings, criminal prosecution, contempt, denial of admission to future hearings, and any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court.

Please join the Zoom Court Session 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

When you sign in and add your screen name, you must use your full name
followed by "(P)" (for plaintiff(s)) or "(D)" (for defendant(s))
(ignore cross/counterclaims) – or by "O" (observer) if you are
participating as a member of the public or the media.​​

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Law and Motion Schedule: 

CIVIL MATTERS: By default, all hearings shall proceed remotely by video appearance on Zoom, unless a request is made by the parties to appear in-person and granted by the Court. Requests for an in-person appearance must be e-filed one (1) week before the hearing and must indicate that counsel has met and conferred with opposing counsel consistent with Local Rule 7-3.

CRIMINAL MATTERS: By default, all hearings shall proceed in-person, unless a request is made by the parties to appear via video appearance and granted by the Court. The link below may be used only if ordered by the Court. Requests for a remote Zoom appearance must be e-filed one (1) week before the hearing and must indicate that counsel has met and conferred with opposing counsel consistent with Local Rule 7-3.

Criminal matters are heard on Fridays beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Pretrial Conferences, Scheduling Conferences, and Status Conferences are heard on Fridays beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Civil motions are heard on Fridays beginning at 2:00 p.m.

If Friday is a national holiday, motions will be heard on the following Friday.

It is NOT necessary to clear a motion date with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk (CRD) prior to filing the motion, except for motions for summary judgment, preliminary injunction, and class certification. For these three motions, contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk via the Court’s chambers email address at SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov to reserve a hearing date.

Closed motion dates can be found on Judge Sykes’ Procedures and Schedules page.

Trials will be held Mondays to Thursdays beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at approximately 4:30 p.m., with two 10-minute breaks and an hour and a half lunch break. Parties are expected to be present at 8:30 a.m. and be available until at least 5:00 p.m.

Rule 56 Briefing Schedule:
Motion for Summary Judgment (MSJ) must be filed at least 7 weeks before the noticed hearing date.

Opposition to MSJ must be filed at least 5 weeks before the noticed hearing date.

Reply must be filed at least 4 weeks before the noticed hearing date.

The above briefing schedule is the default. The parties may stipulate to a modified schedule that is reasonable for all parties. Any briefing schedule must provide the Court at least four (4) weeks between the reply deadline and the hearing date.

Counsel are further advised to refer to section VIII.E of Judge Sykes’ Civil Standing Order, linked below.

Class Action Scheduling:
Motion for Class Certification must be filed at least 7 weeks before the noticed hearing date.

Opposition to class certification must be filed at least 5 weeks before the noticed hearing date.

Reply must be filed at least 4 weeks before the noticed hearing date.

The above briefing schedule is the default. The parties may stipulate to a modified schedule that is reasonable for all parties. Any briefing schedule must provide the Court at least four (4) weeks between the reply deadline and the hearing date.

Counsel are further advised to refer to section VIII.D of Judge Sykes’ Civil Standing Order, linked below.
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Judge's Procedures: 

Counsel must review and comply with the Court’s relevant Civil or Criminal Standing Order as well as the other applicable standard case orders and required templates which provide additional information and requirements. Judge Sykes’ Civil and Criminal Standing Orders can be found in the section labeled “Orders & Additional Documents.”

Discovery Motions: Discovery motions shall be calendared before the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case.

Tentative Rulings: The Court does not typically issue tentative rulings.

Mandatory Chambers Copies: All original filings are to be filed electronically pursuant to Local Rule 5-4. The Court requires one (1) Mandatory Chambers Copy of ONLY the following documents:

  • Civil Matters: All motions and related documents (opposition, replies, exhibits); ex parte applications and related documents oppositions and exhibits; Joint Rule 26(f) reports; and trial documents.
  • Criminal Matters: All motions and related documents and exhibits; plea agreement(s); and sentencing memorandum and objections to the pre-sentence reports.

Ex Parte Applications: Counsel’s attention is directed to Local Rule 7-19. The Court considers ex parte applications on the papers. Accordingly, counsel need not set ex parte applications for a hearing date. If counsel does not intend to oppose the ex parte application, they must inform the CRD by telephone at (951) 328-4462. Any opposition to an ex parte application should be filed within 24 hours of receipt of the ex parte application.

Continuances: Continuances of hearings, and other requests for alternate scheduling, must be approved by the Court, and they will be granted only upon a showing of good cause. Counsel must make such requests in pleading form by filing a stipulation and lodging a Proposed Order at least one week in advance of the scheduled hearing. The Court directs Counsel’s attention to L.R. 7-1 and L.R. 7-11 for the proper format. Proposed orders shall also be emailed in Word format to SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov on the day it is filed.

Communications with the Court: Counsel must not attempt to contact the Court or chambers staff by email, telephone, or by any other ex parte means. Counsel may, for appropriate matters only, contact the CRD via the Court’s chambers email at SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Counsel must not contact the CRD regarding the status of any matter before the Court. Calls or emails regarding the status of submitted motions, stipulations, or proposed orders will not be returned. Counsel may determine the status of any submitted motion, stipulation, or proposed order by accessing the docket sheet through PACER, which can be accessed via the Central District of California website. Counsel must include on all papers their email address, telephone number, and fax number to facilitate communication with the Courtroom Deputy.

Calendar Conflicts: If a calendar conflict arises, counsel must notify the CRD prior to the date of the conflict.

Outside Equipment: Counsel shall request permission through the CRD before bringing or using any audio, video, or electronic equipment in the courtroom.

Transcripts: For general information on ordering a transcript of any reported or digitally recorded proceeding, please call (213) 894-3015 or visit the Court’s website (www.cacd.uscourts.gov) and refer to the section on Court Reporter/Recorder Transcripts. To obtain an estimate of the cost for the preparation of a transcript, please contact the court reporter/recorder for the proceeding.

Interpreters: Counsel in civil cases must obtain the services of an interpreter, if one is needed. The Interpreter’s Office may be reached at (213) 894-4599.

Telephonic Appearances: The Court does not conduct telephonic hearings.

Media: All requests from the media should be directed to the district court’s Communication Specialist at (213) 894-7987. The CRD will not respond to media inquiries. The media are directed to review the court’s electronic record at www.cacd.uscourts.gov, the Newsworthy page on the Central District of California court website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov/newsworthy, as well as the docket on PACER for current case information.

Externs and Law Clerks: Questions regarding law clerk/extern positions should be directed to chambers at SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov
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