Honorable Serena R. Murillo
Printer-friendly versionRonald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 411 W. Fourth St., Santa Ana, CA 92701, Courtroom 9B.
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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.
CRIMINAL
Criminal matters are heard on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.
Counsel must contact the Courtroom Deputy to obtain an available hearing date and time before filing a motion.
CIVIL
CIVIL matters are heard on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.
Scheduling Motions: It is NOT necessary to clear a hearing date with the Courtroom Deputy (“CRD”) before filing a motion. Before filing motions, the parties must check the section of this webpage regarding Closed Motion Dates to make sure the hearing date has not been closed. If a motion is calendared for a date that is closed or becomes unavailable on the Court's calendar, the Court will issue a minute order continuing the motion to a date that is available. If the Thursday in a given week is a holiday, the Court will NOT have a Thursday calendar. The next available hearing date will be the following Thursday.
Motions for Summary Judgment (Rule 56 Motions): Before filing summary judgment/Rule 56 motions, parties must review and comply with the Court's applicable standing orders, which sets forth the briefing schedule and specific requirements for joint briefing and filing such motions.
All Other Motions: Must be noticed, served, and filed not later than twenty-eight (28) days before the hearing date. See Local Rule 6-1. Opposition papers must be filed and served not later than twenty-one (21) days before the hearing date. Reply papers must be filed and served not later than fourteen (14) days before the hearing date. See Local Rule 7-9, 7-10.
Settlement: Counsel must notify the Court at least two (2) weeks before the scheduled hearing if the parties are conducting settlement discussions that may render the motion moot and must notify the Court immediately if a settlement is reached. A belated settlement notice wastes scarce judicial resources and may subject the offending parties to sanctions.
- Electronic Filing: Counsel shall e-file all original civil and criminal filings pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(d)(3), Local Rule 5-4, and this Court’s relevant Standing Orders.
- Under Seal Filings: In civil cases, counsel are ordered to follow the procedures outlined in Local Rule 79-5.2.2 (The Guide to Electronically Filing Under Seal Documents in Civil Cases). In criminal matters, counsel shall refer to the Under Seal Instructions for Criminal Cases below.
- Ex Parte Applications: A party seeking ex parte relief, including a temporary restraining order, must comply with Local Rule 7-19. The applicant must notify the other party (or parties) that opposing papers are to be filed no later than forty-eight (48) hours following service or by 3:00 p.m. on the first court day after service, whichever is later. The opposing party should advise the CRD (via email) as soon as possible whether it intends to oppose the ex parte application. Reply briefs in support of ex parte applications are not permitted. The Court generally considers ex parte applications on the papers. The parties should not assume that an unopposed ex parte application will be granted; and a last-minute application (or stipulation) that is denied will not serve to relieve a party of an underlying obligation (e.g. a soon-to-expire deadline). Sanctions may be imposed for misuse of ex parte applications.
- Requests for Continuances: Continuances are granted only on a showing of good cause. Requests for continuances must be by motions or stipulation and must be accompanied by a declaration setting forth the reasons for the requested continuance and a proposed order. The declaration also should include whether there have been any previous requests for continuances and whether these requests were granted or denied by the Court. Stipulations extending dates set by this Court are not effective unless approved by the Court. Continuances will not be granted routinely.
- Discovery Matters: All discovery matters are referred to the assigned magistrate judge. All discovery documents must include the words "DISCOVERY MATTER" in the caption to ensure proper routing. Documents may not be filed under seal in matters pending before the district judge based on a protective order signed by the magistrate judge. A separate and additional showing of good cause as to each category of document or information is required. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c); Phillips ex rel. Estates of Byrd v. General Motors Corp., 307 F.3d 1206, 1212 (9th Cir. 2002). The parties must also comply with Local Rule 79-5 (Confidential Court Records).
- Contacting Chambers: Counsel shall not contact the Court or its Chambers staff by telephone or by any other ex parte means (unless contact has been first initiated by Chambers staff). Counsel may contact the CRD with appropriate inquiries. The preferred method of communication with the CRD is by email at SRM_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Counsel must copy all parties on any such email. To facilitate communication with the CRD, counsel should list their email addresses along with their telephone numbers on all filings. Inquiries regarding the status of submitted motions, stipulations, or proposed orders will not be responded to unless the matter has been pending for more than 90 days.
- People Without Lawyers: People who are not represented by attorneys may submit documents for filing through the Court’s Electronic Document Submission System ("EDSS") instead of mailing or bringing documents to the Clerk’s Office. EDSS is not the same as filing documents electronically in the Court's CM/ECF System. Registration is not required to use EDSS and you do not need a PACER account; only internet access and an e-mail address are required. Attorneys may not use EDSS to submit documents on behalf of their clients. To access EDSS and for additional information, visit the Court's website here. In addition, please note that Public Counsel, a non-profit organization, runs a free Federal Pro Se Clinic where people without lawyers can get information and guidance. The Clinic is located at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 411 W. 4th Street, Room 1055, Santa Ana, CA 92701, and making an appointment is highly recommended. You may schedule an appointment either by calling the Clinic at (714) 541-1010, ext. 222, or by submitting an on-line request for services.
- Interpreters, Transcripts, Technology: For information about transcript, interpreter services, or use of court technology, please see the Central District Court website. In a civil case, it is counsel's responsibility to arrange for the services of an interpreter. Counsel should contact the CRD in advance to request leave to bring electronic equipment into the courtroom and to receive instructions on how to obtain proper permission from the U.S. Marshals Service to do so. Information regarding use of the Court's own courtroom technology is available on the Court's website.
- Media Requests: Neither Judge Murillo nor her CRD will respond to requests from the media. Media should refer to the Central District website for information and instructions on how to communicate with the Court.