Benjamin Jerome Cheeks at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Court
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- Jurisdiction
- California · Federal
- Judicial service
- January 9, 2025–present
Benjamin Jerome Cheeks
Judge · U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Available research
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Biography
Professional career
- Professional Career: Assistant district attorney, New York City, 2003-2010
- Professional Career: Adjunct professor, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, 2012-2013
- Professional Career: Adjunct professor, California Western School of Law, 2014-2022
- Professional Career: Private practice, San Diego, California, 2013-2024
- Professional Career: Assistant U.S. attorney, Southern District of California, 2010-2013
Education
- American University · J.D., 2003
- Washington College of Law · J.D., 2003
- University of Miami · B.A., 2000
Courtroom rules and guidance
Civil Remote Testimony
In federal district-court civil proceedings, testimony is ordinarily taken in open court; remote contemporaneous testimony requires good cause in compelling circumstances and appropriate safeguards.
For good cause in compelling circumstances and with appropriate safeguards, the court may permit testimony in open court by contemporaneous transmission from a different location.Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court ↗
Criminal Recording And Broadcasting
Federal district courts may not permit courtroom photography or broadcasting during criminal judicial proceedings unless a statute or another federal rule provides an exception.
Except as otherwise provided by a statute or these rules, the court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom.Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited ↗
Sources
Federal Judicial Center biography
Identity source · HTML · checked August 16, 2026
https://www.casd.uscourts.gov/Judges.aspxFederal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-civil-procedureFederal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/access-court-proceedings/remote-public-access-proceedings/history-cameras-broadcasting-and-remote-public-access-courts