Beth Labson Freeman

Judge Specific

Trial Exhibits

Judge Freeman requires a joint tabular exhibit list for civil bench trials, with pre-marked exhibit numbers, descriptions, purposes, sponsoring witnesses, and objections; undisclosed exhibits may not be offered without leave for good cause.

A joint list of exhibits... in tabular form with (a) a column identifying the exhibit number consistent with the pre-marking requirement... (d) a column stating any objections... No party shall be permitted to offer any exhibit at trial that is not disclosed... without leave of the Court for good cause shown.

Standing Order Re Civil Bench Trials, Judge Beth Labson Freeman ↗

Courtwide

Technology Walkthrough

The Northern District of California publishes guidance advising counsel to fully test their equipment and schedule a courtroom visit to test it before the proceeding.

The court highly recommends that counsel be familiar their equipment and fully test prior to using anything in the courtroom. ... schedule a visit in the courtroom to test everything before the proceeding.

Courtroom Technology ↗

Courtwide

Specialized Evidence Software

For e-evidence requiring specialized software, the Northern District of California publishes a process for at least two business days' advance notice through the Courtroom Deputy and approval by the judge and Court IT.

at least two (2) business days advance notice, counsel may request via the Courtroom Deputy that the specialized software be loaded by counsel prior to use of the system. If the judge and the court’s IT Department approve...

Courtroom Technology ↗

Courtwide

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 ↗

Courtwide

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 ↗