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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
How do I look up cases on your web site?
Case information is available through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) at http://ecf.utd.uscourts.gov.
A PACER login is available to any attorney or member of the public, with a $.08 per page fee for documents downloaded.
How many copies do I file?
In most cases one original and one copy for the judge. A second copy should be filed if a
magistrate judge is assigned to the case. The exceptions are proposed orders, returns of service
and certificates of service.
How many proposed orders do I file?
File only the original of any order. A copy for the judge is not necessary. It is not necessary to
submit self-addressed envelopes for orders. Copies of orders are mailed out by the clerk's office,
unless DUCivR 77-3 applies.
How many certificates of service do I file?
File only the original of any certificate of service. A copy for the judge is not necessary.
What else is required when filing documents with the court?
All documents should be stapled and two-hole punched at the top. The original document
requires an original signature (preferably in blue ink). For information on the general formatting
of pleadings, please see DUCivR 10-1. Please observe the rule and submit all pleadings flat and
unfolded.
What is the procedure for filing a new complaint?
One of two methods:
1. Complaints should now be filed online. See the instructions under 'Filing Complaints and Paying On Line' in the Administrative Procedures.
OR
2. File an original document and provide one copy for the judge. Include a completed civil cover sheet and a copy for the judge. The documents should be two-hole punched at the top. Provide a check for $350.00, made payable to: "Clerk, U.S. District Court". Bring completed summons to be issued by the clerk.
Do you accept faxed documents?
Documents produced via facsimile transmission are not deemed acceptable.
Do you accept emailed documents?
Not to be filed in the case. However, copies of proposed orders should be emailed to the judge's chambers. Complaints should be be emailed as part of case opening.
What is the procedure for filing discovery?
Pursuant to DUCivR 26-1, discovery
documents are not to be filed with the court unless so ordered by the court.
What is the procedure for filing disclosures?
Disclosures under the recent amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule
26(a), are treated as other discovery documents such as answers to interrogatories,
requests for admissions and requests for production of documents and are not
filed with the court. Please refer to DUCivR
26-1. Expert Witness Reports, however, are filed.
Who issues summons in a civil case?
Summons are issued by the court. The summons form needs to be completely filled out prior to being issued.
Who issues subpoenas in a civil case?
Attorneys may issue subpoenas in civil cases. The clerk may issue subpoenas for non attorney pro se litigants.
How do you serve subpoenas for a deposition or for documents in another state when the
case is pending here?
Attorneys who are practicing before this court are empowered by Rule 45 of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure to issue subpoenas for depositions or documents in any other federal court
district. The standard subpoena form should be used. The attorney will complete the heading,
indicating the District Court and Division in which the subpoena is to be served. The Utah case
number is placed in the case number area placing the name of the District of Utah underneath.
The attorney will serve the necessary notices when issuing a subpoena.
When the return of service is made, the attorney holds the return. It is not filed in the Utah file.
If further proceedings, such as a notice of appeal, become necessary, the attorney must open a miscellaneous case in the other district in order to litigate the validity of the subpoena.
How do I submit (or file) my Attorney Planning Meeting
Report and Scheduling Order?
As soon as practicable, counsel in a civil case should conduct an Attorney Planning Meeting
under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f). The Attorney Planning Meeting Report form should be completed
and filed with the court promptly thereafter (and no later than 30 days in advance of any
Initial Pretrial (IPT) Scheduling Conference).
A draft Proposed Scheduling Order should be simultaneously should be e-mailed to ipt@utd.uscourts.gov, unless the case is assigned to a senior judge in which case the Proposed Order should be emailed directly to that senior judge.
For complete instructions, please visit our IPT page.
How do I amend a Scheduling Order?
If a motion or stipulation is filed to request a change of scheduled dates,
please consider whether the change will necessarily require a new trial date. Generally,
five months must be allowed between the dispositive motion deadline and the
trial date to allow the motions to be filed, briefed, set, argued and decided
before trial preparation starts. A motion or stipulation that does not
leave this amount of time will likely not be granted.
If a motion or stipulation to amend schedule is filed, a new Proposed Scheduling Order should simultaneously be emailed to ipt@utd.uscourts.gov, unless the case is assigned to a senior judge in which case the Proposed Order should be emailed directly to that judge.
It is improper to use a combined "motion and order" to amend a scheduling
order.
For complete instructions, please visit our IPT page.
What are the current witness fees?
Witness fees are currently $40.00 per day and 50.5 cents per mile (round-trip)
(As of 03/19/2008)
How do I obtain a copy of an Opinion (also known as a Memorandum Decision)?
Memorandum Decisions may be downloaded from PACER at no charge. They can be found under Reports > Written Opinions Report. There is no charge for downloading opinions from PACER.
Also, copies of opinions or other documents in a case may be obtained at the Clerk's Office and are $.50 per page and payment is requested in advance. To obtain copies, please submit a Copywork Request Form to the Clerk's office indicating the case number, case name and the court record number.
For additional options and complete information, visit the How to Obtain Copies of Court Documents page. If you need further assistance, please call the Intake Office at (801) 524-6100.
How do I obtain a copy of a transcript?
Each district court adopts a schedule of transcript fees for its reporters and transcribers, subject to maximum rates established by the Judicial Conference.
The conference has established four transcript categories based on delivery times and has set a maximum rate for each. Fees range from $3.00-$6.00 per page.
Costs for additional copies range from $.50-$1.00 per page.
To order a transcript for a matter held before a District Judge. In general, contact the Judge's Court Reporter. Keep in mind that court reporters cover other court reporters. Consult the minute entry for the name of the court reporter. Have the following information available when ordering transcripts:
To order a transcript for a matter held before a Magistrate Judge, contact the magistrate courtroom deputy. The information you will need is on the minute entry. Be ready to give the:
What is a Docket? How do I obtain copies of a Docket?
Dockets are a "snapshot" of the case file. The docket lists each party, and the attorneys of record.
A brief summary of each document is listed, along with the date it was filed and the court record
number assigned to the document.
To obtain a copy of the docket sheet, please submit a Copywork Request Form to the Clerk's office indicating the case name and case number of the docket sheet you would like a copy of. Cost is $.50 per page. Dockets may be remotely accessed by use of the PACER system.
What do I do if I have a question about a docket entry in a specific case?
For answers to docket questions call the docket clerk assigned to that judge.
The clerks and the telephone numbers are listed below.
| CIVIL and CRIMINAL | ||
| Cases assigned to Judge Tena Campbell (TC) | (801)524-6119 | |
| Cases assigned to Judge Dee Benson (DB) | (801)524-3245 | |
| Cases assigned to Judge Dale A. Kimball (DAK) | (801)524-6129 | |
| Cases assigned to Judge Ted Stewart (TS) | (801)524-6141 | |
| Cases assigned to Judge Bruce S. Jenkins (BSJ) | (801)524-6123 | |
| Cases assigned to Judge J. Thomas Greene (JTG) | (801)524-6123 | |
| Cases assigned to Judge David Sam (DS) | (801)524-6123 | |
| Cases assigned to Magistrate Judge | Courtroom Deputy | |
If you need information on a case that has been filed within the past five (5) days, please call the Intake Office at (801) 524-6100.
How do I get a copy of the local rules?
The local rules are available for sale at the Office of the Clerk or you may download PDF or HTML version. Copies should be available at
local law libraries.
How are Judges assigned to cases?
Our cases are assigned randomly via a computerized "card deck".
How do I obtain information about my divorce?
Divorces are obtained through the State of Utah. The state court in Salt Lake City is Third
District Court. The phone number is (801) 238-7300.
How do I obtain information regarding my traffic ticket?
Traffic tickets in Salt Lake City, not issued on federal property, are handled by the state. Traffic
matters on federal property may be handled in our court. Click here for additional information regarding CVB Violations.
What is the phone number for the state court?
In Salt Lake City, the State Court is Third District Court. They may be reached at (801) 238-7300.
How do I get answers to simple legal questions?
The clerk's office staff may NOT provide any legal advice.
You may attend the "Tuesday Night Bar" sponsored by the Utah State Bar and speak with an attorney briefly with no charge. It is held at the Utah Law & Justice Center, 645 South 200 East, Salt Lake City four Tuesdays a month from 5:00 - 6:30 P.M. You must call ahead for a reservation (801)531-9077.