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Judge David Sam

Practices & Procedures

Judge Sam requests that all documents necessary for him to review in preparation for hearings be emailed to chambers at utdecf_sam@utd.uscourts.gov no later than one week at noon prior to the matter being heard.

 

Standard Criminal Trial Order (word)

Standard Criminal Voir Dire (word)
Stock Criminal Instructions - Preliminary (word) 
Standard Criminal Instructions - General (word)

I. Contact Information:

A. Email:

  • Email regarding scheduling or other case management matters may be sent to chambers at david_sam@utd.uscourts.gov. Proposed orders may be emailed to utdecf_sam@utd.uscourts.gov.
  • Except in rare circumstances, opposing counsel should be copied on all email correspondence with chambers.

B. Telephone:

  • Telephone calls to chambers regarding scheduling and procedural matters are permitted.
  • For case scheduling, email chambers at david_sam@utd.uscourts.gov .
  • Hearings may be requested by written motion or emailing chambers at david_sam@utd.uscourts.gov.
  • For questions regarding sentencings and changes of plea, contact chambers at (801) 524-6190.
  • If you wish to speak to the law clerk assigned to a specific case, please call or email chambers and the information will be provided.

C. Mail:

  • Mailing Address: Judge David Sam 351 S. West Temple, Room 10.310, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. Copies of correspondence between counsel shall not be sent to the court.

D. Courtroom:

  • Hearings are usually held in Courtroom 8.300, on the 8th floor. Parties are advised to check the daily court calendar to verify which courtroom we are using.

II. Hearings:

A. Changing Hearing Dates:

  • When possible, modifications to any hearing date should be stipulated, and requested by joint filing or email to utdecf_sam@utd.uscourts.gov . Counsel may also request a modification by phone call chambers at (801) 524-6190 provided all counsel are on the call or have been contacted in advance and permission given to represent consent.

B. Courtesy Copies:

  • Paper copies of all dispositive motions, memoranda, responses, and exhibits should be emailed or delivered directly to chambers at the time the document is filed.

III. Proposed Orders

  • Proposed orders should be submitted at the time a motion is filed and emailed to chambers in Word format.
  • Proposed orders must refer to the docket entry number(s) for the motion(s) resolved.
  • Proposed orders should include the following signature line:

BY THE COURT:

_________________________
DAVID SAM

Senior Judge

United States District Court

  • The proposed order should be emailed to utdecf_sam@utd.uscourts.gov. Proposed orders emailed to chambers must be editable and in word processing format.
  • If objections to an order are unresolved, the party objecting should email the objections and that party's proposed revision of the order.
  • All emails must be copied to all counsel.
  • For further information, see the ECF Procedures Manual.

IV. Trial Procedures and Practices

A. Trial Order:

  • Our Trial Order generally sets forth the court's procedures and practices for trial. The Trial Order provides information concerning jury instructions, voir dire, exhibit and witness lists, and other trial issues.

Standard Criminal Trial Order (word)

B. Voir Dire:

  • The court utilizes the following standard voir dire:
    Standard Criminal Voir Dire (word)
     
  • The Trial Order describes the procedure and timing for submitting additional proposed voir dire. Jury questionnaires are generally disfavored.

C. Jury Instructions:

D. Courtroom Equipment

  • Information about the availability of courtroom equipment may be obtained by calling our chambers at (801) 524-6190. Parties are encouraged to coordinate the use of any electronic media in advance of the trial setting.

E. Courtroom Practices

F.  Preliminary Juror Questionnaire

            Judge Sam has adopted the practice of sending out preliminary juror questionnaires.  Those questionnaires are prepared by counsel and must conform to the standards established by the juror administrator, Tracey Hopkins tracey_hopkins@utd.uscourts.gov. Questionnaires are emailed out approximately 6 weeks in advance to the jury pool and then used by the court and counsel prior to jury selection.  Please contact chambers or Tracey Hopkins for more information.

V. Page Limitations

Page limitations for motions and memoranda are set forth in the Local Rules. In accordance with the Local Rules, the court will approve requests for overlength motions and memoranda only for good cause and a showing of exceptional circumstances. Any party seeking to file an overlength motion or memorandum must obtain leave of the court prior to filing the overlength motion or memorandum. As a matter of general practice, the court will strike any overlength motion or memorandum not previously authorized by the court.