{"id":"c5f6d8f3-5ba8-49ed-3ea4-08ddece20de6","initials":"DOC","title":"District Judge","name":"David O. Carter","titleType":"DJ","dirFirstName":"David","dirMiddleName":null,"dirLastName":"Carter","dirNameSuffix":null,"division":"SA","courthouse":"SA","courtroom":"10A","floor":"10","urlAlias":"honorable-david-o-carter","zoomLink":"https://cacd-uscourts.zoomgov.com/j/1618147150?pwd=eXFCVzloVmdDVlVyL29LZTVoUi9Ldz09","zoomPhone":"669-254-5252","zoomWebinarId":"161 814 7150","zoomPasscode":"634618","staffs":[{"title":"Courtroom Deputy Clerk","titleType":"CRD","name":"Karlen Dubon","email":"DOC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov","phone":null,"website":null,"publishedNotes":"During business hours, the best way to contact Judge Carter's Courtroom Deputy Clerk is via email at DOC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.","sortOrder":6},{"title":"Court Reporter","titleType":"Reporter","name":"Assigned as needed.","email":null,"phone":null,"website":null,"publishedNotes":null,"sortOrder":7}],"documents":[{"id":"e29b3e78-a9ee-4245-8fb7-e0c766034d7d","name":"PROCEDURES FOR EFILING CRIMINAL DOCUMENTS UNDER SEAL","fileName":"PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRONICALLY PRESENTING CRIMINAL DOCUMENTS FOR UNDER SEAL FILING.pdf","fileType":"application/pdf","sortOrder":1},{"id":"076ccf6a-c8f6-414c-baf1-946964bd41d9","name":"PROPOSED ORDER TEMPLATE ","fileName":"TEMPLATE - Proposed Order_DOC.docx","fileType":"application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document","sortOrder":2},{"id":"2634d131-3d3d-483e-9117-febb83345558","name":"SCHEDULING ORDER & ORDER RE: PRETRIAL AND TRIAL PROCEDURES","fileName":"SCHEDULING ORDER_0.pdf","fileType":"application/pdf","sortOrder":3},{"id":"d42edb14-1281-4f48-9ff6-bbe10dbfd783","name":"ORDER SETTING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE","fileName":"ORDER SETTING SCHEDULING ORDER -rev6.2024.pdf","fileType":"application/pdf","sortOrder":4},{"id":"2eb96462-b182-460c-86b4-288cbe367576","name":"STANDING ORDER","fileName":"STANDING ORDER.pdf","fileType":"application/pdf","sortOrder":5},{"id":"3bb5bb28-08c9-44dd-b2d3-b41ce27f8a28","name":"SCHEDULING ORDER","fileName":"SCHEDULING ORDER.pdf","fileType":"application/pdf","sortOrder":6},{"id":"d3e5af6e-30b1-45f0-9cdb-5988587b6a40","name":"GUIDE TO EFILING CIVIL DOCUMENTS UNDER SEAL EFFECTIVE 12/1/15","fileName":"Guide to Efiling Sealed Docs 11-25-15.pdf","fileType":"application/pdf","sortOrder":7}],"tentativeRulings":[],"webPage":{"webBlocks":[{"title":"Important Notice","content":"
All proceedings- including trials, motion hearings, scheduling conferences, and status conferences- will be held IN PERSON in Courtroom 10A. 
Any request for a remote appearance must be e-filed promptly with a declaration showing good cause.
BE ADVISED: Requests for remote appearance are rarely granted. If granted leave by the Court to appear remotely, please log-in via the Court's Zoom information provided below.
 
Parties and counsel are to use the following email address for case-related communications:   DOC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov
 

The Courtroom Deputy (CRD) reviews emails sent to this address. Neither Judge Carter nor members of chambers' staff review these communications directly. 

Parties and counsel are directed to review and comply with the procedures set forth below and the relevant PDF attachments at the bottom of this webpage.   
 

Parties and counsel are also directed to review and comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or Criminal Procedure, the Court’s Local Civil and/or Criminal Rules, and all Orders of the Court.  The Court’s Local Rules may be accessed at http://www.cacd.uscourts.gov/court-procedures/Local-Rules. 
 

Note, that there are separate chapters of the Local Rules for civil cases, criminal cases, and bankruptcy proceedings. 
 

Failure to comply with the Federal Rules, the Local Rules, and/or this Court’s procedures and Orders is likely to result in the denial of any relief sought. 

","sortOrder":1,"position":"Top"},{"title":"Judge's Procedures","content":"

Trials are generally held Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. until the Court recesses for the day.

  1. Are tentative rulings issued?
    Tentative rulings on civil motions are occasionally distributed in Court before the hearing.

     
  2. Discovery motions in a civil case:
    All discovery motions are to be calendared before the assigned Magistrate Judge.  Parties and counsel are directed to the procedures for discovery motions in Local Rule 37 and are advised to consult the procedures page of the Magistrate Judge assigned to their case.

     
  3. Deadlines for submission of sentencing positions:
    One week prior to the sentencing date.

     
  4. Mandatory chambers copies: All original filings are to be filed electronically pursuant to Local Rule 5-4. The Court requires one mandatory chambers copy of ONLY the following filed documents:
    1. Civil matters: motions for final approval of class settlements; ex parte applications (excluding PHV Applications) and related documents (oppositions and exhibits); Joint Rule 26(f) Reports; and all pretrial as well as ALL TRIAL DOCUMENTS. To save paper, no courtesy copies should be filed for motions not listed above.
    2. Criminal matters: all motions and related documents and exhibits; plea agreements, sentencing positions, ALL TRIAL DOCUMENTS, stipulations and proposed orders.

    3. Except as to documents filed under seal, mandatory chambers copies of all documents in both civil and criminal cases shall be delivered to the mandatory chambers box (10th floor) no later than noon following the date of filing. 
      MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPIES DO NOT NEED TO BE BLUE-BACKED.

       

  5. ​Procedures for filing an Ex Parte Application:

    Ex Parte Applications are considered on the papers and are not usually set for hearing.  Counsel’s attention is directed to Local Rule 7-19.  The moving party shall serve the opposing party by electronic mail or hand service and shall notify the opposing party that any opposition must be filed not later than 24 hours after such electronic mail or hand service.  If counsel does not intend to oppose the ex parte application, counsel must inform the CRD by email.

     

  6. Length and format of motions:

    Counsel must comply with the timing requirements of the Local Rules so that chambers can properly prepare for motion matters. Memoranda of Points and Authorities, Motions (including TROs) and Oppositions are limited to 25 pages in length, not inclusive of the captions, signature, tables, or attorney information. Replies are limited to 10 pages. 

    Any pages in excess of these limits will be stricken if leave of court was not obtained prior to filing.

    All filings with the Court must be a minimum of 14-point size font and use double-spaced paragraphs. Any filings that do not comply with these requirements may be stricken if leave of court was not obtained prior to filing. Footnotes may be single-spaced, but the font size must be the same as that used in the body of the document. Parties must not use extensive footnotes as a way to avoid page limitations. If it appears to the Court that footnotes are being used for that purpose, the Court may strike the brief and require it to be re-filed without footnotes.​

    No supplemental brief(s) or sur-reply briefs may be filed without leave of Court. Local Rule 7-10. 

     

  7. The Court’s Standard Orders:

    After the filing of a Complaint, the Court issues an Initial Standing Order, which outlines the Judge’s rules and expectations that litigants should be familiar with from the beginning of their case.  Once an answer is filed, the Court issues an Order Setting Scheduling Conference.  This order provides important guidance regarding the procedures counsel should follow.  Both orders should be read carefully, as compliance with the orders is required.  Samples of the orders can be obtained below under Orders & Additional Documents.

     
  8. Proposed Orders:

    Please refer to L.R. 5-4.4.1 (requiring electronic filing of proposed orders in PDF format) and L.R. 5-4.4.2 (requiring email submission of proposed orders in Word-processing formats). For email submissions of proposed orders, the Court prefers that proposed orders be submitted in Word format only. Email submissions of proposed orders should be sent to DOC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Please note the Court does not have the capability to process proposed orders via CD or disk.

     
  9. Appearance of Counsel (Civil and Criminal Cases):

    The Court does not entertain telephonic appearances for hearings except in truly exceptional circumstances.  In civil cases, lead trial counsel is expected to appear at all conferences and hearings, including motion hearings.  Special appearances are not permitted, and only counsel of record may appear.

     
  10. Alternative Dispute Resolution (civil cases):

    This Court participates in the Court-Directed ADR Program. If counsel have received a Notice to Parties of Court-Directed ADR Program (ADR-08), the case will be presumptively referred to the Court’s Mediation Panel or to private mediation. See General Order 11-10, § 5.1 and Local Rule 26-1(c).  This Court generally does not refer settlement conferences to magistrate judges, unless it involves a public entity.  

    The Court does not participate in early ADR procedure for cases brought pursuant to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).​

     
  11. Scheduling Conferences:

    The Court issues a detailed Order Setting Scheduling Conference, which the parties and counsel are directed to review carefully before preparing their Joint Rule 26(f) Report.  The Joint Rule 26(f) Report must be filed two weeks in advance of the conference. The Court, on occasion, vacates Scheduling Conferences in favor of issuing a Scheduling Order, based on the parties’ written submission.  

     
  12. To request a continuance of any scheduled court proceeding:

    Continuations and special requests must be approved by the Court.  Good cause must be shown.  Counsel must make such requests in pleading form by submitting a stipulation and a proposed order at least one week in advance (or by submitting an ex parte application, but only if necessary). Refer to Local Rules 7-1,7-11, and 7-19 for proper format.

     
  13. Under seal filings:

    For civil cases, counsel are directed to follow the procedures outlined in L.R. 79-5.2.2.  Also, see GUIDE TO EFILING CIVIL DOCUMENTS UNDER SEAL EFFECTIVE 12/1/15.  

    For criminal cases, see PROCEDURES FOR EFILING CRIMINAL DOCUMENTS UNDER SEAL under Orders & Additional Documents at the bottom of this page.

     
  14. Calendar conflicts:

    If counsel has a calendar conflict with any matter set for hearing on the Court’s calendar, counsel should seek a stipulation from all opposing counsel to change the hearing date.  If a stipulation is not forthcoming, counsel should file an Ex Parte Application seeking to continue the hearing date.  Any such Ex Parte should be submitted well in advance of the hearing.

     
  15. Procedures for bringing electronic equipment into the courtroom:

    Counsel are to request, through the CRD, permission to bring in or use audio, video or electronic equipment for presentations during hearings or trials.

     
  16. Trial preparation:

    See also the Court’s SCHEDULING ORDER.  Exhibit tag forms can be located on the Court’s website, General Forms, Form Numbers G-014A (plaintiff) or G-014B (defendant). 

     
  17. Procedures for obtaining the services of an interpreter on a civil case:

    Counsel in civil cases are responsible for obtaining the services of an interpreter, if one is needed.

     
  18. Law Clerk positions:

    Judge Carter hires two term law clerks each year.  All applicants must apply through the OSCAR system during the posting period, which is generally June of the calendar year before the position begins. 

     
  19. Extern positions:

    Externs are hired for the Spring, Summer and Fall terms.  All externs are expected to be full-time.  Extern applicants should apply in August for Spring externships; in December for Summer externships; and in February for Fall externships.  Applicants should send a resume, brief writing sample, and transcript (if available) to DOC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.

     
  20. No contact with chambers:

    Parties and counsel shall direct their communications to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk (CRD) via DOC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.

​​​​​​

","sortOrder":2,"position":"Center"},{"title":"Law and Motion Schedule","content":"

Civil motions, Ex Partes, Status Conferences, and Scheduling Conferences are heard on Mondays at 8:30 a.m.

Criminal motions, Status Conferences, Change of Pleas, and Sentencings are heard on Mondays at 7:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

If Monday is a holiday, the next motion date is the following Monday. 

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 Monday in a given week is a holiday, the Court will NOT have a Monday calendar.  The next available hearing date will be the following Monday.

","sortOrder":3,"position":"Center"},{"title":"Mandatory Chambers Copies","content":"All original filings are to be filed electronically pursuant to Local Rule 5-4. The Court requires one mandatory chambers copy of ONLY the following filed documents:\r\n
    \r\n
  1. Civil matters: motions for final approval of class settlements; ex parte applications (excluding PHV Applications) and related documents (oppositions and exhibits); Joint Rule 26(f) Reports; and ALL PRETRIAL DOCUMENTS. To save paper, no courtesy copies should be filed for motions not listed above.
    2. \r\n
  2. Criminal matters: all motions and related documents and exhibits; plea agreements, sentencing positions, stipulations and proposed orders.
    3. \r\n
  3. Except as to documents filed under seal, mandatory chambers copies of all documents in both civil and criminal cases shall be delivered to the mandatory chambers box (10th floor) no later than noon following the date of filing.
    \r\n MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPIES DO NOT NEED TO BE BLUE-BACKED.
    4. \r\n
","sortOrder":4,"position":"Left"}]},"dailyCalendars":[{"date":"2026-10-26","calendar":{"id":"b3533bf0-0bd0-4b38-2422-08df3158b53b","fileName":"26-10-26, doc, Calendar.pdf","fileType":"application/pdf","isCrBenchDuty":false,"isCrDocDuty":false,"isCvDuty":false,"isCvb":false}},{"date":"2026-10-27","calendar":null}],"motionCalendars":{"calendars":[{"date":"2026-10-26","cv":"Closed","cr":null},{"date":"2026-11-02","cv":"Closed","cr":null},{"date":"2026-11-09","cv":"Closed","cr":null},{"date":"2026-11-16","cv":"Closed","cr":null},{"date":"2026-11-23","cv":"Closed","cr":null}],"hasMore":true,"nextStartDate":"2026-11-24"}}