Fillable Instructions: Responding to a Motion (US Courts)

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Instructions: Responding to a Motion (US Courts)

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2017
Instructions: Opposition to Motion - General
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Instructions: Responding to a Motion
This template was prepared by the Justice & Diversity Center, a nonprofit organization, and is not an official
court form. It can be used in certain civil lawsuits in the Northern District Court of California. Using this
template does not guarantee any result in your case.
This packet provides general guidance about responding to a motion. Before filing this document, make
an appointment for free legal information and advice at one of the Legal Help Centers.
If the case is assigned to a judge in the San Francisco, Oakland, or Eureka federal courthouse,
do one of the following:
Call the appointment scheduling line for the Federal Pro Bono Project: 415-782-8982
Sign up in the appointment book at either:
450 Golden Gate Ave., 15th
Floor, Room 2796, San Francisco or
1301 Clay Street, 4th Floor, Room 470S, Oakland
Email us at federalprobonoproject@sfbar.org
This email is to schedule appointments only-no legal advice is given over email.
If the case is assigned to a judge in the San Jose federal courthouse, do one of the following:
Call the appointment scheduling line for the Federal Pro Se Program: 408-297-1480
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, drop in at
The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, 152 North 3rd St., 3rd Floor, San Jose
Monday to Thursday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, drop in at
280 South 1st Street, 2nd Floor, Room 2070, San Jose
WHEN TO RESPOND TO A MOTION
You have only 14 days to respond to a regular motion. The time to respond runs from the date the
motion was filed. Check the certificate of service, which should be included with the Motion papers. If you
need to respond to an Administrative Motion, you have only 4 days.
You can use this template for opposing most motions. If you are responding a Motion to Dismiss or Motion
for Summary Judgment, visit a Legal Help Center for templates for those specific Motions.
CHECKLIST: HOW TO PREPARE AN OPPOSITION
Complete the Declaration. A “Declaration” is a statement of facts signed under penalty of perjury.
HOW TO GET LEGAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE
WHO SHOULD USE THIS TEMPLATE
2017
Instructions: Opposition to Motion - General
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o Write the facts. In the Declaration, write each fact the Court needs to know to decide the
Motion. If a person other than you has personal knowledge of the facts, they may also submit a
Declaration. They can use a copy of the same Declaration template.
o Add exhibits as evidence. If you want to attach a document to your Declaration as evidence,
say what the document is, how you got it and when. You may want to use this format:
“Attached as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of an email I received from Plaintiff on June
5, 2017.” Mark each exhibit with a letter or number. Many judges require parties to also tab the
exhibit with the letter on the side.
o Review, number the pages and sign. Read the Declaration to make sure it is clear, correct,
and complete. Fill in the page numbers, sign and date.
Complete the Memorandum. In the Memorandum, argue why the Motion should be denied. Most
Memoranda cannot be longer than 15 pages.
o Write the facts (again). Repeat each fact stated in the Declaration(s). At the end of each
sentence, say where in the Declaration the Court can find evidence supporting the facts stated.
You may want to use these formats:
“On June 4, 2017, I called Defendant. (Plaintiff Declaration, paragraph 4.)”
“Plaintiff emailed me on June 5, 2017. (Defendant Declaration, paragraph 5 and
Exhibit A.)”
o Respond to each argument. A party usually makes several points in the “Argument” or
“Discussion” section of its Motion. You should respond to each point. When you mention
facts, say where in the Declaration the Court can find the supporting evidence, just as you did in
the Fact section. If you have questions about any argument, contact the Legal Help Center (see
page 1).
o Review, number the pages and sign Read the Memorandum to make sure it is clear, correct,
and complete. Fill in the page numbers, sign and date. If the Memorandum is longer than 10
pages (excluding the title page), you must add a table of contents and a table of cases and
statutes. Insert these after the title page.
Prepare the Certificate of Service. Each document that you file must be “served” on each other
party, usually by sending it in the mail. Follow the instructions on the Certificate of Service.
Do not respond to the Reply brief. The party who filed the Motion may file a Reply brief in
response to your Opposition. But in general your Opposition is the only brief you file. If there is new
information in the Reply brief that you want to address, contact a Legal Help Center for advice.
Mark your calendar. Put the hearing date on your calendar, and be sure to show up at Court. You
must follow whatever decision is made at or after the hearing and any instructions from the Court.
FILING AND SERVING YOUR OPPOSITION PAPERS
1. Make copies. Once the documents are complete, make three copies of each. On one copy of the
documents, write “Chambers” on the top in pen. (If there is more than one plaintiff or defendant,
you will also need one copy for each of them.)
2. File the Opposition papers. Deliver or mail the original plus two copies of the documents to the
Clerk’s Office at the courthouse where the Judge for your case is located. The Clerk will take the
original and one copy. The other copy is for you to keep after it is stamped by the Clerk. If you
file by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that the Clerk can send a copy back to
you.
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Instructions: Opposition to Motion - General
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3. Serve the Opposition. Be sure the Opposition papers and Certificate are served on each party.
TIMELINE: AFTER THE OPPOSITION PAPERS ARE FILED
The timeline below lists what generally happens after the Opposition is filed. The Legal Help Centers (see
page 1) can provide guidance about these steps, and have many other templates for you to use in your case.
STAY UP TO DATE
1. Update your contact information. File a notice with the Clerk right away if your address, email, or
phone number changes, or you may miss important deadlines, causing you to lose your case.
2. Check your mail. Be sure to check regularly for documents from the Court and opposing side.
3. A list of the documents that have been filed, and (usually) the documents themselves can be
viewed online. See Chapter 7 of the Handbook (below), and contact the Legal Help Centers.
UNDERSTANDING THE LAWS AND RULES
The Legal Help Centers (see page 1) are the best resource for people without lawyers. There are other
resources for understanding the laws and rules of the Court:
1. Handbook for Pro Se Litigants. The Handbook is a procedural guide for people who are
representing themselves. It was prepared by the Court and is available at the Clerk’s Office or on the
Court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov/prosehandbk.
2. Legal Research Guide for Pro Se Litigants. The Guide provides information for people who are
representing themselves about how to do legal research, like finding statutes and decisions in other
cases. It was prepared by the Justice & Diversity Center and is available at the Legal Help Centers
and at www.cand.uscourts.gov/Legal-Help-Center-Templates.
3. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“FRCP”). These Rules explain the procedures from filing
through trial for all civil cases in federal courts across the country, and are available at
www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf.
4. Local Rules. The Local Rules follow the same numbering as the FRCP, but generally provide more
detail. They apply in this District only, and are available at www.cand.uscourts.gov/localrules/civil.
Opposition served
Moving party
may file a
Reply
(within 7 days)
Court has hearing on
Motion, or cancels
the hearing
Court sends out a written Order
deciding whether the Motion is
granted or denied
(no deadline, but usually within a
few weeks of hearing date)
Parties follow
Judge's Order
OPPOSITION TO MOTION _________________________________________________________
CASE NO.: ___________________________________; PAGE ___ OF ___ [JDC TEMPLATE – rev. 2017]
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Your name:
Address:
Phone Number:
E-mail Address:
Pro se
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
Division [check one]: San Francisco Oakland San Jose Eureka
Plaintiff,
vs.
Defendant.
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Case Number:
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF
OPPOSITION TO MOTION
[type of motion]
________________________________________
________________________________________
DATE:
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TIME:
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JUDGE:
Hon. ____________________________________
OPPOSITION TO MOTION _________________________________________________________
CASE NO.: ___________________________________; PAGE ___ OF ___ [JDC TEMPLATE – rev. 2017]
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I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
[Write the facts relevant to the motion. At the end of each sentence, write where evidence of that fact
can be found. See the Instructions for more detailed information.]
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OPPOSITION TO MOTION _________________________________________________________
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II. ARGUMENT
[Explain your response to each of the arguments made in the Motion. Go in the same order as the
arguments were made in the Motion, if possible.]
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OPPOSITION TO MOTION _________________________________________________________
CASE NO.: ___________________________________; PAGE ___ OF ___ [JDC TEMPLATE – rev. 2017]
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[You must sign and date.]
Respectfully submitted,
Date:
Sign Name:
Print Name:
OPPOSITION TO MOTION _________________________________________________________
CASE NO.: ___________________________________; PAGE ___ OF ___ [JDC TEMPLATE – rev. 2017]
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Insert this page as needed to continue the facts or argument section, or to write an introduction.
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DECLARATION OF [name] _________________________________________________________
CASE NO.: _________________________________; PAGE ____ OF ____ [JDC TEMPLATE - rev. 2017]
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Your name:
Address:
Phone Number:
E-mail Address:
Pro se
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
Division [check one]: San Francisco Oakland San Jose Eureka
Plaintiff,
vs.
Defendant.
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Case Number:
DECLARATION OF
[name of person signing]
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IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION
[motion title]
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DATE:
_________________________________
TIME:
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JUDGE:
Hon.
___________________________________
[In the first paragraph, explain who you are. If you are the Plaintiff or Defendant, say so here. If you
are a witness, say how you are connected to the party or events in this case.]
1. I am ____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.
2. I have personal knowledge of all facts stated in this declaration, and if called to testify, I
could and would testify competently thereto.
DECLARATION OF [name] _________________________________________________________
CASE NO.: _________________________________; PAGE ____ OF ____ [JDC TEMPLATE - rev. 2017]
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[Write each fact in a separate, numbered paragraph, starting with 3. You may only write about facts
that you know personally, such as events you witnessed. Explain how you know each fact. If you want
to include documents, see the Instructions. Make copies of this page if you need more space.]
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DECLARATION OF [name] _________________________________________________________
CASE NO.: _________________________________; PAGE ____ OF ____ [JDC TEMPLATE - rev. 2017]
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I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true
and correct.
Date:
Sign Name:
Print Name:
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE [JDC TEMPLATE Rev. 05/2017]
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF DOCUMENT OTHER THAN COMPLAINT
* You must serve each document you file by sending or delivering to the opposing side. Complete
this form, and include it with the
document
that you file and serve.
*
1. Case Name: _____________________________ v. ________________________________
2. Case Number: _____________________________________________________________
3.
What documents were served? [Write the full name or title of the document or
documents] Opposition to Motion
4.
How was the document served? [check one]
Placed in U.S. Mail
Hand-delivered
Sent for delivery (e.g., FedEx, UPS)
Sent by fax (if the other party has agreed to accept service by fax)
5. Who did you send the document to? [Write the full name and contact information for
each person you sent the document.]
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6. When were the documents sent?
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7.
Who served the documents? [Whoever puts it into the mail, faxes, delivers or sends for
delivery
should sign, and print their name and address. You can do this yourself.]
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing
is true and correct.
Signature:
_____________________________________________________
Name:
_____________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
_____________________________________
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Instructions: Responding to a Motion (US Courts)

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