U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

Filing

A self-represented litigant seeking a civil subpoena outside discovery deadlines must move for it and explain the need.

“If a pro se litigant seeks the issuance of a subpoena outside the court-ordered discovery deadlines, the pro se litigant shall file a motion requesting issuance of the subpoena and include an explanation of the need for the subpoena.”

Filing

The U.S. Attorney must include the court’s Criminal Case Cover Sheet with each criminal case filing.

“each time a criminal case is filed by the U.S. Attorney that the filings shall be accompanied by a filled in Criminal Case Cover Sheet”

Motions

After a clerk-granted answer extension, represented parties must meet and confer before a motion to dismiss, and the movant must state compliance in the motion.

“the Clerk is directed to require the parties to meet-and-confer, prior to the filing of a motion to dismiss, to determine whether there are issues that could be resolved or narrowed by the filing of an amended complaint; the moving party shall file a statement of compliance with this requirement with any motion to dismiss.”

Sealing

File medical records supporting or opposing a compassionate-release motion under seal in full, subject to later judicial review.

“compassionate release be filed under seal in their entirety, subject to review and possible”

Sealing

To seek treatment as a highly sensitive document outside the listed categories, move for that treatment without filing the proposed sensitive material electronically.

“the filing party should establish the need for sealing under the Local Rules, as applicable, and in addition, should file a ‘Motion to Treat Document or Case as Highly Sensitive,’ using existing procedures, except that a copy of the proposed highly sensitive material shall not be filed electronically.”

Sealing

Serve sealed documents by appropriate means outside CM/ECF; its electronic service does not suffice.

“service of those documents cannot be accomplished through CM/ECF. Rather, parties SHALL serve sealed documents by other appropriate means.”

Trial

Criminal defendants intending to plead guilty at arraignment should have counsel notify the magistrate judge’s case manager for scheduling before the district judge.

“unless a Defendant intends to plead guilty at arraignment, in which case defense counsel shall notify the Magistrate Judge’s case manager”