William P. Dimitrouleas
U.S. District Judge
The following information has been secured by voluntary questionnaire from the judiciary. This information is not binding on any judge or court official and may not be relied upon for precedential purposes.
| Location of Chambers: | 299 E. Broward Boulevard, 203F Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone Number: | (954) 769-5650 |
| Assigned Courtroom: | #203E |
1. STAFF
Judicial Secretary: Tammy Barlow
Phone Number: (954)-769-5650
Courtroom Deputy: Karen Carlton
Phone Number: (954) 769-5655
Court Reporter: Robert Ryckoff
Phone Number: (954) 769-5657
Docket Clerk: Lisa Streets
Phone Number: (954) 769-5411
Law Clerks:
(1) Michele Korrer
Term Ending: August, 2003
Law School: University of Miami
(2) Jennifer Staack
Term Ending: August, 2004
Law School: Southern California
Policy regarding communication with staff [i.e., Do you permit counsel to contact assigned law clerks?]
Yes___No_X_
2. PRETRIAL PROCEDURE (CIVIL):
A. Preliminary Pretrial Hearings:
Do you conduct preliminary pretrial hearings?
Yes___No_X_
If YES, what matters do you typically discuss during preliminary pretrial hearings:
If NO, do you refer preliminary pretrial hearings to a United States Magistrate Judge?
Yes___No_X_
B. Motion Practice:
Do you regularly set aside time during a given week/month for hearings on motions?
Yes___No_X_
If YES, when is your normal hearing date/time?
What are your procedures concerning ex-parte temporary restraining orders?
As permitted by Rule 65(b) Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Do you hear preliminary injunction motions yourself?
Yes_X_No___
If NO, do you routinely refer preliminary injunctions for report and recommendation by a U.S. Magistrate Judge?
Yes____No____
If YES, do you limit the hearing to argument of counsel?
Yes___No_X_
If NO, what are your procedures for the receipt of evidence during a hearing on a preliminary injunction?
Will consider live testimony and affidavits where appropriate.
What is your practice concerning oral arguments of dispositive motions?
Only in extraordinary circumstances.
C. Settlement:
What is your policy/practice regarding the use of alternative dispute resolution devices such as court-annexed, non-binding arbitration and mediation?
Mediation is required, unless excepted by local rules.
Do you personally conduct settlement discussions?
Yes___No_X_
If YES, under that circumstances?
D. Discovery:
Do you refer discovery matters to a U.S. Magistrate Judge?
Yes_X_No___
E. Pretrial Conference:
Do you personally conduct pretrial conferences in your cases?
Yes___No_X_
If YES, do you have a standing order regarding pretrial conference?
Yes____No____ If YES, please attach a copy.
3. PRETRIAL PROCEDURE (CRIMINAL)
A. Preliminary Pretrial Hearings:
Do you personally conduct preliminary pretrial conferences in criminal cases?
Yes___No_X_
If YES, what matters do you typically discuss during a preliminary pretrial conference?
If NO, do you refer preliminary pretrial conferences to U.S. Magistrate Judges?
Yes_X_No___ (1st time set for trial)
Do you have a policy regarding the timing of disclosure of Jencks Act material?
Yes___No_X_
If YES, what is your policy?
B. Pleas:
What is your policy concerning nolo contendere or Alford?
Generally accepted.
What is your policy concerning plea arrangements that involve sentencing recommendations?
Accept them.
4. TRIAL:
A. Trial dates:
Do you grant trial dates certain?
Yes_X_No___
If YES, under what circumstances will you grant trial date certain?
Sometimes, one day non-jury.
If a case is not reached during the scheduled trial term, will the trial date be automatically rescheduled on your next trial docket?
Yes_X_No___ Unless, I am in a long trial already.
If NO, what is your practice or procedure regarding rescheduling trials which are not reached on a trial docket?
Reset by Order.
What is your policy regarding notice of being called for trial during a trial docket? [e.g., 48 hours]
24 hours generally.
B. Trial Briefs:
Do you require trial briefs in jury trials?
Yes___No_X_
Do you require trial briefs in bench trials?
Yes___No_X_
What are your requirements for trial briefs?
When are trial briefs due?
Do you require proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed in bench trials?
Yes_X_No___
If YES, when do you require the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed?
One week before Calendar Call.
When do you require parties to file proposed jury instructions?
One week before Calendar Call.
C. Voir Dire:
Do you permit counsel to conduct voir dire?
Yes_X_No___ (partially)
If YES, what guidelines or restrictions must counsel follow when conducting voir dire?
Ten minutes per side.
If judge conducts voir dire, can parties submit proposed voir dire questions?
Yes_X_No___
If YES, when should such questions be submitted?
Calendar call.
What are your peremptory challenge procedures?
Voir Dire whole panel; alternating strikes, back-striking permissible.
In multiple party cases, do you grant each party three peremptory challenges?
Yes___No_X_
If NO, do you limit each side [i.e., plaintiff/defense] a total of three peremptory challenges to be shared?
Yes_X_No___
D. Opening Statement:
Do you have any standard time limits imposed upon counsel?
Yes___No_X_
If YES, what are the time limits?
Can exhibits be used in opening statements
Yes_X_No___
E. Use of Expert:
Do you conduct Daubert hearings prior to trial?
Yes_X_No___
F. Procedure For Use Of Videotapes, Trial Graphics, Depositions and Demonstrations.
Videotapes and depositions should be edited. If not agreed upon, objections should be filed by Calendar Call.
G. Procedure For Objections:
No speaking objections; side-bar conferences should be avoided.
H. Jury Procedures:
Do you permit jurors to take notes?
Yes_X_No___
Do you permit jurors to ask questions either orally (writing)?
Yes___No_X_
If YES, under what constraints and restrictions?
5. SENTENCING:
Do you allow the submission of sentencing memoranda?
Yes_X_No___
If YES, under what circumstances do you allow such submission?
As a compliment
Do you divulge the probation officer's sentencing recommendation?
Yes___No_X_
6. OTHER QUESTIONS:
What are your “pet peeves,” for the information of the lawyers appearing before you?
What, if any, other observations or suggestions do you have for members of the Bar appearing before you?
 William P. Dimitrouleas - Biographical Information
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