Why Start with a Guide?
Court filings usually involve putting together multiple components, each of which must be properly formatted and filed by the correct deadline.
For example, to file a motion, you might need to assemble:
- The motion itself
- A supporting memorandum of points and authorities
- Supporting factual documents
- A proposed order granting the motion
- Notice of the motion for the opposing party
- Proof of service showing you gave notice to the opposing party
Guides can help you put together the right components, in the right format, by the correct deadline.
Multi-jurisdictional Guides
- Appeals and Writs in Criminal CasesCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1174 .F5 2007Guidance on preparing appeals briefs in California state court and writs and petitions in California state and federal courts. All forms are listed at the end under "Table of Forms."
- LaFave on Criminal ProcedureCall Number: Main stacks KF9619 .L34 2007Publication Date: Last updated 2015 in print; Current on WestlawComprehensive guide, arranged chronologically from arrest through appeal. Guidance on drafting pleadings and motions but not forms.
- Motion PracticeCall Number: OnlineGuidance on drafting civil motions before, during, and after trial.
California Civil Procedure Guides- General
- California Civil PracticeCall Number: OnlineComprehensive guide, arranged chronologically from preliminary planning through appeal. Guidance on drafting pleadings, motions, and appellate briefs, including sample forms.
- California Civil Writ PracticeCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1075 .C342 1996Guidance on drafting writs in California superior, appellate, and Supreme courts.
- Obtaining a Writ of Attachment: Here's How and When to Do ItCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1066.Z9 O28 2014Basic guide to attaching property in California civil litigation. Includes a small number of sample California judicial council forms in an appendix.
- Witkin on California ProcedureCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC995 .W52 2008Publication Date: Updated regularlyComprehensive guide, arranged chronologically from establishing an attorney-client relationship through appeal. Guidance on drafting pleadings, motions, and appellate briefs.
- Younger on California MotionsCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1012 .Y68 2016-17Guidance on drafting civil motions before and during trial.
- Meeting Statutory Deadlines: During and After Litigation (Action Guide)Call Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC995 .D43 2017
California Civil Procedure Guides- Pre-Trial
- California Civil Procedure Before TrialCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC995 .C34 2004Guidance on drafting client communications, pleadings, and pre-trial motions. Includes extensive forms, listed at the end under "Table of Forms."
- Handling Service of ProcessCall Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC1003.Z9 H36 2016Guidance on providing service and proof of service. Print only CEB guide.
- Making and Opposing Special Motions to Strike Under the California Anti-SLAPP StatuteCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1012 .D46 2014Basic guide to anti-SLAPP motions. Print only CEB guide.
- Matthew Bender Practice Guide: California Pretrial Civil ProcedureCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1020 .M384 2003Guidance on drafting client communications, pleadings, pre-trial motions, and settlements.
- Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group, California Practice Guide)Call Number: Reference KFC995 .W4 1983Guidance on meeting with clients and drafting pleadings, pre-trial motions, and settlements.
- California Judges Benchbook: Civil Proceedings— Before TrialCall Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC1020 .C38 2008Guidance for judges on pre-trial civil procedure by the California Center for Judicial Education & Research.
- California Motions in Limine (The Rutter Group, Civil Litigation Series)Call Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1030 .F56 2008Motions in limine (motions to suppress or admit evidence) arranged by topic.
- Civil Procedure Before Trial: Statutes of Limitations (The Rutter Group, California Practice Guide)Call Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC1020 .R95 2007
California Civil Procedure Guides- Trials
- California Trial GuideCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1025.A6 C3 1986Guidance on filing motions before, during, and after trial and on preparing jury instructions and deposition questions.
- Civil Procedure During TrialCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1025 .C349 1995Guidance on filing motions during and after trial and on preparing jury instructions.
- Civil Trials & Evidence (The Rutter Group, California Practice Guide) byCall Number: Reference KFC1025 .C349 1995Guidance on filing motions during and after trial and on preparing jury instructions.
- California Judges Benchbook: Civil Proceedings - TrialCall Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC1020 .C39Guidance for judges on civil procedure during trial by the California Center for Judicial Education & Research.
- California ObjectionsCall Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC1030 .B392
- Persuasive Opening Statements and Closing ArgumentsCall Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC1025.A15 P47
- Preparing for Trial: Here's How and When to Do ItCall Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC1020.Z9 P73
California Civil Procedure Guides- Appeals
- California Civil Appellate PracticeCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1075 .C3 1996Guidance on drafting post-trial and appellate motions, appellate briefs, and settlements on appeal.
- Civil Appeals & Writs (The Rutter Group, California Practice Guide)Call Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC995 .E38 1989Guidance on drafting and filing pleadings and motions on appeal.
- California Judges Benchbook: Civil Proceedings - After TrialCall Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC1020 .C395Guidance for judges on civil procedure after trial by the California Center for Judicial Education & Research.
- Handling Civil Appeals (Action Guide)Call Number: 2nd Floor/California Collection KFC995.Z9 H36
California Criminal Procedure Guides
- California Criminal Defense Practice byCall Number: 2nd floor/Cal Current KFC1155.C342 1982Comprehensive guide, arranged chronologically from arrest through post-trial remedies, with discussion of juvenile cases and specific crimes at the end. Provides guidance on drafting and filing motions and pleadings, but not forms.
- California Criminal Law Forms Manual byCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1155.A65 C34 2005Publication Date: 2005-09-01
- California Criminal Law Procedure and Practice byCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1155 .C3424 2008Comprehensive guide, arranged chronologically from client referrals through parole. Special situations (such as noncitizen defendants, juvenile defendants, and asset forfeiture) are discussed at the end. All associated forms are included in the separate Criminal Law Forms Manual.
- California Criminal Procedure (Rutter) byCall Number: 2nd floor/California collection KFC1155 .L49 2011Comprehensive guide, arranged chronologically from establishing an attorney-client relationship through appeal through post-conviction issues. Provides guidance on drafting and filing motions and pleadings, but not forms.
Federal Procedure Guides- Civil and Criminal Procedure
- Cyclopedia of Federal ProcedureCall Number: Main stacks KF8840 .C93Publication Date: Last updated 2015 in print; Current on WestlawGeneral guidance on drafting pleadings and motions, with research references to relevant forms. Covers federal civil and criminal procedure, arranged chronologically and by specific issue.
- Federal Practice and Procedure byCall Number: Main Stacks KF9619.W7Detailed guidance on drafting pleadings and motions. Covers federal civil and criminal procedure, organized by relevant court rules.
- Moore's Federal Practice- Civil byCall Number: Main Stacks KF8820.A313 M632Guidance on drafting pleadings and motions. Covers federal civil procedure, organized by relevant court rules.
- Moore's Federal Practice- Criminal byCall Number: Main Stacks KF8820.A313 M632Guidance on drafting pleadings and motions. Covers federal criminal procedure, organized by relevant court rules.
- Federal Appeals: Jurisdiction and Practice byCall Number: Main Stacks KF9050.T54 1999
- Federal Standards of Review byCall Number: Main Stacks KF9050.C48 2010
- Supreme Court Practice byCall Number: OnlineDetailed guidance on drafting briefs, petitions, and motions for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Court websites also provide guidance on procedure:
- Ninth Circuit FAQsThe Ninth Circuit's official website addresses common questions about the format of filings.
- Ninth Circuit Guides and Legal OutlinesThe Ninth Circuit's official website offers free guides to filing appeals.
Federal Procedure Guides- Civil Procedure Only
- Federal Civil Trials And Evidence (Rutter Group) byCall Number: Reference KF8935 .J64 1999Guidance on drafting motions during and post-trial and on preparing jury instructions.
- Federal Trial GuideCall Number: OnlineGuidance on drafting pleadings, motions, discovery, and closing arguments.
- Matthew Bender Practice Guide: Federal Pretrial Civil Procedure in CaliforniaCall Number: Main stacks KF8900 .M376 2004Guidance on drafting pleadings and pre-trial motions for California federal courts.
- Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial, California & Ninth Circuit Edition (The Rutter Group, California Practice Guide)Call Number: Reference KF8900 .S38 1989Guidance on drafting pleadings and pre-trial motions for California federal courts. The library owns the California & Ninth Circuit edition, and Westlaw offers both the California & Ninth Circuit Edition and a national edition.
- Ninth Circuit Civil Appellate Practice (The Rutter Group Practice Guide)Call Number: Main stacks KF9054 9th .N4 1994Guidance on drafting appellate briefs and motions in the Ninth Circuit.
- Sinclair on Federal Civil Practice byCall Number: OnlineGuidance on drafting federal civil pleadings, motions, and briefs.
- Federal Civil Procedure Litigation ManualCall Number: Main stacks KF8816 .S83 2016-17Guidance on drafting pleadings, motions, discovery requests, and jury instructions for federal courts.