E.D. Tex. Local Rule CR-47

(a) Form and Content of a Motion. All motions and responses to motions, unless made during a hearing or trial, shall be in writing, conform to the requirements of Local Rules CV-5 and CV-10, and be accompanied by a separate proposed order for the judge’s signature. The proposed order shall be endorsed with the style and cause number and shall not include a date or signature block. Dispositive motions—those which could, if granted, result in the dismissal of an indictment or counts therein or the exclusion of evidence—shall contain a statement of the issues to be decided by the court. Responses to dispositive motions must include a response to the movant’s statement of issues. All motions, responses, replies, and proposed orders, if filed electronically, shall be submitted in “searchable PDF” format. All other documents, including attachments and exhibits, should be in “searchable PDF” form whenever possible.

(1) Page Limits.

(A) Dispositive Motions. Dispositive motions shall not exceed thirty pages, excluding attachments, unless leave of court is first obtained. Likewise,responses to such motions shall not exceed thirty pages, excluding attachments, unless leave of court is first obtained. Any reply brief shall not exceed ten pages, excluding attachments.

(B) Non-dispositive Motions. Non-dispositive motions shall not exceed fifteen pages, excluding attachments, unless leave of court is first obtained.Likewise, responses to such motions shall not exceed fifteen pages, excluding attachments, unless leave of court is first obtained. Any reply brief shall not exceed five pages, excluding attachments.

(2) Briefing Supporting Motions and Responses. The motion and any briefing shall be contained in one document. The briefing shall contain a concise statement of the reasons in support of the motion and citation of authorities upon which the movant relies. Likewise, the response and any briefing shall be contained in one document. Such briefing shall contain a concise statement of the reasons in opposition to the motion and a citation of authorities upon which the party relies.

(3) Certificates of Conference. Except as specified below, all motions must be accompanied by a “certificate of conference.” It should be placed at the end of themotion following the certificate of service. The certificate must state: (1) that counsel has conferred with opposing counsel in a good faith attempt to resolve thematter without court intervention; and (2) whether the motion is opposed or unopposed. Motions for continuance should also state whether the motion is opposed by any co-defendant or certify counsel’s inability to obtain the position of a particular co-defendant despite a good faith attempt to do so. Certificates of conference are not required of pro se litigants (prisoner or non-prisoner) or for the following motions:

(A) motions to dismiss;

(B) motions for judgment of acquittal;

(C) motions to suppress;

(D) motions for new trial;

(E) any motion permitted to be filed ex parte;

(F) objections to report and recommendations of magistrate judges;

(G) motions for reconsideration;

(H) dispositive motions; and

(I) any motion related to enforcement of a debt, including relief under the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act, 28 U.S.C. § 3101, et seq. and the All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651.

(b) Timing of a Motion.

(1) Responses. A party opposing a motion has fourteen days from the date the motion was served in which to serve and file a response and any supporting documents, after which the court will consider the submitted motion for decision. Any party may separately move for a court order lengthening or shortening the period within which a response may be filed.

(2) Reply Briefs and Sur-Replies. Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, a party who has filed an opposed motion may serve and file a reply brief responding to issues raised in the response within seven days from the date the response is served. A sur-reply responding to issues raised in the reply may be served and filed within seven days from the date the reply is served. The court need not wait for the reply or sur-reply before ruling on the motion. Absent leave of court, no further submissions on the motion are allowed.

(c) Affidavit Supporting a Motion. When allegations of fact not appearing in the record are relied upon in support of a motion, all affidavits and other pertinent documents shall be served and filed with the motion. It is strongly recommended that any attached materials have the cited portions highlighted or underlined in the copy provided to the court, unless the citation encompasses the entire page. The page preceding and following a highlighted or underlined page may be submitted if necessary to place the highlighted or underlined material in context. Only relevant, cited-to excerpts of attached materials should be attached to the motion or the response.