a. Pleas and Sentencing

The Court will occasionally accept a nolo contendere plea over the Government's objection. Unless both the Government and defendant agree to waive it, the Court requires a pre-sentence investigation and report prior to sentencing. Disputes between counsel relating to the computation of sentencing guidelines are generally resolved by a hearing prior to sentencing.

b. Trials

The Court does not require submission of trial briefs in criminal trials. The Government is required to file a witness list, however, so that the witnesses may be disclosed to the jury during voir dire. Counsel are expected to review the Court's boilerplate jury instructions and to confer in an attempt to agree upon any additional proposed instructions before involving the Court in any dispute.