PART IV — ELECTRONIC FILING, SERVICE, FEES, PRIVACY, AND DOCUMENT FORM
Rule 38. Length limits and word counting
Limits
Unless the Court orders otherwise, the following limits apply:
| Filing | Word limit | Page alternative for a self-represented filer |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of appeal or cross-appeal | 1,000 | 5 |
| Jurisdictional statement | 3,500 | 15 |
| Petition for review or extraordinary writ | 4,000 | 18 |
| Opposition to petition or writ | 4,000 | 18 |
| Petition-stage reply | 1,800 | 8 |
| Principal merits brief | 9,000 | 35 |
| Merits reply brief | 4,500 | 18 |
| Combined response and cross-appeal opening brief | 13,500 | 53 |
| Combined reply and cross-appeal response | 9,000 | 35 |
| Cross-appeal reply | 4,500 | 18 |
| Petition-stage amicus brief | 2,500 | 10 |
| Merits-stage amicus brief | 5,000 | 20 |
| Motion, application, or response | 2,500 | 10 |
| Emergency application or response | 2,000 | 8 |
| Petition for rehearing | 2,000 | 8 |
| Pleading in a lawful original action | 6,000 | 25 |
| Supplemental-authority notice | 500 | 2 |
The Court sets limits by order for impeachment, attorney discipline, judicial discipline, a special-master proceeding, or an unusually complex consolidated matter.
Included text
The count includes headings, quotations, argument, footnotes, and text in images used to present argument. It excludes the cover, tables of contents and authorities, signature block, certificates, proof of service, and a documentary appendix that contains no argument.
Certificate
Counsel must certify the count produced by the word-processing system and identify that system. A self-represented filer may use the page alternative and state that choice.
No evasion
Material may not be shifted into footnotes, images, an appendix, a declaration, a proposed order, or incorporated external document to evade a limit. Incorporated argument counts as if reproduced.
Leave for excess length
A motion for excess length must be filed at least two days before the document is due, state the requested limit, explain why editing cannot reasonably cure the need, and attach the proposed document if complete. Excess length is disfavored. Filing the motion does not extend the underlying deadline.