Opinion ID: 3202038
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Trial Time Limits

Text: Ma alleges that the district court prejudiced her by inflexibly enforcing time limits at trial. District courts enjoy broad discretion in placing limits on the presentation of evidence, and we disturb such decisions only for an abuse of discretion. See Sutkiewicz v. Monroe Cty. Sheriff, 110 F.3d 352, 361 (6th Cir. 1997). Ma fails to demonstrate that the court abused its discretion in scheduling each side eleven hours of trial time. Though it permitted but modest extensions for cross-examination, the court noted that excessive and duplicative evidence spurred its adherence to the allotted time. See Fed. R. Evid. 403, 611(a). “[A] judge has special latitude in applying time limits in a bench trial, since the court often has become familiar with the case long before trial begins and can readily comprehend the evidence presented.” McClain v. Lufkin Indus., Inc., 519 F.3d 264, 282 (5th Cir. 2008) (citing Sims v. ANR Freight Sys., Inc., 77 F.3d 846, 849 (5th Cir. 1996)).