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Judge

Andrea C. Peeples

ELECTED 2005

 
 

BIO

Judge Peeples received her Bachelors of Arts degree from Miami University and her Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University. Before being elected, she served as legal counsel in the Franklin County Public Defender's Office, the Columbus City Attorney's Office, the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office, and finally in the Columbus City Attorney's Civil Division. She has trial experience in municipal, common pleas, juvenile, and federal court.

Judge Peeples was elected as a Franklin County Municipal Court Judge in 2005 and re-elected in 2011 and 2017. She has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Interpreters Services for two terms by the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court and served as a Delegate to the National Center for State Courts on the issues of Language Access in the Courts. For the past two years Judge Peeples has been on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee for Domestic Violence.

In addition to teaching Technology in the Courts, she has taught courses on Evidence Collection in Domestic Violence Cases; Law Enforcement Officers as Drug Recognition Experts; Advanced Standardized Field Sobriety Test OVI Course; Opiate Summit; Practical Court Applications in Interpreter Services along with the Supreme Court New Interpreters Court Procedure - Roles and the Record; Ohio Association of Court Administrators – Taking a Look at Sovereign Citizens; Know Your Rights and Immigration Updates. Judge Peeples was also a guest lecturer twice for the Moritz American Law and Language Summer Program and was on the Judicial Panel for Legal Aid New Lawyer Training.

Decorum

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Judge Peeples will have in-person court hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Proper courtroom etiquette must be observed. Cell phones and wireless devices must remain off while in the courtroom, unless necessary for court proceedings. 

Continuances

Continuances and extensions will be granted if reasonably possible with the understanding that all cases should be resolved within the time frames and guidelines of the Rules of Superintendence. Requests for continuances must be presented to the Court a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the court date. Opposing parties must be contacted regarding requests.

Motions & Briefs

Motions must be submitted timely and served on opposing parties. Motions may be ruled on without oral hearing. All motions must be submitted to the Court at least five (5) business days before trial date. Judge Peeples does not require extra copies.

Other

Considering the number of cases that come through the courtroom on a daily basis, it is important that the parties, attorneys, and other persons involved with the case are willing to discuss matters with a goal of efficient resolution or termination of the case.

General

Pretrial hearings are scheduled in all civil cases by the Assignment Office and any additional pretrial hearings are scheduled by the Court.

Pretrial/Status Conferences

Pretrial conferences are scheduled in all civil cases for discussion of the case, discovery, and complex issues. Civil counsel for the parties should have authority to act on behalf of their clients as it is not necessary that the actual litigants be present at the pretrial hearing but should be available by telephone for consultations. Counsel are required to confer before the hearing pursuant to Local Court Rule 6.01 and to make a sincere effort to settle the case and to agree on evidentiary matters about which there is no genuine dispute. During Covid-19, The Court conducts all pretrials by telephone unless the party/parties is/are pro se and do not have current contact information. In such case(s), appearance is required by all parties. The Plaintiff in the case(s) is required to initiate a conference call with opposing counsel and the Court at the designated pretrial hearing time. Pretrial statements must be provided according to Local Court Rule 6.01 at all second pretrial hearings. Parties are only required to appear in court for a hearing or trial. Trial notebooks must be exchanged in accordance with pretrial memorandum for civil cases and should be submitted to the Court ten (10) days before the trial date.

Status Conferences are held only on request or if the Court feels it is needed. Parties should be prepared to discuss preliminary matters including but not limited to discovery issues, preliminary motions, etc. Status conferences may be held by phone or Zoom if parties agree or the Court requests.

Other

If a resolution has been reached by the parties, prior to the court date, Plaintiff’s counsel is to notify the bailiff by email/fax of the resolution prior to the court date.

Discovery

The attorneys are to meet prior to court to discuss the cases and if they need guidance after following the rules, the Judge will be available.

Pretrial/Status Conferences

Personal appearance of a Defendant may be waived if arrangements are made in advance. Counsel should be prepared to discuss their case with the prosecutor and attempt to terminate the matter at the pretrial conference if at all possible.

Other

The Judge will consider all recommendations concerning plea arrangements that involve sentencing. Nolo Contendere pleas (defendant does not admit guilt but does not contest criminal charges) or Alford pleas (defendant enters a plea of guilty but maintains innocence) are allowed. During Covid-19 the Court will allow pleas in absentia that do not violate Marsy’s Law requirements.

​Counsel is strongly discouraged from interrupting court with off docket matters during regular court hours. Alternatively, counsel may contact the court in writing without pulling the court file. Opposing parties must be contacted prior to approaching the Court. The Court will only entertain motions for bond modification in writing with notice to the opposing party or on the record, in open court with notice to the opposing party.

General

The courtroom is an environment where all shall be treated in a respectful and courteous manner, ensuring to all parties that justice is being served. Counsel should ask permission to approach a witness. Judge Peeples has no attire requirements or prohibitions except no sunglasses or hats (religious headwear are exempt). Cell phones and wireless devices must remain off while in the courtroom, unless necessary for court proceedings.

Dates

Continuances will be granted when requested if it is within the rule, at least one (1) week prior to trial. Opposing parties must be contacted regarding requests.

Jury Procedures

The Court will conduct preliminary questions and then counsel conducts voir dire. Peremptory challenge procedures are by the rules. The Court generally seats two alternates in addition to the sworn jurors. All questioning during voir dire is limited to the seated jurors and not the entire pool. Jurors are permitted to inspect exhibits at trial and in the jury room. The jury is instructed by the Judge. Counsel is permitted to talk with jurors after the verdict is read.

Other

Exhibits should be marked ahead of time with copies available for the Court and the parties. The originals maintained by the court reporter. Qualifications of experts should be confirmed in accordance with the law and the rules.

Contact Information