Decorum

The courtroom is a place in which everyone will be treated in a respectful and courteous manner as to provide an environment where all parties feel justice is being served. Litigants, counsel for the parties, and witnesses must be respectful to one another and to all parties in the courtroom. Examinations need not be conducted at the lectern. Counsel should ask permission to approach a witness. Cell phones and wireless devices must be on silent while in the courtroom. Food, drinks, sunglasses, and hats (religious headwear are exempt) are not allowed in the courtroom.

The Court will treat all with dignity and respect and expects the same from anyone else whom is conducting business in 15D. 

Continuances

Reasonable continuance requests will receive fair consideration. Please make requests as fare ahead as possible and contact the opposing party before contacting the Court. The Court will respond to all requests as promptly and as courteously as possible.

Motions & Briefs

Motions are to be submitted timely with a proposed Entry and served on opposing parties. Briefs are required to support the written motion. Motions may be ruled on without oral hearings, unless requested. All motions are to be submitted to the Court at least five (5) days before trial date. It is the practice that all motion hearings, in any case that one is requested, will be conducted in a liberal and relaxed manner with extensions granted for good cause. Please ensure that the Court receives and motions or briefs.

Other

The use of an audio or video recording system inside the courtroom is not permitted except as may be authorized by the Court in advance of a hearing. Outside of needed court functions, conversations should be conducted in the hallway not the courtroom.

General

For most civil cases, the Court will refer the case for mediation shortly after it is assigned. If mediation is unsuccessful, the case will be set for pretrial. Additional pretrials may be scheduled by the Court if necessary.

Motions & Briefs

Motions are to be submitted timely with a proposed Entry and served on opposing parties. Motions may be ruled on without oral hearing unless requested by the parties. All motions will be reviewed and decided in a timely manner. Continuances will be granted for good cause.

Pretrial/Status Conferences

Civil counsel for the parties should have authority to act on behalf of their clients. Counsel are required to confer before the hearing and make a sincere effort to settle the case. Requests for telephone pretrials should be agreed on by all parties and will be granted.

Other

If parties feel that a settlement conference would help resolve the case, the Judge is more than willing to sit down with the parties or their counsel and try to effectuate a settlement.

General

The Court encourages the prosecutor to meet with the attorneys to discuss the cases and if guidance is needed, to then meet with the Judge.

Pretrial/Status Conferences

Criminal defendants must be present at all pretrial hearings unless a non-appearance is approved by the Court. Zoom hearings are available and can be arranged through the Bailiff. 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.

Discovery

Discovery must be requested prior to the pretrial date via the Columbus City Attorney's Matrix application. Contact the courtroom prosecutor directly to discuss any issues with discovery. 

Other

The Court will only entertain motions for bond modification on the record in open court with notice to the prosecutor. Hearing dates for motions will not be scheduled until a motion is filed. 

General

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

The Judge expects to treat everyone in a respectful and courteous manner in order to make the courtroom a place where all parties feel justice is being served. The only request is that the litigants, counsel for the parties, and the witnesses be respectful to one another and to the other parties in the courtroom. Examinations need not be conducted at the lectern. Counsel should ask permission to approach a witness. There are no attire requirements or prohibitions except no hats, sunglasses, head bands, or cell phones.

Jury Procedures

The Court conducts voir dire with the assistance of the parties. Peremptory challenge procedures are by the rules. The Court will not require that jury instructions be submitted by the parties. If however, proposed jury instructions are requested, they are to be submitted no later than the first day of trial. Jurors are permitted to inspect exhibits at trial and in the jury room. The Court generally seats two alternates in addition to the sworn jurors. The Court may limit the time devoted to opening statements or to closing statements. The jury is instructed by the Judge.