Judge Marshell Jackson Hatcher

Anyone requesting and receiving permission to cover a hearing, event, or trial must agree to follow the Plan.

Applies to

Media coverage request

The written media-coverage request must identify the particular case and hearing or event for which coverage is requested.

Applies to

Written media coverage consent

Written consent from parties and attorneys may be obtained using the form provided by and filed with the Clerk of the Court.

Anyone seeking media coverage must submit a written request to the presiding Judge at least five days before the hearing, trial, or event.

Each defendant must respond to the complaint by filing an answer or motion within 30 days after service.

If the defendant has not filed an answer or other appropriate pleading within 40 days after service, the plaintiff’s notice gives the plaintiff 30 days to apply for default judgment or the case will be dismissed.

During a trial where testimony is taken, a party, witness, attorney, or the Judge may notify the Court to request cessation of coverage, and the Court may require recording and broadcasting to stop.

If the attorney is unsuccessful in resolving the conflict by motion, he or she shall forthwith consult the judges involved in the conflicting cases, notifying them of the efforts he or she has made to resolve the conflict and of the fact that those efforts have been unsuccessful.

If the judges involved cannot resolve the conflict, either attorney may request resolution by a judge or panel appointed by the chief justice.

The process server must deliver the process and accompanying documents within 30 days after filing or return them and copies to the clerk.

If service is not timely, the clerk will notify plaintiff’s counsel approximately 45 days after filing, giving the attorney 75 days to perfect service or the defendant will be dismissed.

The judge may set a service deadline by order, which supersedes any deadline in the clerk’s notice.