Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • At Time of Efiling
Filings > 3 pages
- 1 copy
Hearing Request Form
- 1 copy
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Fax
Court-wideDocument Filing Requirements22 rules
Three (3) business days before trial all counsel shall supply to the court: Witness List Proposed Voir Dire questions Mark exhibit list numbered with reasonable description
if the Defendant's presence is requested, a written notice is required to Judge Morse's Primary Deputy Sheriff by delivering the request to the judge's office no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day prior to the bond hearing.
Filing a voluntary dismissal and case disposition form prior to the hearing date, a copy of which must be provided to the court.
Three (3) business days before trial or final hearing, a party shall submit to the Court: Domestic Financial Affidavit Listing of Prayers for Relief Witness List Marked Exhibit List Request to Charge, if applicable Child Support and Parenting Plan Information
will be expected to complete and consolidate the Pretrial Order required by the Uniform Superior Court Rules
A pretrial civil motion not consented to by all parties must include supporting authorities and, when it relies on unstipulated facts, supporting affidavits or citations to record evidence.
Court's wording
Rule 6. MOTIONS IN CIVIL ACTIONS Rule 6.1. Filing In civil actions every motion made prior to trial, except those consented to by all parties, when filed shall include or be accompanied by citations of supporting authorities and, where allegations of unstipulated fact are relied upon, supporting affidavits, or citations to evidentiary materials of record.
All necessary documents to conclude any case related to custody and support must be filled out and signed by both parties.
Any letter or other document must be sent to all parties or their lawyer and the letter or document must show that all parties or their lawyers have been sent a copy.
Generalized and omnibus motions will not be considered nor addressed by the Court. Any motions file above in paragraph (5) should be particularized and comply with legal standards to properly rule on the motion/notice.
Pursuant to U.S.C.R. 10.1, written proposed voir dire questions and, pursuant to U.S.C.R. 7.4, Request to Charge, and a marked Exhibits List shall be submitted to the Court three (3) business days prior to trial.
Submission of a Hearing Request Form pursuant to the instruction on the document.
ANY DOCUMENTS OR CORRESPONDENCE DELIVERED TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE OR CHAMBERS SHOULD HAVE A COVER LETTER AS TO WHAT IS REQUESTED AND COMPLETE RETURN INFORMATION, SUCH AS NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS.
Time limits set on the calendar are to be adhered to by counsel.
The resolution of your case can be greatly hampered if you fail to produce the necessary financial forms (information), Child Support worksheets and Parenting Plan information requested.
Judge Morse may require use of a modified pretrial order contemplated by the Uniform Rules for bench trials that should contain your top three (3) prayers of relief.
Judge Morse will issue a ruling in most bench trials from the bench and will direct the attorney for the prevailing party to prepare a draft of the order, send it to the opposing counsel or unrepresented party and then to the judge for his signature.
Please make sure you download and complete the Hearing Request Form.
For a motion hearing request, identify the motion type and the date it was filed.
Court's wording
Identify the type of ▪ Available only for certain • Has your case been Motion and date it was domestic actions mediated? Yes / No filed
If a civil/domestic matter, please identify the issues that need to be determined at the temporary or final hearing:
PLEASE ADD BOTH PLAINTIFF /PETITIONER, DEFENDANT/ RESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS TO THIS DOCUMENT
After indictment, the State should be prepared to present written petitions for negotiated pleas at or before the Arraignment.
A witness list would be helpful to the clerk and court reporter for spelling of witnesses’ names.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The completed hearing request form must be filed electronically.
Upon completion: 1) E-file the completed form and serve opposing party with a copy; 2) Provide a filed copy of the form to Judge Morse’s office directly and independently of e-file courtesy copies.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Upon completion
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The written notice requesting the defendant’s presence at a bond hearing must reach the judge’s office by 3:00 p.m. on the day before the hearing.
if the Defendant's presence is requested, a written notice is required to Judge Morse's Primary Deputy Sheriff by delivering the request to the judge's office no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day prior to the bond hearing.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Criminal Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
Counsel must submit the required trial materials three business days before trial.
Three (3) business days before trial all counsel shall supply to the court:
Page 1 | How do I schedule Criminal Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
Requests under Uniform Superior Court Rule 22 must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance.
In accordance with Uniform Superior Court Rule 22, all requests shall be submitted no less than twenty-four (24) hours in advance.
Page 1 | Case Assistance
The voluntary dismissal and case disposition form must be filed before the hearing date.
Filing a voluntary dismissal and case disposition form prior to the hearing date, a copy of which must be provided to the court.
Page 1 | How a case may be removed from a Show Cause Docket
The listed materials must be submitted to the court three business days before trial or a final hearing.
Three (3) business days before trial or final hearing, a party shall submit to the Court:
Page 1 | How do I schedule Family Law Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
Discovery demands, requests, motions, and the reciprocal-discovery election must be filed by and served no later than arraignment.
All demands, requests, and motions pertaining to discovery, including whether Defendant elects to participate in the reciprocal discovery set forth at O.C.G.A. §17-16-1 et seq. shall be filed and served on or before the date of the Arraignments.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
Motions in limine must be filed no later than 10 days before trial.
Any motions in limine shall be filed no later than ten (10) days prior to trial.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
The required trial submissions must be delivered to the Court three business days before trial.
Pursuant to U.S.C.R. 10.1, written proposed voir dire questions and, pursuant to U.S.C.R. 7.4, Request to Charge, and a marked Exhibits List shall be submitted to the Court three (3) business days prior to trial.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
The specified particularized motions and notices must be filed before the date designated in the order, but the date is left blank.
All particularized motions and/or notices, including but not limited to: motions to suppress, Jackson-Denno motions, notice to raise issues of insanity or mental illness, special and/or general demurrers, claims of immunity, intent to use child hearsay, and notices of evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts [404, 412, 413, and 414] shall be filed before _______________________________________.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
Responding parties are strongly encouraged to file motions to dismiss before the hearing date.
Motions to Dismiss from responding parties are strongly preferred before the date of the hearing, as to do so may avoid the necessity of a hearing.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Civil Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The attorney or unrepresented party must serve the judge with a copy of matters submitted for consideration or the judge will not issue a ruling.
IMPORTANCE HIGH! Want a Ruling? Serve the Judge With the conversion to e-filing in most civil matters, it is important to remember that unless the judge is served a copy of a motion, proposed order, response, request, notice, etc., BY THE ATTORNEY OR UNREPRESENTED PARTY, no ruling will be forthcoming.
Page 1 | Want a Ruling? Serve the Judge
A letter or document to the judge must be sent to all parties or their lawyers and show that a copy was sent to them.
Any letter or other document must be sent to all parties or their lawyer and the letter or document must show that all parties or their lawyers have been sent a copy.
Page 1 | Ex parte (one-sided) Communications
When e-filing, the attorney or party must notify opposing parties and the assigned judge and staff within 24 hours.
Pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 6.1 when utilizing the e-filing system, the attorney or party shall notify the opposing parties and the assigned Judge, including their staff no later than 24-hours after e-filing.
Page 1 | Chief Judge John E. Morse, Jr.
The certificate states that all parties of record were served with a copy of the voluntary dismissal.
I do hereby certify that I have this day served all parties of record in the instant matter with a copy of the enclosed Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice via as follows:
Page 2 | CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The opposing party must be served with a copy of the completed hearing request form.
Upon completion: 1) E-file the completed form and serve opposing party with a copy; 2) Provide a filed copy of the form to Judge Morse’s office directly and independently of e-file courtesy copies.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Upon completion
Discovery demands, requests, motions, and the reciprocal-discovery election must be served no later than arraignment.
All demands, requests, and motions pertaining to discovery, including whether Defendant elects to participate in the reciprocal discovery set forth at O.C.G.A. §17-16-1 et seq. shall be filed and served on or before the date of the Arraignments.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
When the Defendant obtains new counsel, the original attorney must provide the new attorney with all discovery previously served on the original attorney.
If Defendant procures new counsel, it shall be the duty of the original attorney for Defendant to provide all discovery served upon him/her to the new attorney.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
If the Defendant elects reciprocal discovery, the State must serve its discovery materials on defense counsel within 20 days after arraignment unless counsel file a written consent agreement to a different schedule.
Unless otherwise ordered below, if the Defendant elects to participate in reciprocal discovery, the State shall serve all discovery materials upon Counsel for the Defendant no later than twenty (20) days after the Arraignment, unless counsel enter into a written consent agreement, filed of record, to deviate from this schedule.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
A motion hearing date will not be assigned until the motion or notice is filed and tangibly served on the Court.
No motion hearing date will be assigned until the motion/notice is filed and tangibly served upon the Court.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
If the Defendant elects reciprocal discovery, the Defendant must serve discovery within 20 days after the State serves its discovery and no later than 10 days before trial, unless counsel file a written consent agreement to a different schedule.
Unless otherwise ordered below, if the Defendant elects to participate in reciprocal discovery, the Defendant shall serve all discovery materials upon the State no later than twenty (20) days after service of the State's discovery, but in no event later than ten days prior to trial, unless counsel enter into a written consent agreement, filed of record, to deviate from this schedule.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
Both parties may supplement discovery and must do so at least 10 days before the Trial Docket Call.
Both the State and Defendant shall have the right to supplement discovery and shall do so at least ten days prior to the Trial Docket Call.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER
The Petitioning party should assure service is perfected upon the responding party.
The Petitioning party should assure service is perfected upon the responding party.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Civil Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
The court must notify all parties and hold a hearing if there is an objection.
The Court shall provide notice to all parties and shall conduct a hearing in the event of any objection.
Page 1 | Case Assistance
The draft order must be sent to opposing counsel or the unrepresented party before it is submitted to the judge for signature.
Judge Morse will issue a ruling in most bench trials from the bench and will direct the attorney for the prevailing party to prepare a draft of the order, send it to the opposing counsel or unrepresented party and then to the judge for his signature.
Page 1 | When can I expect a ruling on my case?
The judge’s office emails copies of all orders to all parties or their counsel of record upon filing.
The judge's office sends out copies of all orders upon filing to all parties or their counsel of record via email.
Page 1 | When can I expect a ruling on my case?
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Attorneys seeking a ruling or hearing date must provide the assigned judge’s staff a hard copy of motions, proposed orders, and responses longer than three pages, including exhibits.
In lieu of providing a hard copy of motions, proposed order, and responses to the clerk's office as outlined in USCR 6.1, attorneys practicing in the Eastern Judicial Circuit shall provide a hard copy of their motions, proposed order, and responses directly to the assigned Judge's staff, specifically where a ruling or hearing date is being sought and the document is greater than three pages in length, including exhibits.
Page 1 | Chief Judge John E. Morse, Jr.
At e-filing, the attorney must select Courtesy Copy and enter the assigned staff attorney’s email address, and deliver one hard copy of the motion and proposed order.
It is the duty of the attorney to submit the motion, dismissal or other matter to the judge by doing so at the time of e-filing by selecting Courtesy Copy and entering the email address of the staff attorney assigned to the judge AND by delivering only one hard copy of the motion AND PROPOSED ORDER
Page 1 | Want a Ruling? Serve the Judge
Upon completion, e-file the hearing request form, serve the opposing party with a copy, and provide a filed copy directly to Judge Morse’s office.
Upon completion: 1) E-file the completed form and serve opposing party with a copy; 2) Provide a filed copy of the form to Judge Morse’s office directly and independently of e-file courtesy copies.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Upon completion
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must comply with the Standing Order’s mediation requirement before requesting a pretrial conference or final hearing.
Parties are responsible for complying with this Standing Order before requesting a pretrial conference or final hearing.
Page 1 | Important notices before proceeding with a hearing by Judge Morse
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A case may not be continued or removed from the calendar without the judge’s approval or a judicial order.
Additionally, a case cannot be continued or removed off the calendar without the approval from the judge or a judicial order.
Page 1 | PROCEDURES TO PROMOTE JUDICIAL ECONOMY ON COURT HEARING DAYS
If a hearing will last more than three hours for both parties, additional time must be separately requested and granted before scheduling.
If your hearing will last more than 3 hours for both parties, you must separately request additional time and it granted before it will be scheduled.
Civil cases
Page 1 | HEARING REQUEST FORM
Chambers Communication Rules
Do not contact Judge Morse by telephone for legal advice or discussion of the merits, and do not ask staff to relay messages about the merits.
Please do not expect to be able to speak with Judge Morse on the telephone for legal advice or on the merits of your case as that would be considered an ex parte communication. Judge Morse's staff will not relay messages to him about the merits of a case as that also would be considered improper under the rules of ethics.
Page 1 | Legal Advice and Assistance
Any appearance method other than appearing in court must be arranged and approved by the court before the hearing.
Arrangements for appearance by any other method other than in-court appearance must be arranged and approved by the Court prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Civil Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
Attorneys in the Eastern Judicial Circuit must notify the judge and staff immediately when a civil action settles or is dismissed.
Additionally, pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.10, all attorneys practicing in the Eastern Judicial Circuit shall notify the Judge and their staff immediately upon the settlement or dismissal of any civil actions.
Page 1 | Chief Judge John E. Morse, Jr.
Ex parte communication is limited to rare circumstances such as family violence or emergency child-custody matters; otherwise, all parties must be present when addressing the judge.
Under very rare circumstances, a judge may speak with a party on one side of a case without the other present; for instance in family violence matters and in emergency situations involving child custody. In all other instances, all parties must be present to address the judge.
Page 1 | Ex parte (one-sided) Communications
Attorneys must notify the judge when a case is dismissed.
Furthermore, USCR 4.10 requires the attorney to notify the judge of dismissals.
Page 1 | Want a Ruling? Serve the Judge
To request a jury trial, send a letter to the judge and complete and consolidate the required Pretrial Order after receiving notice of a pretrial hearing.
Jury Trials Request by letter to the judge. You will receive (letter indicating a request was made for a trial) notice of a pretrial hearing and will be expected to complete and consolidate the Pretrial Order required by the Uniform Superior Court Rules
Page 1 | How do I schedule Civil Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
For motions without a hearing required by law or court rule, request an oral hearing by letter explaining why one should be held; such hearings are not routinely granted.
Please note that Judge Morse does not routinely grant hearings on motions other than where a hearing must be granted by law or court rule , e.g., motions for summary judgment. With respect to any other motions, write a letter to the judge explaining why you believe an oral hearing should be held.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Civil Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
Notify the judge’s secretary about special requests, including requests for parties to attend or anticipated large attorney participation.
Please notify the judge's secretary if you have any special requests such as a request that parties be present or if you anticipate a large number of attorneys to be involved.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Civil Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
A bench trial must be requested by letter to the judge, stating the expected total duration.
Request by letter to the judge indicating how long the entire expected bench trial will take ie: ½ day, day, hours.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Civil Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
A request for a court reporter in a civil or family law case must be made to the Office of the Court Reporter before the day of the hearing.
The request must be made to the Office of the Court Reporter, 912-652-7168, prior to the day of the hearing.
Page 1 | Important notices before proceeding with a hearing by Judge Morse
Bench or jury trials in family law cases must be requested in writing to the judge; a letter is sufficient.
These proceedings must be requested in writing to the Judge. A letter will be sufficient.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Family Law Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
Only counsel should attend status conferences unless counsel wants the defendant present; counsel must notify the Case Manager or Primary Deputy if the defendant is incarcerated and will attend.
Only counsel shall attend Status Conferences, unless counsel desires to have the Defendant present. If so, and the Defendant is incarcerated, then counsel must notify the Case Manager or the Court's Primary Deputy
Page 1 | How do I schedule Criminal Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
The defendant must notify Case Management in writing through counsel of any address change and also notify the bonding company.
It is the Defendant's obligation and responsibility to notify Case Management in writing, through his or her attorney, of any change of address and to notify his or her bonding company.
Page 1 | Important Information about Notice of Hearings
A motion hearing may be requested by letter or by a pleading requesting oral argument.
Request by letter or by pleading in the form of a request for oral argument.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Civil Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
If there is confusion about the court’s in-person dockets, contact the assigned judge’s staff.
If there is any confusion please contact the assigned Judge's staff.
Page 1 | Chief Judge John E. Morse, Jr.
For assistance or information about a pending civil case, contact Administrative Assistant Jessica Easley at 912-652-7236 and have the Civil Action Number available.
If you require assistance or information regarding a pending civil case assigned to Judge Morse, please contact his Administrative Assistant, Jessica Easley at 912-652-7236. Please have your Civil Action Number available when making any inquiry to the Court.
Page 1 | Civil Cases
Direct questions about criminal-case scheduling to Case Manager Stephanie Smalls at 912-652-3063.
All questions about scheduling criminal cases should be directed to Judge Morse's case manager, Stephanie Smalls, at 912-652-3063.
Page 1 | How do I schedule Criminal Cases to be heard by Judge Morse?
For assistance or information about a pending criminal case assigned to Judge Morse, contact Criminal Case Manager Stephanie Smalls at 912-652-3063.
If you require assistance or information regarding a pending criminal case assigned to Judge Morse, please contact his Criminal Case Manager, Stephanie Smalls at 912-652-3063.
Page 1 | Criminal Cases
A copy of the filed form may be emailed to Judge Morse’s office at the stated address using the specified subject line.
You may email a copy of your filed form to morsecivildomestic@chathamcounty.org with the subject line HEARING REQUEST FORM.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Upon completion