Judge Kelly Lee Ellerbe
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Additional Filings
All Motions
- Email • Same Day As Filing
Bond Motion
Filings > 45 pages
Adjournments
- Discovery extension requests must be filed by written motion by the Discovery Date deadline and include a detailed fact-based explanation, the time needed, and a proposed order.
- Requests to extend discovery for outstanding forensic testing must be filed PRIOR TO the Discovery Date deadline.
- The Final Plea Date will not be reset unless good cause is shown and the Court enters an express order.
- +10 more
Request must include
- A party must request a continuance or status conference in writing at least 7 days before the Final Plea and Trial Date, absent good cause.
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Page & Word Limits5 rules
Responses to discovery motions are limited to 10 pages.
Responses to the discovery motion shall be filed withinne (1) week of the filing of the discovery motion and shall be limited to no more than ten (10) pages, double spaced, with a size twelve (12) or larger font.
Opposition
10 pages
Discovery motions are limited to 10 pages.
The discovery motion shall be limited to no more than ten (10) pages, double spaced, with a size twelve (12) or larger font.
Discovery Motion
10 pages
Briefs and responsive briefs are limited to 25 pages, excluding exhibits.
Except upon written permission of the Court, briefs and responsive briefs shall be limited to twenty-five (25) pages in length, excluding exhibits, double spaced with a size twelve (12) or larger font.
Brief
25 pages
Victim impact statements must be in writing, on point, directed to the Court, and no longer than three pages.
All victim impact statements must be in writing and on point and directed to the Court and not others. They are to be no longer than three pages in length and may be read by the victim, victim's family or representative, or the prosecutor.
Victim Impact Statement
3 pages
Requests for leniency must be in writing, on point, directed to the Court, and no longer than three pages.
Any requests for leniency must be in writing and on point and directed to the Court and not others. These requests are to be no longer than three pages in length and may be read by the defendant, the defendant's family or loved ones, or defendant's attorney.
Leniency Request
3 pages
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Discovery motions must be double spaced with a size 12 or larger font.
The discovery motion shall be limited to no more than ten (10) pages, double spaced, with a size twelve (12) or larger font.
Responses to discovery motions must be double spaced with a size 12 or larger font.
Responses to the discovery motion shall be filed withinne (1) week of the filing of the discovery motion and shall be limited to no more than ten (10) pages, double spaced, with a size twelve (12) or larger font.
Briefs and responsive briefs must be double spaced with a size 12 or larger font.
Except upon written permission of the Court, briefs and responsive briefs shall be limited to twenty-five (25) pages in length, excluding exhibits, double spaced with a size twelve (12) or larger font.
The proposed final order must be in Word format.
Prior to the hearing, counsel shall email a proposed final order to the Staff Attorney in Word format.
DOCX
All proposed orders must be submitted in WORD format with font no smaller than 12-point.
All proposed orders submitted to the Court shall be in WORD format and not smaller than 12-point font.
DOCX
Requested jury charges must be in WORD format.
Parties shall email the Staff Attorney their requested jury charges in WORD format - as described below - no later than two (2) business days prior to the beginning of the trial calendar.
Document Filing Requirements24 rules
Attorneys must provide an email address at the entry of appearance, either through the filing or by emailing the Litigation Manager.
At the entry of appearance of counsel, the attorneys are required to provide an email address through the filing or by emailing the Litigation Manager.
Document Type
Entry Of Appearance
Motions to compel discovery must be case-specific and itemize articulable instances of non-compliance; boilerplate or form motions will not be considered.
parties are directed to comply with all discovery obligations. The parties are ordered not to file boilerplate or "form" motions seeking an order compelling the generalized disclosure of discoverable materials or the general exclusion of evidence. Any such non- specific "form" motions will not be considered by the Court. Should a party need to file a motion to compel discovery, the party shall itemize the articulable and case-specific instances in which the party believes
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Motions must be sufficiently particularized, limited to a single issue, and filed separately; generalized and omnibus motions will be denied.
Only those motions sufficiently particularized as to provide legal notice to the opposing parties will be considered by the Court. Generalized and omnibus motions are not to be filed, and if filed will be denied as vague, dilatory, and in violation of this Order. Motions must specify, with particularity, the item, or statement or event at issue and must be tailored to the facts of the case at hand. Each motion shall be limited to a single issue and filed separately.
Document Type
Motion
Pattern jury charges are submitted by number only; non-pattern or modified charges require full text with supporting authority.
For un-modified pattern charges, each party is to submit ONLY the pattern charge NUMBER and not the text of the charge itself. For all non-pattern or modified pattern charges, the parties are required to submit the full text and cite the case law, statute, or other authority supporting such requested charge.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Charges
Parties must provide the Court and each opposing party an exhibit list prior to jury selection that identifies each exhibit by number and description.
Any party that intends to introduce exhibits during trial shall provide two hard copies of an exhibit list to the Court (one to the judge and one to the court reporter) and one copy to each opposing party prior to jury selection. The exhibit list should include for each exhibit both the exhibit number and a brief description of what the exhibit purports to be.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Any attorney or pro se party using AI to prepare filings must include a certification of AI use and citation verification at the end of the document before the signature block.
Any attorney or pro-se party who uses AI in any capacity to prepare, draft, or review a filing or submission to the Court shall disclose such use in the document with the following certification: This document was generated with the assistance of [identify Al tool(s) used, e.g., Chat GPT, Perplexity, Claude, etc. ]. I hereby certify under penalty ofperjury that, despite reliance on an AI tool, I have independently reviewed this document to confirm accuracy, legitimacy, and use ofgood and applicable law. I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that every citation to law, case, statute, or the record in this document has been verified as accurate and that it exists as cited and for the proposition cited. The above certification must appear at the end of the document, before the signature block.
Document Type
Filing
Boilerplate objections to discovery requests are prohibited; parties must particularize each objection.
Boilerplate objections in response to discovery requests are prohibited. Parties should not carelessly invoke a litany of rote objections, e.g., attorney-client privilege, work-product immunity, overly broad/unduly burdensome, not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, etc. Instead, parties are required to particularize their objections.
Document Type
Discovery Response
When a party objects but still responds, it must state whether the response is complete absent the objections.
A party who objects to a discovery request but then responds to the request must indicate whether the response is complete, i.e., whether additional information or documents would have been provided but for the propounded objection(s). For example, in response to an interrogatory, a party is not permitted to raise objections and then state, "Subject to these objections and without waiving them, the response is as follows..." unless the party expressly indicates whether additional information would have been included in the response but for the objection(s).
Document Type
Discovery Response
General objections and 'to the extent that' boilerplate are prohibited; each request requires specific objections.
General objections are prohibited, i.e., a party shall not include in his response to a discovery request an introductory or "General Objections" section stating that the party objects to the requests "to the extent that" they violate some rule pertaining to discovery, e.g., attorney-client privilege, work product immunity; the prohibition against discovery requests that are vague, ambiguous, overly broad, or unduly burdensome, etc. Instead, each individual discovery request must be met with specific objections that apply to that request. All general objections may be disregarded by the requesting party and the Court.
Document Type
Discovery Response
Discovery motions must include a certificate of conference.
"[a]t the time of filing the motion, counsel shall also file a statement certifying that such [pre-filing] conference [amongst affected parties or entities] has occurred and that the effort to resolve by agreement the issues raised failed."
Document Type
Discovery Motion
In jury cases, parties must email a fully consolidated pretrial order to the Staff Attorney at least one week before the trial calendar; individual portions require written certification or may result in sanctions.
a party files a jury demand in this case, or if a party anticipates wanting a trial by jury, then the parties shall submit, by email, a fully consolidated pre-trial order ("PTO") by email directly to the Judge's Staff Attorney no later than one (1) week before the trial calendar begins. No party may submit their own individual portions of the PTO to the Court without written certification detailing their good- faith efforts to present the Court with a fully consolidated order. Failure of any party to submit its portion of the PTO may result in sanctions including dismissal of their claims (or the entire case) for want of prosecution.
Document Type
Consolidated Pretrial Order
Parties relying on depositions must confer to agree on testimony; objecting parties must provide the Court a list of disputed page and line numbers with the relevant deposition text by the motions-in-limine deadline or the objection is waived.
trial calendar. If parties intend to rely on deposition testimony, that party must confer with all other parties prior to trial and attempt to agree on the testimony to be presented. If the parties cannot agree on what portions of the deposition testimony, if any, should be excluded, the objecting party must prepare a list of the page and line numbers at issue and provide it to the Court no later than the time that party files its motions in limine (one (1) week prior to beginning the trial calendar) - along with the relevant text from the deposition(s). Failure to comply with this requirement will constitute a waiver of the objection to the challenged
Document Type
Deposition Objection List
Parties must provide the Court an exhibit list before jury selection, showing each exhibit's number/letter and a brief description.
Before jury selection begins, the parties shall provide the Court with a copy of the exhibit list. Exhibit lists shall include for each exhibit both the exhibit number/letter and a brief description of what the exhibit purports to be.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Counsel must email a proposed final order to the Staff Attorney before the hearing.
Prior to the hearing, counsel shall email a proposed final order to the Staff Attorney in Word format.
Document Type
Proposed Final Order
All bond motions must be filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Document Type
Bond Motion
Proposed orders are submitted by email to the Litigation Manager and opposing counsel simultaneously.
Proposed orders shall be submitted by email to the Litigation Manager and opposing counsel simultaneously
Document Type
Proposed Order
All Court submissions must include the filer's email address.
Include your email address on all Court submissions.
Document Type
Court Submission
Expert disclosures must include expert names, subject matters, substance of facts and opinions, and a summary of the grounds for each opinion.
Expert disclosures shall include the names, subject matters, substance of facts and opinions, and a summary of the grounds for each opinion which any expert is
Document Type
Expert Disclosure
For pattern jury charges, parties must list the title and pattern number of each requested charge using the current Council of Superior Court Judges pattern charges.
In this WORD document — for pattern charges — the parties shall list on a page(s) the title and pattern number of the requested pattern charges, using the current pattern charges published by the Council of Superior Court Judges (the pattern charges are updated January and July of each year).
Document Type
Jury Charges
Exhibits and demonstrative evidence must be marked with labels and exchanged among the parties, with an exhibit list, before trial begins.
All exhibits and demonstrative evidence shall be marked with exhibit labels and exchanged among the parties, along with an exhibit list, prior to the beginning of the trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
For non-pattern jury charges, parties must recite the charge text with supporting authority and may request them only when no pattern charge applies.
for non-pattern charges - the parties must recite the text of the charge requested and reference the applicable, supporting statutory or case authority. The parties may request non-pattern charges only if there is no pattern charge that covers the issue.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
When a pattern jury charge is requested, parties must list only the title and pattern number, without reciting the charge text.
version of the pattern charge is being requested, do not recite the text of the pattern charge, just list the title and pattern number.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Parties using Court technology to display evidence must contact Court Technology Services and fill out a request form at least one week before trial.
Parties seeking to utilize Court technology to display recordings or other evidence must prepare for trial by contacting Court Technology Services (www. fultoncourt.org/court-technology) to fill out a request form at least one (1) week before
Document Type
Technology Request Form
A party seeking to bring its own evidence viewing equipment must provide a proposed order to the Staff Attorney at least one day before trial.
Any party seeking such an order must provide a proposed order to the Staff Attorney at least one (1) day prior to trial.
Document Type
Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Court reporters must e-file transcripts and accompanying exhibits; due to eFileGa size limits exhibits are scanned individually and emailed, and oversized or non-paper exhibits may be submitted as a digital photograph.
All transcripts, and accompanying exhibits, must be e-filed by the court reporter. Due to the size limits of eFileGa, all exhibits must be scanned individually and emailed to the court reporter. For oversized or non-paper exhibits, such as guns, poster boards, etc., you may submit a digital photograph of the object marked with an exhibit sticker.
Page 11 | 10.7. Digital Submission of Exhibits
E-filing is mandatory in Fulton County Superior Court.
Electronic filing (e-filing) is mandatory in Fulton County Superior Court.
Page 1 | SECTION 1. E-FILING NOTICE
All parties must create an account with eFileGA.
All parties shall create an account with eFileGA
Page 1 | SECTION 1. E-FILING NOTICE
Proposed orders should not be e-filed; they may be emailed to the Staff Attorney in WORD format with an attached copy of the filed motion.
Proposed orders should not be e-filed. Proposed orders may be emailed to the Staff Attorney (in WORD format) with attached copy of the filed motion to which the proposed order pertains.
Page 9 | SECTION 11
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Bond motions filed before the indictment or accusation is docketed must be refiled or will be deemed withdrawn.
Any bond motion filed prior to docketing of the indictment or accusation must be refiled or will be deemed withdrawn.
Page 2 | 3.2 Bond Motions/Hearings
Bond motions will not be heard at arraignment unless filed at least 48 hours before the arraignment date.
Motions for bond will not be heard at arraignment unless filed at least 48 hours prior to the arraignment date.
Page 2 | 3.2 Bond Motions/Hearings
Motions to compel discovery may be filed any time after the Discovery Date deadline has passed and no later than the Motions Due Date in the CSSO.
Such motion may be filed any time after the Discovery Date deadline has passed and no later than the Motions Due Date which is identified in the separate CSSO entered in each defendant's case.
Page 4 | DISCOVERY
Motions filed after the Motions Due Date are untimely and will not be considered absent a showing of just cause for the late filing.
Motions filed after that date are untimely and will not be considered absent a showing of just cause for the late filing.
Page 4 | MOTIONS
Pre-trial submissions must be filed with the Clerk and emailed by 4 p.m. one business day before trial, or else by the time the parties are ordered to appear if trial is set on shorter notice.
the parties are required to file with the Clerk of Court, serve on opposing counsel by email and submit by email to the Litigation Manager by 4 p.m. one (1) business day before the first day of trial, the following FIVE ITEMS (if the case is called to trial with less than one (1) business day notice, these submissions are due by the time the parties are ordered to appear in Court)
Page 8 | 8.4
Motions in limine must be made in writing and filed no later than one week before the trial calendar begins.
Motions in Limine shall be made in writing, filed no later than one 1) week prior to the beginning of the trial calendar.
Page 11 | 14.1
Petitioner(s) must submit fingerprints timely so that the background check is completed before the hearing.
If a background check is required, petitioner(s) shall submit fingerprints in a timely manner so the background check is completed prior to the hearing date.
Page 1 | Standing Case Management Order
All documents must be filed before the hearing.
Further, all documents shall be filed prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Standing Case Management Order
Motion filing deadlines apply to all specified motions and notices, with an exception for true motions in limine; motions improperly cast as in limine after the Motions Due Date will not be permitted absent just cause.
Application. The motion filing requirements and deadlines apply to all motions and notices, including but not limited to O.C.G.A. § 26-3-24 immunity motions, demurrers, pleas in bar or abatement, notice of O.C.G.A. §§ 24-4-404(b), 413, 414 and 418 evidence; notice of intention to use child hearsay; defendant's notice of intent to raise issues of incompetency, insanity or mental illness, defendant's notice of intent to raise alibi defense, defendant's notice of intent to introduce evidence of specific acts of violence by victim against third parties, and defendant's O.C.G.A. § 24-4-412(c) notice of intent to use evidence of complaining witness's past sexual behavior. These deadlines do not apply to motions in limine involving discrete evidentiary issues the significance of which is not readily apparent until focused trial preparation. However untimely motions improperly cast as motions in limine which are not true in limine motions, such as motions to suppress, to dismiss, or to sever defendants, will not be permitted after the Motions Due Date deadline absent a showing ofjust cause.
Page 4 | MOTIONS
If no motions requiring a hearing are timely filed with courtesy copies received in Chambers, the case will not be placed on the Motions Hearing Calendar or afforded a hearing.
However, if no motions which require a hearing are timely filed, with courtesy copies received in Chambers, your case will not appear on the Motions Hearing Calendar and your case will not be afforded a hearing.
Page 5 | 5.5
Requests for a court interpreter must be emailed to the Litigation Manager at least five business days before the hearing.
The request for an interpreter must be submitted in writing via email to the Litigation Manager no later than five (5) business days prior to the hearing date.
Page 12 | 11.1. Court Interpreter
Proposed orders must be emailed to the Litigation Manager and opposing counsel within three business days of the pronouncement unless directed otherwise by the Court.
Proposed orders shall be submitted by email to the Litigation Manager and opposing counsel simultaneously and within three (3) business days of the pronouncement of that order or judgment unless directed otherwise by the Court.
Page 12 | 10.12. Preparation of Orders
Conflict letters must be submitted one week before the trial calendar begins and must follow U.S.C.R. 17.1 in proposing a resolution.
All conflict letters must be submitted one (1) week before the trial calendar begins and must follow U.S.C.R. 17.1 in proposing a resolution.
Page 11
Attorneys must email proposed verdict forms to the Staff Attorney no later than one week before the trial calendar begins.
The attorneys shall submit any proposed verdict forms to the Staff Attorney by email no later than one (1) week prior to the beginning of the trial calendar.
Page 12 | 14.3
Parties must email requested jury charges to the Staff Attorney no later than two business days before the trial calendar begins.
Parties shall email the Staff Attorney their requested jury charges in WORD format - as described below - no later than two (2) business days prior to the beginning of the trial calendar.
Page 12 | 14.4
Parties must submit proposed voir dire questions to the Staff Attorney no later than two business days before the trial calendar begins.
Parties shall submit to the Staff Attorney all proposed voir dire questions no later than two (2) business days prior to the beginning of the trial calendar.
Page 12 | 14.2
Filing a 12(b) motion to dismiss before the Answer deadline postpones the Answer deadline to 15 days after the Court rules on the motion.
If a defendant files an O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(b) motion to dismiss before the deadline to file an Answer has passed, the deadline to file an Answer is postponed until 15 days after the Court rules on that motion.
Page 4 | SECTION 7. EARLY MOTIONS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Parties must serve pretrial submissions on opposing counsel by email one business day before trial.
the parties are required to file with the Clerk of Court, serve on opposing counsel by email and submit by email to the Litigation Manager by 4 p.m. one (1) business day before the first day of trial
Page 8 | 8.4
Parties relying on expert testimony must give written notice to the opposing party at least 14 days before the Final Plea/Trial Calendar and 7 days before any evidentiary hearing, including a meaningful summary of the expert's testimony and qualifications.
Any party seeking to rely on expert testimony at trial (or any evidentiary hearing) must provide written notice to the opposing party. This notice must include a meaningful summary of the expert's testimony as well as her qualifications to serve as an expert witness. The notice must be provided at least fourteen (14) days before the Final Plea/Trial Calendar and seven (7) days before any evidentiary hearing requiring expert testimony.
Page 4 | DISCOVERY
All parties must add a service contact to ensure consistent service.
add a service contact to this case to ensure consistent service of orders and other notices from the Court.
Page 1 | SECTION 1. E-FILING NOTICE
Filing Fees and Waivers
Filing fees apply to all e-filing transactions.
Filing fees will apply for all e-filing transactions.
Page 1 | SECTION 1. E-FILING NOTICE
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Parties filing bond motions must deliver a courtesy copy to opposing counsel and the Litigation Manager.
withdrawn. Parties filing bond motions are required to deliver a courtesy copy to opposing counsel and the Litigation
Page 2 | 3.2 Bond Motions/Hearings
Parties filing motions must email a courtesy copy to Chambers via the Litigation Manager, received the same day the motion is filed; failure may result in denial of the motion.
Parties filing motions are required to deliver a courtesy copy to Judge Ellerbe's Chambers via email to the Litigation Manager. The courtesy copies of motions must be received in Chambers the same day that the motions are filed in the Clerk's office. Failure to comply with this directive may result in the denial of motions.
Page 5 | 5.3
Parties must email courtesy copies of motions and responses to the Staff Attorney in addition to e-filing and e-serving.
In addition to e-filing and e-serving the motion or response, parties are required to send courtesy copies to the Staff Attorney by email.
Page 9 | SECTION 10 (implied)
Motions or response briefs exceeding 45 pages (including exhibits) must be hand delivered or mailed to Chambers.
If a motion or response brief is over forty-five (45) pages in length, including exhibits, it must be hand delivered or mailed to Chambers.
Page 9 | SECTION 10 (implied)
Counsel must email courtesy copies of the Petition and Rule Nisi, with case number, to the Staff Attorney after filing.
After the filing of the Petition and Rule Nisi, counsel shall email courtesy copies of such with the case number to the Staff Attorney.
Page 1 | Standing Case Management Order
Courtesy copies of additional filings must be delivered to Chambers via email.
If there are additional filings beyond the Petition and Rule Nisi (e.g., motion to serve by publication, acknowledgment of service, answers, home studies), courtesy copies of such filings shall be delivered to Chambers via email.
Page 1 | Standing Case Management Order
As with all motions, a courtesy copy of any motion for extension must be provided to Judge Ellerbe's Chambers via email to the Litigation Manager.
As with all motions, a courtesy copy of any motion for extension must be provided to Judge Ellerbe's Chambers via email to the Litigation Manager.
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Filing Bundling Requirements
Each motion in limine must be a separate document, not combined with other motions.
All motions in limine. Each such motion shall be a separate document and attachment to the email to opposing counsel and to the Litigation Manager.
Page 8 | 8.4.3
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Discovery motions require a pre-filing conference and certification that the conference occurred and efforts to resolve failed.
"[a]t the time of filing the motion, counsel shall also file a statement certifying that such [pre-filing] conference [amongst affected parties or entities] has occurred and that the effort to resolve by agreement the issues raised failed."
Page 7 | 8.5
Parties must confer before the Motions Hearing Date to determine whether outstanding motions can be narrowed or resolved and to discuss the State's offer and the defendant's desired course.
The Court hereby orders the parties to confer before the Motions Hearing Date to determine whether any of the outstanding motions can be narrowed or resolved by agreement and to discuss the State's offer to resolve the case as well as the defendant's desire to enter a plea of guilty or move forward to the Motions Hearing Date and Trial.
Page 5 | 5.6
Parties must confer before the Final Plea Date to discuss the State's offer and whether the defendant will plead guilty or proceed to trial.
The Court hereby orders the parties to confer before the Final Plea Date to determine the State's offer and whether the defendant will enter a plea of guilty or move forward to trial.
Page 6 | 6.2
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Discovery extension requests must be filed by written motion by the Discovery Date deadline and include a detailed fact-based explanation, the time needed, and a proposed order.
Any request for an extension of the Discovery Date deadline shall be submitted by written motion to the Court by the Discovery Date deadline. Such motions must provide a detailed, fact-based explanation of the need for the extension including the amount of time needed to provide outstanding discovery, along with a proposed order for the Court's consideration.
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Requests to extend discovery for outstanding forensic testing must be filed PRIOR TO the Discovery Date deadline.
Any outstanding forensic testing, requested by either party, must be brought to the Court's attention by way of a timely request for extension filed PRIOR TO the Discovery Date deadline to prevent delays in the trial and other Court dates and deadlines.
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
A party must request a continuance or status conference in writing at least 7 days before the Final Plea and Trial Date, absent good cause.
that party must notify the Court by written request for a continuance and/or a status conference at least seven (7) days before the Final Plea and Trial Date absent good cause shown.
Page 7
Continuances are granted only upon a showing of good cause.
No continuances will be granted except for good cause shown.
Page 3 | SECTION 6. DEADLINE EXTENSIONS, GENERALLY
Any deadline or hearing date change requires Court approval even when all parties agree.
Modification of any deadline or hearing date requires the Court's approval, even if all parties consent to the change.
Page 3 | SECTION 6. DEADLINE EXTENSIONS, GENERALLY
Continuances are granted only for exceptional circumstances.
Continuances will be granted only due to exceptional circumstances.
Page 11
No exceptions, extensions, or waivers are allowed without express court permission.
Absent express permission from the Court, no exceptions, extensions or waivers to the requirements set forth herein are allowed.
Page 1 | Standing Case Management Order
The Final Plea Date will not be reset unless good cause is shown and the Court enters an express order.
The Final Plea Date shall not be reset absent good cause shown and express order of this Court.
Page 6 | 6.1
A party may seek a continuance or address other problems with proceeding to trial on the Final Plea and Trial Date based on grounds such as incomplete discovery, incomplete witness information, or client difficulties.
In the event a party intends to seek a continuance or has any other problem with going forward with trial on the assigned Final Plea and Trial Date due to incomplete production of discovery, incomplete witness information, client difficulties, a request for a
Page 6 | 6.5
Requests to extend deadlines should be made as soon as the need arises and before the applicable deadline expires.
Any requests for deadline extensions should be made as soon as the need arises and before the deadline expires.
Page 3 | SECTION 6. DEADLINE EXTENSIONS, GENERALLY
Discovery extensions are only granted for good cause shown before the discovery period expires, except in extraordinary circumstances.
Except in extraordinary circumstances where a request is made and good cause shown prior to the expiration of the discovery period, no extension of time for discovery or other discovery motions will be granted.
Page 7 | 8.6
Discovery extension requests must include current deadlines, proposed extensions, a list of discovery conducted, and a completion schedule.
The request for a discovery extension shall include all the current deadlines and all proposed deadline extensions, including the new proposed deadlines for filing dispositive motions and readiness for trial. All requests for discovery extensions shall also include a list of discovery conducted thus far, the requested deadline extension, and a schedule of outstanding discovery to be completed during the requested extension. Without this detail, requests for discovery extensions will not be considered.
Page 8 | 8.6
Sentencing hearings proceed immediately after conviction, but the Court may grant a continuance for good cause.
The Court anticipates proceeding with sentencing hearings immediately after any conviction. However, on good cause shown by either party, the Court will entertain a continuance.
Page 7 | 7.3
The inability to display evidence is not grounds to delay or continue the trial.
The inability to display evidence will not be reason to delay or continue trial.
Page 14 | 14.6. Courtroom Technology
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel must communicate with Chambers in writing via email to the Litigation Manager, copying all counsel unless the communication is a proper ex parte filing.
While the Court encourages counsel to communicate with Chambers, such communication shall be in writing and delivered by email to Litigation Manager Rhapsody Little ((Rhapsody.Little@fultoncountyga.gov) with copies to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.
Page 1 | 1. COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Submit all case-related questions, explanations, and discussions by email with a copy to opposing counsel.
To avoid inappropriate ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations or discussions concerning your case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel.
Page 1 | 1.1 Email
Counsel must not directly email or call the Judge under any circumstances.
In no instance, should counsel directly email or call the Judge.
Page 1 | 1.3
All case questions and discussions must be submitted by email to the Staff Attorney with a copy to opposing counsel.
To avoid ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations and discussions concerning this case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel, to the Staff Attorney, Ms. Britton, at daniela.britton@fultoncountyga.gov.
Page 2 | SECTION 3. COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Indigent parties must email the court reporter coordinator at least one week before a hearing or trial to request a Court-provided court reporter.
if a party has been found indigent by the Court, they are required to email kristen.rogers@fultoncountyga.gov no later than one week in advance of the hearing or trial to request a Court provided court reporter.
Page 3 | SECTION 4. COURT REPORTERS
Communication with Chambers must be in writing, delivered in hard copy or emailed to the Staff Attorney, with copies to all counsel unless ex parte; direct email to the Judge is prohibited.
While the Court encourages counsel to communicate with Chambers, such communication shall be in writing and delivered in hard copy or emailed to the Staff Attorney with copies of such communication also provided to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing. In no instance should counsel directly email the Judge.
Page 1 | Standing Case Management Order
All communications with the court must include the case number in the subject line.
All communications with the court must contain the case number in the subject line.
Page 1 | 1.1 Email
Avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.
Phone. To prevent miscommunications and inappropriate ex parte communications, avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional
Page 1 | 1.2 Phone
Counsel who do not check their own emails must arrange for someone in their office to monitor and report incoming messages.
If you do not personally check your emails, you must arrange to have your emails forwarded to someone in your office who will be responsible for checking them and informing you of the messages/documents that have been sent.
Page 1 | 1.1 Email
All communications with the Court must have the case number in the subject line.
All communications with the Court must contain the case number in the subject line.
Page 2 | SECTION 3. COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Parties who do not check email must arrange for someone to receive and inform them of court communications.
If you do not check your emails, you must arrange to have them forwarded to someone in your office who will be responsible for checking them and informing you of the messages/documents that have been sent.
Page 2 | SECTION 3. COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Parties should avoid telephoning the Court except in exceptional circumstances.
For this same reason and to prevent miscommunications, please avoid telephoning except in exceptional circumstances.
Page 2 | SECTION 3. COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Parties must immediately notify the Court of any problem or dispute that could delay Court-set deadlines or hearing dates.
Notify the Court immediately of any problem or dispute (e.g., discovery issues, witness unavailability, illness, or the late addition of parties or claims) that could delay the deadlines or hearing dates set forth by the Court.
Page 3 | SECTION 6. DEADLINE EXTENSIONS, GENERALLY
Upon receiving trial notice, parties must immediately contact the Staff Attorney to report case status, estimated trial length, and settlement possibilities.
Immediately upon receipt of trial notice, the parties are ordered to contact the Staff Attorney with the status of the case, the estimated length of trial and the possibilities of settlement during the trial calendar.
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Any known admissibility disagreement must be brought to the Court's attention before trial begins.
Any known disagreement about admissibility of exhibits shall be brought to the Court's attention before trial begins.
Page 13 | 14.5. Exhibits & Demonstrative Evidence
The Court and its staff cannot provide legal or procedural advice.
The Court and Court staff cannot provide counsel on procedure or on the law.
Page 2 | SECTION 3. COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
The Court prefers email communication when possible.
The Court has chosen to communicate by email, whenever possible, for the sake of efficiency and economy.
Page 2 | SECTION 3. COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Requests to exceed the page limit may be made informally by email.
Approval to exceed this page length may be requested informally by email.
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