Superior Court of Fulton County Chambers Communication Rules

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

Conflict letters for Judicial Officer Osby must be filed in each case and emailed to cathy.robinson@fultoncountyga.gov with the specified subject line.

are to be filed in each case and emailed to cathy.robinson@fultoncountyga.gov the following subject line: JUDICIAL OFFICER OSBY 4 CONFLICT LETTER 4 CASE NAME 4 CASE NUMBER. Conflict Letters for hearings before

WARNINGCriminal cases

Witnesses may appear virtually only if the parties agree and a specific request is made to, and authorized by, the Court.

Witnesses may appear virtually for a proceeding if the parties agree AND a specific request is made to and authorized by the Court.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Zoom links for virtual hearings shall not be shared with anyone for any reason, including persons not called to address the Court, absent express permission from the Court.

Zoom links provided for the appearance of counsel, the parties, and/or witnesses at a virtual hearing shall not be shared with anyone for any reason, absent express permission from the Court. This includes anyone who will not be called upon to address the Court during that proceeding.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

Conflict letters for Judge Eaton must be filed in each case and emailed to Elizabeth.marum@fultoncountyga.gov with the specified subject line.

CONFLICT LETTER 4 CASE NAME 4 CASE NUMBER. Conflict Letters for hearings before Judge Eaton are to be filed in each case and emailed to Elizabeth.marum@fultoncountyga.gov with the following subject line:

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Requests for court-ordered production of an incarcerated defendant or witness must be submitted in writing to Cathy Robinson at cathy.robinson@fultoncountyga.gov and received no later than 14 business days before the scheduled court appearance.

Parties must submit their request in writing to Cathy Robinson, Litigation Manager, at cathy.robinson@fultoncountyga.gov and the production request must be received no later than 14 business days before the scheduled court appearance.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Attorneys must provide their email addresses to the Litigation Manager at entry of appearance and arrange for forwarding if they do not check email personally.

At the entry of appearance of counsel, the attorneys are required to provide their email addresses to Litigation Manager Cathy Robinson same to her. 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.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Requests for a court-provided translator must be submitted in writing to Cathy Robinson at cathy.robinson@fultoncountyga.gov no later than 10 business days before the hearing.

The request for a translator must be submitted in writing to Cathy Robinson, Litigation Manager, at cathy.robinson@fultoncountyga.gov, no later than 10 business days prior to the hearing date.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

All case questions, explanations, and discussions must be submitted by email with a copy to opposing counsel, with ex parte communications exempted.

To avoid inappropriate ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations or discussions concerning your case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel. Appropriate ex parte communications are exempted from this rule.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Attorneys unfamiliar with the evidence presentation technology in Courtroom 5E must submit a written equipment-training request to April M. Woods no later than 5 business days before trial; timely email notification suffices.

In the event any party intends to utilize exhibits during any hearing, trial or other proceeding and the counsel is unfamiliar with the evidence presentation technology in Courtroom 5E, then that attorney is required to submit a written‘ request for equipment training. Training can generally be accomplished in 15 minutes. This request should be submitted in writing to Case Manager April Woods, no later than 5 business days . before trial date.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email

Requests for court production of an incarcerated defendant or witness must be submitted in writing to April M. Woods and received no later than 30 business days before the scheduled court appearance.

Parties must submit their request in writing i to Litigation Manager April M. Woods at April.Woods@fultoncountyga.gov and the production request must be received no later than 30 business days before the scheduled court

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email

Interpreter requests must be submitted in writing via email to April M. Woods no later than 5 business days before the hearing.

The request for an interpreter must be submitted in writing via email to the Litigation Manager April M. Woods at April.Woods@fultoncountyga.gov no later than 5 business days prior to the hearing date.

WARNING

Parties must contact Court Technology Services at least one week before trial to confirm evidence viewing equipment and training.

Please prepare for trial by contacting Court Technology Services at sca.techsupport@fultoncountyga.gov at least one week before trial to make certain the evidence viewing equipment has the associated media player, drivers, and accessories necessary for you to make an effective presentation and that you are trained on use of the equipment before day one of trial.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Attorneys must provide their email addresses to Litigation Manager April M. Woods at entry of appearance.

At the entry of appearance of counsel, the attorneys are required to provide their email addresses to Litigation Manager April M. Woods by emailing same to her.

WARNING

If over 100 exhibits are anticipated and in dispute, parties must notify the court at least one week before trial.

In the event that over 100 exhibits are anticipated and in dispute, the parties must notify the court at least one week in advance of trial so that the Court can decide whether to schedule a pre-trial hearing.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

All case questions and discussions must be submitted by email with a copy to opposing counsel to the Staff Attorney; telephone calls should be avoided except in exceptional circumstances.

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. Romero, at Rupal.Romero@fultoncountyga.gov. For this same reason and to prevent miscommunications, please avoid telephoning except in exceptional circumstances.

WARNING

Parties wanting voir dire taken down must contact court reporter Candice Sanders by noon the day before voir dire.

If the parties want voir dire taken down by the court reporter, Candice Sanders, they must contact Ms. Sanders no later than noon on the day prior to start of voir dire to arrange for takedown.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Phone

(404) 612-8681

The parties are directed to contact April M. Woods, Litigation Manager for Judge Craig L. Schwall, Sr., at (404) 612-8681 or April.Woods@fultoncountvga.gov to schedule a date for entry of a plea prior to the Final Plea Hearing.

The parties are directed to contact April M. Woods, Litigation Manager for Judge Craig L. Schwall, Sr., at (404) 612-8681 or April.Woods@fultoncountvga.gov to schedule a date for entry of a plea prior to the Final Plea Hearing.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Communications with Chambers must be in writing and delivered in hard copy or emailed to Litigation Manager April M. Woods, with copies to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.

While the Court encourages counsel to communicate with Chambers, such communication shall be in writing and delivered in hard copy or emailed to Litigation Manager April M. Woods (April.Woods@fultoncountyga.gov) with copies of such communication also provided to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

All case questions and discussions must be sent by email to the Staff Attorney with a copy to opposing counsel to avoid ex parte communications.

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. Romero, at Rupal. Romero@fultoncountvga.gov.

WARNING

Parties must notify the court at least one week before trial if over 100 exhibits are anticipated and in dispute.

In the event that over 100 exhibits are anticipated and in dispute, the parties must notify the court at least one week in advance of trial so that the Court can decide whether to schedule a pre-trial hearing.

WARNING

Contact

Email

To have trial taken down by the court reporter, contact Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com no later than noon the day before trial.

If counsel or parties would like trial to be taken down by the court reporter, they shall contact Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com no later than noon on the day prior to start of trial to arrange for takedown.

WARNING

Contact

Email

Parties must contact Court Technology Services at least one week before trial to confirm evidence viewing equipment and receive training before day one of trial.

Please prepare for trial by contacting Court Technology Services at: sca.techsupport@fultoncountyga.gov at least one week before trial to make certain the evidence viewing equipment has the associated media player, drivers, and accessories necessary for you to make an effective presentation and that you are trained on use of the equipment before day one of trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Any request for an extension must be submitted by email to the Senior Staff Attorney.

Any request for an extension shall be submitted by email to Ms. Percifield.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed orders should be submitted via email directly to Ms. Percifield.

All proposed orders should be submitted electronically via email directly to Ms. Percifield in Microsoft Word format.

WARNINGCivil cases

Parties must copy opposing parties or counsel on all communications with the Court.

Parties are reminded to copy the opposing party/parties or counsel, as appropriate, on all communications with the Court, including all court staff.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

The Court shall be notified 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 case or cause a party to miss a deadline. Such notification should be by email to lara.percifield@fultoncountyga.gov.

The Court shall be notified 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 case or cause a party to miss a deadline. Such notification should be by email to lara.percifield@fultoncountyga.gov.

WARNING

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.

WARNINGCriminal cases

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.

WARNING

Contact

Email

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.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

Phone. To prevent miscommunications and inappropriate ex parte communications, avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional

WARNING

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.

WARNING

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.

WARNING

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.

WARNING

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.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email

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.

WARNING

The Court will not engage in practice by email and will only respond to matters properly filed with the Clerk's office.

the Court will not condone or participate in "practice by email." The Court will only respond to matters that have been properly filed with the Clerk's office.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Counsel should avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

To prevent miscommunications and inappropriate ex parte communications, avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Counsel should avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

To prevent miscommunications and inappropriate ex parte communications. avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Attorneys unfamiliar with the Courtroom 8C evidence presentation technology must email a written equipment-training request to Staff Attorney Sarah Thomas no later than five (5) business days before the trial date.

In the event any party intends to utilize exhibits during any hearing. trial or other proceeding and counsel is unfamiliar with the evidence presentation technology in Courtroom 8C, that attorney is required to email a written request for equipment training to the Court's Staff Attorney. Ms. Sarah Thomas (Sarah.1Thomas-a fultoncountyga.gov). Training can generally be accomplished in fifteen (15) minutes. This request should be submitted in writing to Sr. Staff Attorney Sarah Thomas no later than five (5) business days before the trial date. Timely email notification to Ms. Thomas is sufficient.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed Orders must be emailed to Litigation Manager Angela Sims.

Counsel shall ensure he/she/they email, to Litigation Manager Angela Sims, a proposed Order in connection with any "standard" procedural motions

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel must provide their email addresses to the Litigation Manager at the entry of appearance.

At the entry of appearance of counsel, the attorneys are required to provide their email addresses to Litigation Manager Angela Sims by emailing same to her.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

To avoid inappropriate ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations or discussions concerning your case 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.

WARNING

Copy opposing counsel, parties, and pro se litigants on all communications with Court staff.

When communicating with the Court, parties are reminded to ensure opposing counsel, parties, and pro se litigants are copied on all communication with the Court staff.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Phone

Phone

(404) 612-2806

To enter a guilty plea before the Final Plea Calendar, the parties must contact Litigation Manager Seneca McRae at (404) 612-2806 to schedule the plea date, and the Court will make every effort to accommodate such requests.

Negotiated and/or non-negotiated pleas may be entered prior to the date of the Final Plea Calendar. The parties are directed to contact Seneca McRae. Litigation Manager. at (404) 612-2806 to schedule a date for entry ofa guilty plea. prior to the date of the Final Plea Calendar. The Court will make every effort to accommodate such requests.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Counsel must provide a working cell phone number and email address to the Litigation Manager so counsel can be contacted to report to trial.

it is counsel's responsibility to ensure the Court's Litigation Manager, Angela Sims, has a working cell phone number and email address upon which counsel can be contacted immediately to receive a message to report to trial.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Attorneys who intend to use exhibits but are unfamiliar with Courtroom 8C evidence presentation technology must email a written equipment training request to Staff Attorney Sarah Thomas no later than 5 business days before trial.

In the event any party intends to utilize exhibits during any hearing, trial or other proceeding and counsel is unfamiliar with the evidence presentation technology in Courtroom 8C, that attorney is required to email a written request for equipment training to the Court's Staff Attorney, Ms. Sarah Thomas (Sarah.Thomas@fultoncountyga.gov). Training can generally be accomplished in fifteen (15) minutes. This request should be submitted in writing to Sr. Staff Attorney Sarah Thomas no later than five (5) business days before the trial date.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Phone

The Court will notify counsel, at the contact number offered by counsel, that the case has been called to trial and will give counsel notice of at least 4-hours within which to report to Judge Leftridge's courtroom ready to proceed.

The Court will notify counsel, at the contact number offered by counsel, that the case has been called to trial and will give counsel notice of at least 4-hours within which to report to Judge Leftridge's courtroom ready to proceed.

WARNINGCivil cases

Ex parte communication with the Court is not acknowledged; if the Court informs a party as a courtesy, the party must resend the correspondence copying all opposing parties.

Communication Any communication (written or phone) with the Court that does not include all the parties is considered ex parte communication (communication from one party of a lawsuit that excludes the other parties to that suit and deprives the other parties of knowledge to which those parties might otherwise want to respond). For that reason, ex parte communication cannot be acknowledged by a Court. This ensures the fairness of the Court to all sides. The Court is not required to inform a party thata communication has been ignored due to its ex parte nature, but if the Court informs a party as a courtesy, that party will need to resend its correspondence, copying all opposing parties/counsel on the submission.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Jury charge requests must be emailed to the Court's Staff Attorney.

In addition to filing jury charge requests with the Clerk, the parties shall also email a copy in Word format to the Court's Staff Attorney (Ahitchell gov),

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Submit pre-trial materials by email to the Litigation Manager.

submit by email to Litigation Manager Caretha German at Caretha.German@fultoncountyga.gov