City of St. Louis Circuit Court Chambers Communication Rules
49 rules from official source documents
Rules for contacting chambers: permitted methods, hours, and purposes.
CRITICALCivil cases
Testimonial motions must be scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk.
Testimonial motions shall be scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk
CRITICAL
For a jury trial expected to last at least five days or potentially require more than 42 jurors, the division must notify Joanne Martin at least eight weeks before the setting to discuss juror logistics.
If any jury trial will last five (5) days or longer, civil or criminal, and/or may need more than 42 jurors, the division shall notify Joanne Martin no later than 8 weeks prior to the setting to discuss number, what day jurors brought in, etc.
CRITICAL
Courtroom #1 requires live attendance, but the Court may allow virtual attendance for good cause if requested at least 5 days before the hearing; live attendance is encouraged, with exceptions if warranted.
Courtroom #1 shall require full attendance and be live for all. The Court shall allow virtual attendance only for good cause shown and provided a request is made no less than 5 days in advance of the hearing to the Court. The Court encourages live attendance but will make exceptions if warranted.
CRITICALCivil cases
Contested motions must be scheduled exclusively through the court's website using the motion docket sign-up tab.
Contested motions shall be scheduled exclusively through the court's website (stlcitycircuitcourt.com) by selecting the motion docket sign-up tab from the homepage.
CRITICALCriminal cases
The moving party must schedule hearings for all pretrial motions with the Court by the date specified in the order.
Any and all hearings for any pretrial motions shall be scheduled with the Court by the moving party on or before ________________.
CRITICAL
Remaining deposition objections must be presented to the Court well in advance of the proposed use so the Court can rule and counsel can make necessary edits.
Any remaining objections must be presented to the Court for a ruling well in advance of the proposed use of the deposition, so that the Court can rule on any objections in time for counsel to make the necessary edits without wasting jury time.
CRITICAL
- Contact
To cancel or reschedule any matter, you must contact Maria Fulhorst by email at maria.fulhorst@courts.mo.gov or call 314-622-4680 within two business days of scheduled hearing date.
To cancel or reschedule any matter, you must contact Maria Fulhorst by email at maria.fulhorst@courts.mo.gov or call 314-622-4680 within two business days of scheduled hearing date.
CRITICAL
- Contact
To cancel or reschedule any matter, you must contact Division 15 either by phone or email within two business days of scheduled hearing date.
To cancel or reschedule any matter, you must contact Division 15 either by phone or email within two business days of scheduled hearing date.
CRITICAL
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Attorneys must email Division Clerk Terri Pike directly to schedule testimonial or expungement motions.
Attorneys are to contact the division clerk, Terri Pike, directly at terri.pike@courts.mo.gov, to schedule a time for said motions.
CRITICAL
- Contact
- Email to clerk
For a cancellation or rescheduling, email the courtroom clerk at terri.pike@courts.mo.gov.
To cancel or reschedule any matter, you must either email the courtroom clerk, Terri Pike, at terri.pike@courts.mo.gov, or call 314-622-4503 within two business days of scheduled hearing date.
CRITICAL
When scheduling, provide Ms. Johnson the expected hearing length and whether a record is needed; in criminal cases, also tell her whether a confined client needs to be present.
Tell Ms. Johnson how long your hearing is expected to last and whether you need a record. Ms. Johnson will then give you a few possible dates. (In criminal cases, tell Ms. Johnson whether your confined client needs to be present for the hearing.
CRITICAL
- Contact
A party seeking a hearing on the record must email the Court when filing the hearing notice or by noon of the preceding business day at the latest.
If any party wants their motion heard on the record, they are directed to notify the Court by email to tanya.johnson@courts.mo.gov at the time the notice of hearing of the motion is filed or, in any event, no later than noon of the business day prior to the motion hearing.
CRITICAL
Civil or criminal motions that are lengthy, testimonial, must be on the record, or lack a Court-ordered hearing notice must be scheduled directly with Division 7.
If your civil or criminal motion is lengthy, (more than 20 minutes for both sides to argue), testimonial, must be on the record, or has not been noticed for hearing by order of the Court, the motion must be scheduled directly with Division 7.
CRITICAL
Notify Ms. Johnson when you file the Notice of Hearing so the case can be placed on the docket for the selected date and time.
Let Ms. Johnson know when you file your Notice of Hearing, so she can make sure your case gets on the docket for the date and time you have chosen.
CRITICAL
- Contact
- Email to chambers
The parties must email the Court a copy of their jury instructions in word-processing format, not PDF.
The parties must also email the Court a copy of their instructions in word processing format (not .pdf) to karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov.
CRITICAL
- Contact
- Email to clerk
An attorney requesting a confined defendant’s in-person appearance must email the Division 4 clerk at least 48 hours before the hearing.
If an attorney representing a confined defendant would like his/her client to appear at an in-in person hearing, he/she shall email the request to the Division 4 clerk, Lisa Keeper (lisa.keeper@courts.mo.gov) 48 hours in advance of the hearing.
CRITICALCriminal cases
- Contact
To schedule a motion or plea hearing, email JOA Karen Ditz and state the motion type, estimated hearing length, and whether an on-the-record hearing is requested.
To schedule a motion or plea hearing, please email JOA Karen Ditz and advise as to the type of motion, the estimated length of the hearing and whether you are requesting a hearing on the record.
CRITICAL
- Contact
- Email to clerk
To cancel or reschedule any matter, you must email the courtroom clerk Nakayla Easter at nakayla.easter@courts.mo.gov or call 314-622-4282 within two business days of scheduled hearing date.
To cancel or reschedule any matter, you must email the courtroom clerk Nakayla Easter at nakayla.easter@courts.mo.gov or call 314-622-4282 within two business days of scheduled hearing date.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Email the courtroom clerk to cancel or reschedule a matter, within two business days of the scheduled hearing date.
To cancel or reschedule any matter, you must email the courtroom clerk within two business days of scheduled hearing date.
WARNING
Contact the Division 9/23 Clerk for matters other than continuance requests.
Please Contact the Division 9/23 Clerk for all other matters.
WARNING
An agency housed in a Court Building must immediately notify the Presiding Judge when it learns of a positive COVID case in the agency.
Any agency housed in one of the Court Buildings who learns of a positive case of COVID in their agency shall provide immediate notice to the Presiding Judge.
WARNING
For a jury trial requiring a larger venire pool, the trial judge should contact the Jury Supervisor eight weeks before trial so jurors can be specially summoned for voir dire.
If a jury trial will require a larger pool of venire persons (Multi-defendant felonies or lengthy civil trials) the trial judge should contact the Jury Supervisor eight (8) weeks prior to the trial date so that jurors may be specifically summoned for Voir Dire the Thursday and/or Friday of the week prior to trial.
WARNING
The listed services and resources are no longer provided routinely; the trial judge must request them in advance, and 48 hours' notice is requested.
All services and resources, previously provided in response to the COVID pandemic, such as public viewing rooms, wireless microphones, plexiglass barriers, masks and cleaning supplies, air filters, refrigerators, etc. will no longer be provided routinely. They remain available but must be requested by the trial judge in advance. 48 hour notice is requested.
WARNING
Requests to use a room other than the assigned division must be submitted to the Secretary of the Presiding Judge and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Requests to use any room other than the assigned division shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Presiding Judge and granted on a first come, first served basis.
WARNINGCivil cases
When available motion dockets are full, add-ons may be permitted for good cause shown by contacting the courtroom clerk.
If available motion dockets are full, add-ons may be permitted for good cause shown by contacting the courtroom clerk.
WARNING
Motions in limine should be scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk or judge as soon as possible, and no later than the week before trial.
Subject to Local Rule 33, motions in limine are scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk or judge. These matters should be scheduled as soon as possible but not later than the week before trial.
WARNING
Exhibits may be used during opening statements only with opposing counsel’s consent and advance notice to the Court.
Use of exhibits during opening statements is permitted as long as there is consent from opposing counsel and notice to the Court in advance.
WARNING
Testimonial motions begin Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.; expungement motions begin Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.
All testimonial motions will begin on Thursdays starting at 9:30 a.m., and all expungement motions will start on Thursdays starting at 1:30 p.m.
WARNING
All asbestos case motions should be scheduled on the web site on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
All asbestos case motions should be scheduled on the web site on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
WARNING
- Contact
For a case needing immediate attention, contact Lisa Anderson or Terri Pike by email, or Terri Pike by phone.
If you have a case that needs immediate attention, please contact Judicial Office Assistant, Lisa Anderson at lisa.d.anderson@courts.mo.gov or Senior Court Clerk Terri Pike at terri.pike@courts.mo.gov or 314-622-4555.
WARNING
Schedule non-asbestos civil motions on the website for Mondays or Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
All non-asbestos civil motions should be scheduled on the web site on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
WARNING
Testimonial motions are not heard during motion dockets on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.
No testimonial motions will be heard on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays during motion dockets.
WARNING
Appearances are in person unless otherwise arranged or ordered; remote appearance requires advance leave for good cause.
All appearances in Division 7 are in-person appearances unless otherwise arranged with the Court or by order of the Court. Remote appearances are discouraged and leave to appear remotely via Webex, for good cause shown, must be obtained in advance of any hearing.
WARNING
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Alternative hearing dates may be requested by emailing the Division 4 JOA when a scheduling conflict arises.
In the event of a scheduling conflict, alternative hearing dates may be requested via email to Division 4 JOA, Karen Ditz (karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov).
WARNING
- Contact
- Email to chambers
For an informal matter requiring a hearing, ascertain opposing counsel’s availability and contact the judicial assistant by email to schedule it.
If you have an informal matter that requires a hearing, please ascertain opposing counsel’s availability, and contact my judicial assistant (karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov) to schedule a hearing.
WARNINGCriminal cases
For an issue requiring more urgent attention, contact Karen to request a special setting.
If you have an issue that requires more urgent attention, please contact Karen for a special setting.
WARNING
- Contact
- Email to chambers
When a scheduling conflict arises, alternative plea hearing dates may be requested by emailing the Division 4 JOA.
In the event of a scheduling conflict, alternative hearing dates may be requested via email to Division 4 JOA Karen Ditz (Karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov).
WARNING
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Requests for alternative hearing dates must copy Judge Fowler by email.
Please copy Judge Fowler (Katherine.fowler@courts.mo.gov) on the email request.
WARNING
- Contact
- Phone to clerk
The movant's attorney should notify the courtroom clerk by phone or email when a scheduled motion is resolved or rescheduled.
Movant's attorney should notify the courtroom clerk by phone or email if a scheduled motion has been resolved or rescheduled.
WARNINGCivil cases
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Schedule testimonial motions on Thursdays if possible; contact the courtroom clerk by email if another date is needed.
Testimonial motions shall be scheduled on Thursdays if possible. If another date is needed for a testimonial motion, please contact the courtroom clerk at sydney.alexander@courts.mo.gov. to obtain that date.
INFO
Media inquiries and requests to release information for the Twenty-Second Circuit must be directed to the Presiding Judge.
The Presiding Judge is the authorized contact for the media for the Twenty-Second Circuit and thus all media inquiries and requests to release information shall be directed to the Presiding Judge.
INFOCivil cases
If counsel learns that the assigned division will not reach the case, counsel may contact Division 1 to seek reassignment so trial can begin as scheduled.
If counsel is advised that their case will not be reached in the assigned division, counsel may contact Division 1 for reassignment to another general division in order to begin the trial on the date scheduled.
INFOCivil cases
Affected counsel are encouraged to contact the assigned general division to check the status of cases ranked ahead of theirs.
It is recommended that affected counsel contact the assigned general division to determine the status of cases ranked ahead of their case on that division's trial docket.
INFOCriminal cases
- Contact
Hearing dates may be obtained from the Judicial Office Assistant, whose email is provided, or from the court.
hearing dates can be obtained from the Judicial Office Assistant (JOA – Janeth Clark, Janeth.clark@courts.mo.gov) or the court.
INFO
Motions, including motions in limine, may be scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk, subject to Local Rule 33.
Subject to Local Rule 33, all motions, including motions in limine, may be scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk.
INFO
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Parties may email proposed jury instructions to the Court at Patrick.Richmond@courts.mo.gov as one of the specified submission methods.
In addition to providing hard copies, the parties shall provide to the Court, prior to opening statements, their proposed instructions on a compact disc, flash drive, or by email to the Court at Patrick.Richmond@courts.mo.gov.
INFO
- Contact
Attorneys should email Adelisa Mehmedovic to schedule a video conference.
Attorneys: email Adelisa Mehmedovic to schedule a video conference.
INFOCivil cases
- Contact
- Phone
- Phone
- 314-622-4372
Please contact my assistant, Flakeisha Cheeks, at 314-622-4372, or at flakeisha.cheeks@courts.mo.gov, or my clerk, Sydney Alexander, at sydney.alexander@courts.mo.gov, for any assistance.
Please contact my assistant, Flakeisha Cheeks, at 314-622-4372, or at flakeisha.cheeks@courts.mo.gov, or my clerk, Sydney Alexander, at sydney.alexander@courts.mo.gov, for any assistance.
CRITICAL
- Phone
- (314) 589-6789
To schedule a motion, contact Division 7’s judicial assistant by phone or email.
Contact the Division 7 judicial assistant, Tanya Johnson, at (314) 589-6789 or tanya.johnson@courts.mo.gov;
How may parties contact City of St. Louis Circuit Court?
City of St. Louis Circuit Court: Testimonial motions must be scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk.
Judge Joseph P. Whyte: When scheduling, provide Ms. Johnson the expected hearing length and whether a record is needed; in criminal cases, also tell her whether a confined client needs to be present.
Judge Katherine M. Fowler: The rule lists email karen.ditz@courts.mo.gov. The parties must email the Court a copy of their jury instructions in word-processing format, not PDF.
46 more rules answer this question.
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Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
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