Judge Keith M. Spaeth

Applies to

Motion to seal

Must include

caption, case number

Counsel seeking to seal a document, documents, or a case file must file a motion, submit a proposed entry, and provide the trial judge a courtesy copy of the motion.

Applies to

Notice of filing of attachments

Must include

caption

A document containing separately submitted attachments to a proposed entry must bear the specified notice title and be filed concurrently with the motion and proposed order or entry.

Applies to

Transcript request

A transcript must be ordered by submitting the court-approved Transcript Request form or a written request containing all required information, and no transcript will be prepared without such a request.

Service

Mail

Electronic return receipts may be used for certified mail service, and electronic proof of service for certified or express mail sent by the Court satisfies the applicable service requirements, but the use of electronic return receipts is optional.

Applies to

Motion

A motion requesting permission for counsel to withdraw must be served on all counsel of record and the withdrawing counsel's client.

Applies to

Initial complaint

Service

Court service

For an electronically filed complaint or third-party complaint, the Clerk issues a summons and serves the pleading according to the filing party's instructions.

A document is considered filed when the Clerk accepts it into the case record.

Subject to the deficiency-correction rule, an electronic document is filed upon submission regardless of the Portal's stamp date.

The Clerk must file specified initiating and appellate documents despite deficiencies and must notify the submitting party and assigned judge of those deficiencies.

Applies to

Criminal cause or civil action

A special projects fee, in addition to all other court costs, must be collected when filing each criminal cause or civil action in the General Division of Common Pleas Court.

Applies to

Pro se filing

The Clerk may scan and electronically file a pro se party's mailed documents only after all required deposits and filing fees have been paid.

Applies to

Document requiring filing fee

An electronically filed document requiring a fee, including a jury demand, may be rejected unless the fee is paid through the e-Filing Portal when filed.