Cambridge Municipal Court, Ohio Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint or third party complaint

The filing party must file a case designation sheet when submitting a complaint or third-party complaint for electronic filing.

When any complaint or third-party complaint is submitted for electronic filing, the filing party shall file a case designation sheet.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation or other document requiring multiple signatures

For a document requiring multiple signatures, the submitter must sign it, affirm and indicate the other signers’ agreement, identify the other signatories with written authorization, and submit it electronically.

When a stipulation or other document requires two or more signatures: 1. The submitting party or attorney shall sign the stipulation or document himself or herself as follows: “/s/John Smith”. 2. The submitting party or attorney shall then include an affirmation that the contents of the document are acceptable to all persons required to sign the document. The submitter shall indicate the agreement of all other counsel and/or parties at the appropriate place in the document, usually on the signature line. 3. The submitting party or attorney shall then submit the document electronically, identifying all of the other signatories as follows: “/s/ Jane Doe, with written authorization, by John Smith,” etc.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Facsimile

An exhibit that cannot be accurately transmitted by facsimile must be represented by an insert page describing the exhibit and why it is missing.

Each exhibit to a facsimile that cannot be accurately transmitted via facsimile for any reason must be replaced by an insert page describing the exhibit and why it is missing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Every motion must include a proposed entry; omission may delay a ruling or result in denial.

B. All motions shall be accompanied with a proposed entry. Failure to supply a proposed entry may delay the Court ruling on such motion or may result in the motion being denied.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Traffic or criminal docket filing

A written complaint, E-ticket, or Uniform Traffic Ticket must be filed before an individual's name is placed on the traffic/criminal docket.

A. The Clerk of Court shall require the filing of a written complaint, E-ticket, or Uniform Traffic Ticket before placing an individual's name on the traffic/criminal docket.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Remote appearance request form

Parties requesting permission to appear remotely must submit a completed Remote Appearance Request Form.

To request permission for remote appearance, parties must submit a completed Remote Appearance Request Form, available on the Court’s website: https://cambridgeoh.org/court/. The completed form must be submitted to videoappearances@cambridgemunicipalcourt.com.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Default judgment motion

After notice to the plaintiff, failure to file a motion for default results in dismissal of the complaint for want of prosecution.

Upon notice to the plaintiff, failure to file a motion for default shall result in dismissal of the complaint for want of prosecution.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to certify case

A party filing a counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party complaint exceeding the court's monetary jurisdiction must also file a motion to certify the case to the Court of Common Pleas.

It shall be the responsibility of any party filing a counterclaim, crossclaim or third-party complaint exceeding the monetary jurisdiction of the court to also file a motion to certify the case to the Court of Common Pleas.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

A continuance request based on a conflicting trial date must include the conflicting trial notice, or the motion will be denied.

If counsel is alleging a conflicting trial date as the reason for continuance, the conflicting trial notice MUST be attached to the notice. Failure to attach a copy of the conflicting hearing shall result in a denial of said motion to continue.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Default judgment motion

A default-judgment motion must include an affidavit proving damages and, for an account-based case, the account statement, proof of no subsequent payments, and proof of all account assignments or transfers.

Motions for default judgement shall be supported by an affidavit of proof of damages. For cases based on an account, the account statement must be submitted, along with proof by affidavit that no subsequent payments have been made on the account and proof of all assignments/transfers of the account.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit

Must include

caption, judge name, case number

A separately filed missing exhibit must have a cover sheet identifying the court, case, case number, judge, and exhibit title, and the filing must be signed and served under the rules for pleadings.

Any exhibit filed in this manner shall be attached to a cover sheet containing the caption of the case which sets forth the name of the court, caption of the case, the case number, name of the judge and the title of the exhibit being filed (e.g., Plaintiff Smith’s Notice of Filing Exhibit “G” with Plaintiff Smith’s Response to Defendants Motion to Dismiss), and shall be signed and served in conformance with the rules governing the signing and service of pleadings in this Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury demand

A civil jury demand must be made under Ohio Civil Rule 38 and submitted in writing as a separate instrument.

Any party desiring a jury trial in a civil case must demand the same in accordance with Rule 38 of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure. The jury demand must be in writing by separate instrument.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court filing

Attorneys, but not pro se litigants, must identify themselves as trial counsel on court filings, and a law firm may not be designated as trial counsel.

Attorneys practicing before this Court (except for pro se litigants) shall designate their capacity as trial counsel on all pleadings, motions, petitions, etc. filed in this Court. A law firm shall not be designated as trial counsel.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Unless made during a hearing or trial, a motion must be in writing.

A. All motions, unless made during a hearing or trial, shall be in writing and accompanied by a memorandum stating the grounds for the motion and citing relevant authorities.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial release or detention recommendations

The State's pretrial release or detention recommendations must address all statutory, constitutional, and criminal-rule considerations, including those in Ohio Revised Code Section 2937.011.

The State shall be prepared to make recommendations to the Court which address all statutory, constitutional, and criminal rule pretrial release or detention considerations, including those listed in Ohio Revised Code Section 2937.011.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial results notice

Defense counsel must notify the Court in writing of the pretrial results.

Counsel for the Defendant shall notify the Court, in writing, the results of the pretrial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Juror questionnaire

Prospective jurors must complete and return the questionnaire in its entirety using the provided envelope, and the Court must receive it within five days of receipt.

The questionnaire must be completed in its entirety and returned to the Court using the self-address envelope provided. The competed questionnaire must be received by the Court within five (5) days of receipt.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Every motion must include a proposed entry; failure to provide one may delay a ruling or result in denial.

E. All motions shall be accompanied with a proposed entry. Failure to supply a proposed entry may delay the Court ruling on such motion or may result in the motion being denied.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Criminal complaint and summons

An officer electronically signing a criminal complaint and summons must have the signature attested to by a peace officer, judge, clerk, or deputy clerk for the document to be considered certified.

2. A law enforcement officer who files a criminal complaint and summons pursuant to this rule and electronically affixes the officer’s signature thereto, shall also have his/her signature attested to by either a peace officer, judge, clerk, or deputy clerk after which the complaint and summons shall be considered to have been certified and shall have the same rights, responsibilities, and liabilities as with all other criminal complaints and summons issued.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal motion

After appearing, an attorney may withdraw only with leave of court or notice of substitution, and withdrawal requires a written motion stating the reasons, identifying any substitute attorney, and proving notification to opposing counsel and the client.

Once an appearance is made, an attorney may withdraw from a case only with leave of court or notice of substitution of counsel. Withdrawal shall be permitted only upon written motion filed with the court. The motion shall include (1) the specific reasons for requesting withdrawal; (2) the name and address of a substitute attorney, if any; and (3) proof of notification to the opposing attorney and to the client.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial release or detention recommendations

In cases alleging offenses of violence or sexually oriented offenses, the State's recommendations must specifically address victim protection and public safety.

The State shall specifically address the issues of victim protection and public safety in all cases alleging offenses of violence or sexually oriented offenses.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Facsimile filing cover page

Must include

caption, judge name, page count +1 more

A fax filing must include a cover page with the specified case, document, transmission, judge, page-count, and filer information.

D. Fax Cover Page: The person filing a document by fax shall also include a cover page containing all the following information: 1. The case caption; 2. The case number; 3. The title of the document being filed (e.g. Defendant Jones Answer to Amended Complaint; Plaintiff Smith’s Response to Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss); 4. The date of the fax transmission; 5. The transmitting facsimile number; 6. The name of the judge to whom the case is assigned, if any; 7. The number of pages included in the transmission, including the cover page; 8. The name, address, telephone number, fax number, Supreme Court registration number, if applicable, and e-mail address of the person filing the document, if available.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Compensation request

Compensation requests must use accurately completed prescribed Ohio Public Defender forms and be submitted to the Court within 30 days after counsel’s withdrawal or case termination, whichever occurs first.

All requests for compensation for payment shall be made by accurately completing the prescribed Ohio Public Defender forms and submitting them to the Court within thirty (30) days after withdrawal by counsel or termination of the case, whichever is sooner.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written notice

A party or counsel aware of a need for interpretive services must notify the Court in writing within seven days after assignment of the trial date and identify the needed language.

C. Any party, or counsel for any party, who is aware that there is a need for interpretive services shall notify the Court of that need in writing no later than seven (7) days following assignment of trial date. Written notice shall include the specific language needed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Juror questionnaire

A juror whose physical condition would prevent service must submit a statement from a doctor.

***IF YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL CONDITION THAT WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM SERVING, YOU MUST SUBMIT A STATEMENT FROM YOUR DOCTOR.***

CRITICAL

Applies to

Signed document filed by fax or email

A party filing a signed document by fax or email represents that the physically signed original is in their possession or control.

I. A party who files a signed document by fax or email represents that the physically signed source document is in his/her possession or control.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for leave to apply for a writ

When judgment is more than thirty but less than sixty days old, the plaintiff must file a motion for leave to apply for a writ.

2. Where the judgment is more than thirty (30) days old, but less than sixty (60) days old, plaintiff must file a Motion for Leave to Apply for a Writ and serve a copy of the motion on the defendant(s).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit of indigency

Appointed counsel must obtain a supporting affidavit of indigency from each alleged indigent defendant using Ohio Public Defender form OPD-206R.

Appointed counsel shall obtain from each alleged indigent defendant an affidavit of indigency setting forth the facts in support. Ohio Public Defender form OPD-206R shall be utilized.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to continue

A motion to continue a hearing date must include supporting documentation.

Supporting documentation shall be attached to any motions to continue the hearing date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Electronic media evidence

DVD or flash-drive evidence must be brought to the final pretrial to check compatibility with court equipment.

Electronic Media Evidence (DVD/flash drive) shall be brought to the final pretrial so that compatibility with court equipment can be determined.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Journal entry

When ordered by the Court, counsel for the prevailing party must prepare a proper Journal Entry and submit it to the Court.

The Court shall prepare Journal Entries. However, when ordered by the Court, counsel for the party in whose favor an entry, order, judgment, or decree is entered, shall prepare a proper Journal Entry and submit it to the Court within fourteen (14) days of the order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial supervision agreement

A defendant placed on pretrial supervision must review and sign the agreement stating the supervision requirements.

The defendant will review and sign pretrial supervision agreement setting forth all requirements of supervision.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury instructions

Each party must file a complete set of jury instructions suitable for charging the jury by the scheduled Final Pretrial.

Each party shall file a complete set of instructions suitable for charging the jury in the captioned matter no later than the day of the scheduled Final Pretrial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Cognovit promissory note action

Cognovit promissory note actions must be filed as original documents.

A. Applicability: These rules apply to all proceedings in the Cambridge Municipal Court, except cognovit promissory note actions which must be filed as the original document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pro hac vice appearance

Attorneys appearing pro hac vice must comply with Ohio Gov. Bar Rule XII's certification requirements and familiarize themselves with the local rules.

Attorneys who wish to appear pro hac vice must comply with Ohio Gov. Bar R. XII regarding pro hac vice certification and familiarize themselves with these local rules.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Appointed counsel list removal notice

An attorney seeking removal from the appointed counsel list must notify the Court Administrator in writing.

Attorneys who desire to be removed from the appointed counsel list shall notify the Court Administrator in writing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Application for sealing of court records

Applications to seal court records must use the form approved by the Court.

Applications for Sealing of Court Records shall be made on the form approved by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Facsimile filing

A document filed by fax must be accepted as the effective original filing.

2. A document filed by fax shall be accepted as the effective original filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document pleading or motion

Must include

ai disclosure

Attorneys and parties must disclose AI use in submitted documents and provide a certificate with the document describing the technology and its role, and attesting to human accuracy review of generative-AI language.

C. Attorneys and parties must disclose the use of any AI-assisted technology in the creation or editing of all documents, pleadings, and motions submitted to the court. A certificate shall be provided when the document is submitted, notifying the court that a portion or all of the document was drafted by generative AI (such as ChatGPT, Harvey.AI, or Google Bard). The certification shall include a general description of the AI technology used and its role in the preparation of the materials, together with an attestation that all language drafted by generative artificial intelligence has been checked for accuracy using traditional legal resources by a human being.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Forcible entry and detainer complaint

A Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint must state the grounds for eviction and include a copy of the notice required by ORC § 1923.04.

A complaint in Forcible Entry and Detainer shall be filed and shall set forth the grounds for the eviction and shall be accompanied by a copy of the notice under ORC § 1923.04.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

An attorney filing a continuance motion must include a proposed entry.

In the event such continuance is filed by an attorney, a proposed entry MUST accompany the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written not guilty plea

A written plea of not guilty is subject to the Judge's approval.

A Written Plea of Not Guilty is subject to approval by the Judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Courtroom recording permission request

A request for permission to broadcast, record, photograph, or televise in the courtroom must be submitted in writing on the Court's motion form as early as reasonably practical and at least one-half hour before the session, unless the trial Judge permits otherwise.

Requests for permission to broadcast, record, photograph or televise in the courtroom shall be made in writing to the Judge or Magistrate to whom the case is assigned as far in advance as reasonably practical by a motion form available at the Court, but no later than one-half (1/2) hour prior to the courtroom session unless otherwise permitted by the trial Judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint or third party complaint

The filing party must file instructions for service.

Consistent with the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, the filing party shall also file instructions for service

CRITICAL

Prior approval from the City Law Director is required.

Prior approval from the City Law Director is required.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Except for motions made during a hearing or trial, motions must be written and accompanied by a memorandum stating their grounds and citing relevant authorities.

All motions, unless made during a hearing or trial, shall be in writing and accompanied by a memorandum stating the grounds for the motion and citing relevant authorities.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Facsimile source document and cover sheet

The filer must keep the source document and cover sheet available for Court inspection until the case is closed and all post-judgment relief opportunities are exhausted.

3. The original (source) document and cover sheet filed by facsimile shall be maintained by the person making the filing and made available for inspection by the Court upon request. The document and cover sheet shall be maintained until the case is closed and all opportunities for post judgement relief are exhausted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Plea

Conditions of bond must be submitted with the plea.

Conditions of bond shall be submitted with the plea.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court filing

Court filings must include trial counsel's original signature, name, office address, telephone, fax, email, and Ohio Supreme Court Certificate of Registration number.

All such documents shall bear, in addition to the original signature of trial counsel, counsel's name, office address, office telephone number, fax and email, as well as the number of counsel's Ohio Supreme Court Certificate of Registration, as provided by Ohio Gov. Bar R. VI, § 4.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil document

Civil documents must be signed in compliance with Civil Rule 11.

Civil documents must be signed in compliance with Civil Rule 11.