Judge Jennifer L. Branch
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Plan
Pretrial Motion
- Hand Delivery • Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Continuance motions must be written, state the grounds, and be filed at least seven days before trial or hearing; a continuance requires good cause.
- After the parties select a trial date at the DSC, a continuance will not be granted without diligent preparation efforts and unexpected and unavoidable circumstances requiring the change.
- If no defendant has been served 21 days before the CMC, Plaintiff must move to postpone it and explain the planned service efforts and expected service timeframe.
- Once set, dispositive-motion briefing, pretrial, and trial dates will not be extended without diligent preparation efforts, unexpected and unavoidable circumstances, and proof of client consent stated in the motion.
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Request must include
Communication
Chambers
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Document Filing Requirements14 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Motions Regarding Bond must be in writing and filed at least ten calendar days before the hearing.
DocumentBond Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Motions to Continue must be filed in writing at least seven days before the trial or hearing and state the grounds.
DocumentContinuance Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A motion shall state in the caption when the motion is unopposed.
DocumentMotion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Pretrial Statements are Required in All Trials (Criminal and Civil).
DocumentPretrial Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Counsel for the State and the Defendant must file sentencing a memorandum five business days before sentencing in Special Felony, Felony 1, and Felony 2 cases where the parties do not recommend an agreed sentence. The memorandum must address all relevant factors the Court should consider at sentencing.
DocumentSentencing Memorandum
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A Pretrial Statement alerts the Court that the parties are ready for trial and the issues the parties intend to be tried. A Pretrial Statement includes a list of potential witnesses, exhibits, motions in limine, jury instructions not included in OJI, the status of settlement, and any issues unique to the case.
DocumentPretrial Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
The parties are to submit Joint Proposed Jury Instructions one week before trial unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Parties are to work together to submit joint jury instructions.
DocumentJury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Once Judge Branch sets a bond, all motions to modify the bond conditions must state the changed circumstance necessitating the motion.
DocumentBond Modification Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Plaintiff’s counsel, all counsel, and self-represented litigants must file a Notification Form immediately upon representation, provide direct phone, email, and current mailing address, and file a new form whenever that information changes.
Plaintiff counsel and all counsel and self-represented (pro se) litigants must file a Notification Form immediately upon representation. This form gives the Court and all parties the ability to contact counsel/parties directly. Be sure to include your direct dial phone number and email address as well as current mailing address. File a new Notification Form whenever any contact information changes.
DocumentNotification Form
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Each party must file a Trial Brief two weeks before a bench trial, in lieu of jury instructions, addressing facts, law, stipulations, and legal issues related to claims, defenses, and remedies.
Each party is required to file a Trial Brief two weeks before the bench trial. A Trial Brief is filed in lieu of jury instructions. Include in the brief: a statement of the facts or proposed findings of fact; a discussion of controlling law or proposed conclusions of law; stipulations; and briefing on legal issues related to claims, defenses, and remedies.
DocumentTrial Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Unless otherwise ordered, Counsel and all parties and persons with authority must be present at the FPTC.
DocumentPretrial Conference
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Motions to modify bond shall be in writing and filed and served on the State at least 10 days in advance of the next scheduled court date so the victim(s), if any, can be notified of the motion.
DocumentBond Modification Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A Pretrial Statement alerts the Court that the parties are ready for trial and the issues the parties intend to be tried. A Pretrial Statement includes a list of potential witnesses, exhibits, motions in limine, jury instructions not included in OJI, the status of settlement, and any issues unique to the case
DocumentPretrial Statement
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
Sentencing memoranda are appreciated in all other cases.
DocumentSentencing Memorandum
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Bond motions must be filed at least ten calendar days before the hearing.
Motions Regarding Bond must be in writing and filed at least ten calendar days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Parties and Pleadings
Pretrial Statements must be filed two weeks before the FPTC.
Pretrial Statements are due 2 weeks before the FPTC.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Final Pretrial Conference (FPTC)
Motions in limine must be filed one week before the final pretrial conference; oppositions are due one week later, unless the Court orders otherwise.
Motions in limine are required to be filed one week before the final pretrial conference, and memorandum in opposition are due one week thereafter, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal Docket — Final Pretrial Conference
The parties must file an Ohio Civil Rule 26(f) case plan no later than five business days before the initial CMC.
No later than 5 business days before the initial CMC, the parties shall file a case plan pursuant to the Ohio R. Civ. Proc. 26(f).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Preparing for the Initial Case Management Conference
For opposed bond modifications, the State is encouraged to file a responsive memorandum at least three business days before the hearing.
When bond modifications are opposed, the State is encouraged to file a responsive memorandum at least three business days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal Docket — Bond
Pretrial motions filed after the stated deadline require the Court’s permission for late filing.
Motions filed after the above deadline must first receive permission from the Court for late filing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Parties and Pleadings
Motions to suppress must be filed 35 days after arraignment or seven days before trial, whichever comes first.
Motions to Suppress shall be filed 35 days after arraignment or no later than seven days before trial pursuant to Rule 12(D) of Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure, whichever is earlier.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Parties and Pleadings
Pretrial motions must be filed no later than one week before the final pretrial conference, subject to an incomplete alternative deadline in the order.
All pretrial motions shall be filed no later than 1 week before the final pretrial conference or ________.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Parties and Pleadings
Pretrial statements are mandatory in all criminal cases and due two weeks before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Pretrial statements are mandatory in all cases and are due 2 weeks before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Criminal Docket — Final Pretrial Conference
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The plaintiff must complete service on at least one defendant within six months or the case may be dismissed sua sponte for lack of prosecution.
Plaintiff has 6 months to complete service on at least 1 defendant before the case may be dismissed sua sponte for lack of prosecution.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL DOCKET CASES
The Prosecutor must notify and confer with all victims before each court date.
The Prosecutor is required to notify and confer with all victims before each court date.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal Docket — Court Dates
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The moving party must hand-deliver a copy of pretrial motions to the Court on the filing date.
The moving party must hand-deliver a copy of pretrial motions to the Court on the date of filing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Parties and Pleadings
A courtesy copy of the case-plan report must be emailed to the Court’s Staff Attorney.
A courtesy copy of the report shall be emailed to the Court’s Staff Attorney.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Preparing for the Initial Case Management Conference
Filing Bundling Requirements
Trial Briefs must be submitted simultaneously, so parties should anticipate the opposing party’s legal issues.
Since Trial Briefs shall be submitted simultaneously, parties should anticipate the opposing party’s legal issues.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | All Cases – Civil and Criminal
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuance motions must be written, state the grounds, and be filed at least seven days before trial or hearing; a continuance requires good cause.
Motions to Continue must be filed in writing at least seven days before the trial or hearing and state the grounds. No continuance will be granted without good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Parties and Pleadings
After the parties select a trial date at the DSC, a continuance will not be granted without diligent preparation efforts and unexpected and unavoidable circumstances requiring the change.
Once the parties select the trial date at the DSC, no continuance of the trial date will be granted absent a showing of diligent efforts to prepare the case and the occurrence of unexpected and unavoidable circumstances requiring the change.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal Docket — Case Scheduling Order
Once set, dispositive-motion briefing, pretrial, and trial dates will not be extended without diligent preparation efforts, unexpected and unavoidable circumstances, and proof of client consent stated in the motion.
Once set, the dispositive motion briefing dates, pretrial conference, and trial dates WILL NOT BE EXTENDED absent a showing of diligent efforts to prepare the case, the occurrence of unexpected and unavoidable circumstances requiring the change, and proof of the client’s consent. This means the moving party/parties must affirmatively state in the motion to continue that their client(s) consents to the filing of the motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Case Scheduling Order
Unopposed extensions that do not change the dispositive-motion deadline, final pretrial conference, or trial date will routinely be granted.
Unopposed motions for extensions of time will routinely be granted when the extension does not change the dispositive motion deadline, final pretrial conference, or the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Motion for Extensions of time
If no defendant has been served 21 days before the CMC, Plaintiff must move to postpone it and explain the planned service efforts and expected service timeframe.
If service on at least 1 defendant has not been accomplished 21 days prior to the CMC, Plaintiff is required to file a motion to postpone the CMC to a date after which service is expected to be accomplished and explain what Plaintiff plans to do to obtain service and how long that service is expected to take.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Case Management Conferences (CMC)
Chambers Communication Rules
Do not contact court staff by social media, text, or phone about pending matters.
Communications with court staff on social media, text, or phone about matters pending before the Court are not permitted.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | All Cases – Civil and Criminal
Ex parte communications with the Judge and staff are prohibited, subject to stated exceptions; email is preferred and must include all attorneys and unrepresented parties.
Ex parte communications with the Judge and her Staff are prohibited unless all parties consent or the matter involves being late to court, directions, or videoconferencing technical assistance. The preferred method of communication with court staff is email and you must include all attorneys and unrepresented parties on each email.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | All Cases – Civil and Criminal
Counsel may email the Staff Attorney, copying all counsel, to alert the Court that a pending motion needs a prompt ruling.
Counsel may email the Staff Attorney (and copy all counsel) to alert the Court when a motion is pending that needs a prompt ruling.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Motion for Extensions of time
If a motion has been ripe for more than 60 days, email Court staff that it remains pending and copy all parties.
Once a motion has been ripe for more than 60 days, please email Court staff that a motion remains pending and copy all parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | All Cases – Civil and Criminal
Before the jury trial date, parties may email the Court’s Bailiff, copying all counsel, to determine the case’s docket status.
Please email the Court’s Bailiff (and copy all counsel) prior to the jury trial date to determine the status of your case on the docket.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Criminal Docket — Jury Trials
Parties may email the Staff Attorney before trial to inquire about the case’s status on the docket.
You are welcome to email the staff attorney before the trial date to inquire of the status of your case on the docket.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Jury and Bench Trials
The moving party may email Court staff when an unopposed motion is ripe for decision.
The moving party is permitted to email Court staff when an unopposed motion is ripe for decision.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | All Cases – Civil and Criminal