Judge Mary L. Stitsinger

Applies to

Written not guilty plea

With Law Department approval, a defendant through counsel may waive formal arraignment without appearing in order to enter a written not-guilty plea.

Applies to

Complaint and subsequent pleadings or motions

Must include

caption, case number

Complaints must identify each party by name and known address in the caption; subsequent pleadings and motions must state the case number and first plaintiff and defendant on each side, and pleadings joining new parties must identify each new party by name and known address in the caption.

Applies to

Pleading motion brief or other paper

Every filed pleading, motion, brief, or other paper must have a title and identify the filing attorney and specified contact information, or identify the filing party if unrepresented.

For evening or weekend proceedings, the Court accepts filings only in cases scheduled for that specific hearing.

Documents filed by mail are deemed filed on the date the Clerks receive them.

A document filed by fax is deemed received for filing when it is received by the Clerks.

Documents must be served on the prosecutor or opposing party under the applicable civil or criminal rule, and the filed document must show proof of service or it may be struck.

When an electronic citation or ticket is issued at the scene, the issuing officer must provide the defendant with a paper copy.

Once counsel has appeared, filed documents, court orders, and motions must be served on designated counsel or the party’s representative.

Pleadings and motions must be legibly typewritten or printed on paper sized as stated in the rule.

For good cause, Clerks may waive the formal requirements in the interest of justice for an unrepresented party in small claims, forcible entry and detainer, or other cases or proceedings.

A signature made by another person and initialed by the person signing the document is not permitted.