Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

If final disposition is agreed and counsel cannot attend because of an emergency or scheduling conflict, counsel must email the judicial administrative assistant and copy the assigned assistant district attorney.

If an agreement for final disposition of a case has been reached, and counsel is unable to attend due to an emergency or scheduling conflict, counsel shall email the Judge’s judicial administrative assistant and copy the assistant district attorney assigned.

CRITICAL

Counsel for a represented defendant homeowner must notify the Diversion Program Coordinator of the representation.

S. If the defendant homeowner is represented by counsel in the mortgage foreclosure action, the defendant homeowner need not contact a housing counselor but, instead, counsel for the defendant homeowner shall notify the Diversion Program Coordinator of the legal representation and shall provide the loss mitigation package and workout proposal to the plaintiff, with a copy to the Diversion Program Coordinator, within the time deadlines set forth herein.

CRITICAL

A custody complaint, modification petition, special-relief request, or contempt petition seeking interim relief must be presented to the assigned Family Court Judge in Family Business Court.

Any complaint for custody, petition for modification, request for special relief or contempt petition containing a request for interim relief must be presented to the assigned Family Court Judge in Family Business Court.

CRITICAL

Counsel must remain near the courthouse during jury deliberations and give the bailiff a cell phone number.

Counsel must remain near courthouse during jury deliberations and provide their cell phone number to the bailiff.

CRITICAL

Counsel seeking to schedule argument must contact the Discovery Motions Judge’s chambers by telephone or email no later than noon on the Tuesday immediately before the requested court date.

Counsel seeking to list a motion for argument shall contact the Discovery Motions Judge chambers no later than noon on the Tuesday immediately preceding the requested court date by telephone or email to dmc@co.lancaster.pa.us.

CRITICAL

If an agreement is reached before the scheduled conciliation conference, the plaintiff must immediately notify the Diversion Program Coordinator so the conference may be cancelled.

R. If an agreement is reached through negotiations prior to the scheduled conciliation conference, the plaintiff shall (a) prepare any documents necessary to implement the agreement, (b) immediately notify the Diversion Program Coordinator of the agreement so the conciliation conference may be cancelled, and (c) take the necessary action to ensure the record reflects the resolution of the matter.

CRITICALCriminal cases

An ex parte motion that is permitted under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure and requires a court order must be submitted directly to the business judge or the assigned judge.

Motions which may be submitted ex parte pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure and which require a Court order shall be submitted directly to the business judge or the judge assigned to the case.

CRITICALCriminal cases

After filing a motion that requires a court conference, the moving party must schedule it with the business judge by contacting the judge’s chambers directly.

Upon filing any motion requiring a conference in the Court, the moving party shall schedule the conference with the business judge by communicating directly with such judge’s chambers.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

Phone

717-209-3290

To remain in the Program, the homeowner must call the Court within the next ten days.

To remain in the Program, you must call the Court at the number above within the next TEN (10) days.

CRITICAL

The Constable must first contact the court of the judge with the most warrants; if that judge cannot process them within one hour, the Constable must contact the judge with the next most warrants.

The Constable shall first contact the Magisterial District Court with the most issued warrants to process all the warrants for the defendant. If that Magisterial District Judge cannot process the warrants within one hour from the time he/she was contacted, the Constable shall contact the Magisterial District Judge with the next most issued warrants for the defendant.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A motion that may be submitted ex parte must be submitted to the business judge or the judge assigned to the case.

Motions which may be submitted ex-parte shall be submitted to the business judge or the judge to whom the case has been assigned.

CRITICALCriminal cases

3. The District Court Administrator shall give prompt notice of the

3. The District Court Administrator shall give prompt notice of the

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

A copy of the required motion must be emailed to the judicial administrative assistant and law clerk in the stated circumstances.

In an emergency situation or when counsel is unable to attend the status conference due to a scheduling conflict, and counsel has been unable to secure an agreement with the District Attorney’s Office prior to the status conference, a short written motion must be filed with a copy email to the Judge’s judicial administrative assistant with a copy to the Judge’s law clerk.

CRITICALCriminal cases

When a defendant is committed to the Lancaster County Prison pursuant to a bail piece, the Warden or designee must notify the District Court Administrator within 12 hours.

1. In all cases where the Defendant is lodged in the Lancaster County Prison pursuant to a bail piece, the Warden or his designee shall notify the District Court Administrator within twelve (12) hours of commitment.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

For non-jury cases, send requests for findings of fact and conclusions of law to the specified chambers email address.

In non-jury cases, requests for findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be submitted in electronic form in MS Word format to Judge_Brown_Chambers@lancastercountypacourt.gov.

CRITICAL

If no judge who issued a warrant is available, the on-call duty judge for the sector of the judge with the most warrants must process all outstanding warrants.

In the event that no Magisterial District Judge who issued a warrant is available, the on call duty Magisterial District Judge for the sector of the Magisterial District Judge with the most issued warrants shall process all outstanding warrants against the defendant.

CRITICAL

Scheduling a special relief hearing requires the assigned Judge’s approval.

B. The scheduling of a special relief hearing must be approved by the assigned Judge.

CRITICALCriminal cases

An unopposed motion must be submitted to the business judge or the judge assigned to the case.

The motion shall be submitted to the business judge or judge to whom the case has been assigned.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel unable to attend the Call of the List because counsel is attached for trial elsewhere must email a copy of the motion to the judicial administrative assistant and law clerk.

Should counsel be attached for trial elsewhere and unable to attend, a written motion must be filed with the court and a copy must be emailed to the Judge’s judicial administrative assistant and law clerk.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

Phone

717-209-3290

The homeowner is instructed to call the Court immediately.

Call the Court immediately at 717-209-3290.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Unless the judge orders otherwise, jury-instruction requests must be sent electronically to the listed chambers email address.

unless the judge orders otherwise, such requests shall be filed ten (10) days before commencement of the trial in electronic form in MS Word format to Judge_Brown_Chambers@lancastercountypacourt.gov

CRITICAL

A litigant requesting a transcript based on inability to pay due to economic hardship must direct the request to the President Judge for determination.

E. Any requests by a litigant for a transcript pursuant to R.J.A 4007(E) alleging inability to pay due to economic hardship must be directed to the President Judge for determination as provided in L.C.R.J.A. 4008(B).

CRITICAL

The Court may approve a special listing on a party’s motion; after approval, counsel must notify the District Court Administrator to schedule the hearing, and scheduling cannot occur without that notice.

A. Upon motion of a party, the Court may approve a special listing. Upon approval, counsel shall contact the District Court Administrator to schedule a hearing. The scheduling shall not occur unless the District Court Administrator is notified of the Court's decision by counsel.

CRITICAL

If a Constable contacts or appears at a Magisterial District Court with a defendant in custody without a warrant in hand and without Sheriff’s Office authorization to serve warrants, the Sheriff’s Office must be contacted immediately.

5. If a Constable contacts any Magisterial District Court or appears in any Magisterial District Court with a defendant in custody, without a warrant ‘in hand” and who has not been authorized by the Sheriff’s Office to serve warrants, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office must be contacted immediately.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

Phone

717-209-3290

To participate in the Program, the homeowner must call the Program Coordinator.

You must call the Program Coordinator at 717-209-3290

WARNINGCriminal cases

Motions and petitions, not otherwise covered by these Rules for presentation to the Court, shall be forwarded to the Business Judge by the Clerk of Courts or may be presented by counsel directly to the Business Judge by appointment.

Motions and petitions, not otherwise covered by these Rules for presentation to the Court, shall be forwarded to the Business Judge by the Clerk of Courts or may be presented by counsel directly to the Business Judge by appointment.

WARNING

Counsel should notify the court immediately upon hearing of any unavoidable and compelling professional or personal conflicts affecting the trial schedule.

Counsel should notify the court immediately upon hearing of any unavoidable and compelling professional or personal conflicts affecting the trial schedule.

WARNING

Requests to filing offices for copies of filed transcripts must be directed to and fulfilled solely by the Court Reporters’ Office.

Any requests to the filing offices for copies of filed transcripts shall be directed and produced solely by the Court Reporters’ Office.

WARNING

6. In the event that a defendant has been arrested on more than one warrant issued by different Magisterial District Judges, the Constable may take the defendant before any Magisterial District Judge who issued a warrant. That Magisterial District Judge is authorized to conduct a hearing on all of the warrants on which the defendant was arrested.

6. In the event that a defendant has been arrested on more than one warrant issued by different Magisterial District Judges, the Constable may take the defendant before any Magisterial District Judge who issued a warrant. That Magisterial District Judge is authorized to conduct a hearing on all of the warrants on which the defendant was arrested.

WARNING

Counsel may not call Chambers to seek an excuse from the Call of the List.

No telephone calls to Chambers seeking to be excused from the Call of the List will be accepted.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

A continuance motion is an emergency motion when it arises within two business days before trial or a hearing, and it may be submitted by hand delivery or email to the law clerk and judicial administrative assistant.

Emergency motions for a continuance are those occurring within two business days before a trial or hearing. Emergency motions may be submitted by hand delivery or email to the law clerk and judicial administrative assistant.

WARNING

Counsel may not call Chambers to seek an excuse from attending a status conference.

Telephone calls to Chambers seeking to be excused from attending a Status Conference will not be accepted.

WARNING

Other written communications about a case should be made through an authorized filing, not a letter, and the court will not respond to noncompliant correspondence.

All other written communications with the court concerning any case assigned to this court calendar should be done by the filing of a pleading, motion, application, brief, legal memorandum, rule returnable, rule to show cause or other filing provided for in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure or Lancaster County Local Rules. Do not write letters to the court that are properly the subject of these filings. The Court will not respond to any correspondence that fails to comply with this policy.

WARNING

The court strongly discourages contacting the law clerk or judicial assistant; civil case scheduling inquiries should go to Court Administration, and filing or case-file inquiries to the Prothonotary, whose website may answer many questions.

I strongly discourage communication with my law clerk and judicial assistant. Inquiries regarding civil cases should be directed to Court Administration (case scheduling) or the Prothonotary (filing or case file content). Many questions can be answered via the Prothonotary’s website which can be found at https://co.lancaster.pa.us/155/Prothonotary.gov .

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

If final disposition has already occurred, counsel may be excused from the Call of the List but must email the judicial administrative assistant the disposition and its date.

If a final disposition has already occurred, counsel may be excused from the Call of the List but shall email the Judge’s judicial administrative assistant with the final disposition and date of occurrence.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

Phone

717-299-8041

If the brochure and registration form are not attached, parties may call the District Court Administrator or access the form on the County website.

If a brochure and registration form are not attached, call the District Court Administrator at 717-299-8041 or access the form on the County website which is www.co.lancaster.pa.us/Courts.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel should email a copy of proposed jury instructions to chambers in electronic MS Word format.

Counsel should submit a copy of the proposed jury instructions to chambers via electronic mail at Judge_Brown_Chambers@lancastercountypacourt.gov in electronic form in MS Word format.

WARNING

Other written communications should be made through an authorized court filing rather than a letter; the court will not respond to noncompliant correspondence and will forward it to the Prothonotary.

All other written communications with the court concerning any case assigned to my calendar should be done by the filing of a pleading, motion, application, brief, legal memorandum, rule returnable, rule to show cause, or other similar filing provided for in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure or our Local Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure. Do not write letters to the court that are properly the subject of these filings. The Court will not respond to any correspondence that fails to comply with this policy and will merely forward such correspondence to the Prothonotary.

WARNING

The trial date is set at the scheduling conference or, if not set then, at the pretrial conference; scheduling questions should be directed to Judge Brown’s judicial assistant or law clerk.

A date for trial will be determined at the scheduling conference or pretrial conference if not set at the scheduling conference. Questions relating to scheduling matters should be directed to Judge Brown’s judicial assistant or law clerk.

WARNING

Counsel needing translators must contact the Language Access Coordinator or may use privately retained certified translators.

Counsel are responsible for contacting the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas Language Access Coordinator if translators are needed or may utilize privately retained translators provided that they are certified.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

They should be submitted to chambers on hard copy and via electronic mail in MS Word format at Judge_Brown_Chambers@lancastercountypacourt.gov.

They should be submitted to chambers on hard copy and via electronic mail in MS Word format at Judge_Brown_Chambers@lancastercountypacourt.gov.

WARNING

Communication with the judge’s law clerk and judicial administrative assistant is discouraged; scheduling inquiries should go to Court Administration or the Prothonotary.

Communication with the judge’s law clerk and judicial administrative assistant is discouraged and inquiries regarding scheduling should be directed to Court Administration (case scheduling) or to the Prothonotary.

WARNING

Counsel who believe a final pre-trial conference is needed must first ascertain several dates and times from opposing counsel, then contact Chambers.

If counsel for either party believes a final pre-trial conference is required prior to the morning of trial, they shall contact Chambers after ascertaining from opposing counsel several possible dates and times that counsel are available to attend.

WARNING

Do not send letters or counsel-to-counsel correspondence to the court, except for the listed circumstances.

Please do not write letters directly to the court or send or designate copies of correspondence among and between counsel to the court, except: (1) When letters of transmittal accompany documents required by the court to be sent to or filed with the court; (2) When counsel are specifically requested by the court to communicate some information to the court by letter; (3) When counsel are filing a joint request of the court to reschedule or resolve a matter; (4) When the participation of counsel in the case is expected to be affected by a personal matter concerning counsel, a party, a witness, or counsel’s immediate family, such as medical problems, vacation plans, or other similar personal problems or question; or (5) To confirm or advise the court that a case has been settled, dismissed, or otherwise finally disposed.

WARNING

Counsel must not send letters or copies of counsel correspondence directly to the court except for the five stated circumstances.

Please do not write letters directly to the court, or send or designate copies of correspondence among and between counsel to the court, except: (1) When letters of transmittal accompany documents required by the court to be sent to or filed with the court or with another official office in the courthouse; (2) When counsel are specifically requested by the court to communicate some information to the court by letter; (3) When counsel are filing a joint request of the court to schedule or resolve a matter; (4) When the participation of counsel in the case is expected to be affected by a personal matter concerning counsel, a party, a witness, or counsel’s immediate family, such as medical problems, vacation plans, or other similar personal problems or questions; or (5) To confirm or advise the court that a case has been settled, dismissed, or otherwise finally disposed.

INFO

Contact

Email

For help or questions, email cddp@lancastercountypa.gov.

For help, or if you have questions, call: 717-209-3290 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. OR e-mail cddp@lancastercountypa.gov

INFO

To request a no-cost interpreter, inform court staff using the contact information at the top of the notice.

English: You have the right to an inte1preter at no cost to you. To request an interpreter, please inform court staff using the contact infonnation provided at the top of this notice.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

An emergency continuance motion and proposed order may be submitted to chambers by email or hand delivery.

Any emergency motion and proposed order may be submitted to chambers by email (Judge_Brown_Chambers@lancastercountypacourt.gov ), or hand delivery.

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

When written communication cannot timely address a problem, counsel may call chambers about the listed matters, including scheduling, witness attendance, exhibits, discovery-call arrangements, and absolutely necessary filing extensions.

When a written communication concerning a case cannot timely address a problem, counsel may initiate necessary telephone communications with my chambers. Issues appropriately addressed by telephone contact include: (1) Scheduling of conferences or proceedings, including pretrial and trial conferences; (2) Attendance of witnesses; (3) Exhibit handling or arrangements for video replay; (4) Arrangements for telephone conferences regarding discovery disputes; and (5) Requests for absolutely necessary extensions of time to file any response, reply, brief, memorandum of law, or the like.

INFO

Phone

717 299 8070

Chambers may be contacted through Judicial Administrative Assistant Amelia Valentin using the listed phone number or email address.

Chambers can be contacted through: Judicial Administrative Assistant Amelia Valentin 717 299 8070 Valentina@lancastercountypa.gov

INFO

Contact

Email

Questions about completing the form may be directed to the Program Coordinator by email at the listed address.

Any questions regarding the completion of this form can be directed to the Program Coordinator at: Call: (717) 209-3290 or Email: cddp@lancastercountypa.gov

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

717-209-3290

Before judgment is entered, a homeowner may request reinstatement of conciliation by contacting the Program Coordinator by phone or email.

Prior to the entry of judgment, you have the right to request that the Program Coordinator reinstate conciliation. To make such a request, contact the Program Coordinator at 717-209-3290 or at cddp@lancastercountypa.gov.

INFO

Contact

Email

A defendant homeowner may opt in to free housing-counseling assistance by emailing or calling the Diversion Program Coordinator.

the Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program. Defendant may subsequently opt in for free assistance from a housing counseling agency by notifying the Diversion Program Coordinator at cddp@lancastercountypa.gov or by calling 717.209.3290.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

717-209-3290

For help or questions, call 717-209-3290 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For help, or if you have questions, call: 717-209-3290 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

INFO

Contact

Email

Questions about completing the form may be directed to the Program Coordinator by email.

Any questions regarding the completion of this form can be directed to the Program Coordinator at: (717) 209-3290 or cddp@lancastercountypa.gov

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Counsel may call chambers when written communication cannot timely address a case-related problem.

When a written communication concerning a case cannot timely address a problem, counsel may initiate necessary telephone communications with chambers.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

(717) 209-3290

Questions about completing the form may be directed to the Program Coordinator by phone.

Any questions regarding the completion of this form can be directed to the Program Coordinator at: (717) 209-3290

INFO

Counsel may contact Chambers to check the status of any filed motion.

Always provide chambers with a courtesy copy of any motions that have been filed and do not hesitate to contact chambers to check the status of any motion that has been filed.

INFO

Phone

717 299 8073

Chambers may be contacted through Law Clerk Tamara E. Hogan using the listed phone number or email address.

or Law Clerk Tamara E. Hogan, Esquire 717 299 8073 Tahogan@lancastercountypa.gov

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

When counsel has a prior agreement with the District Attorney’s Office about a case’s status or disposition, counsel may email the judicial administrative assistant and copy the assigned district attorney.

When there is a prior agreement with the District Attorney’s Office regarding the status or disposition of a case, such as pending ARD, veterans’ court, or drug court, or the like, counsel may notify chambers by emailing the Judge’s judicial administrative assistant and cc to the assigned district attorney.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

(717) 209-3290

Questions about completing the form may be directed to the Program Coordinator by calling the listed number.

Any questions regarding the completion of this form can be directed to the Program Coordinator at: Call: (717) 209-3290

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

717-209-3290

Call the Court at 717-209-3290 to learn more about the program.

CALL THE COURT NOW at 717-209-3290 TO LEARN MORE