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

CRITICAL

The objecting party must contact the Court Administrator’s office to order the transcript of the proceedings.

You must contact this office and order the transcript of the proceedings

CRITICAL

A proponent must give the Court reasonable notice before a proceeding if intending to offer a weapon, contraband, or hazardous materials into evidence.

If a proponent intends to offer a weapon, contraband, or hazardous materials into evidence, the proponent shall provide reasonable notice to the Court prior to the court proceeding

CRITICALCriminal cases

Contact

Letter fax to duty judge

Arresting officers must fax the criminal complaint and affidavit to the on-call Magisterial District Judge before the preliminary arraignment.

Arresting officers are responsible for the delivery of the criminal complaint and affidavit via facsimile to the on-call Magisterial District Judge prior to the preliminary arraignment.

CRITICAL

If minimum notice cannot be given to an interested party, the moving party must immediately notify the Civil Division.

In the event minimum notice cannot be afforded to any interested parties, the moving party shall immediately notify the Office of the Court Administrator – Civil Division.

CRITICAL

A transporting agency may refuse transport under the stated health or mask conditions and must immediately notify the assigned judge.

The Sheriff, or his deputies, or any other transporting agency, may refuse to transport an individual who is visibly ill, exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or who refuses to wear a mask, and shall immediately notify the assigned judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

Court approval is required to present a case only on briefs, and the request must be made to the Court Administrator at least five days before argument.

Prior approval of the Court must be obtained to present cases only on briefs. Any request is to be made to the Court Administrator no less than five (5) days prior to argument.

CRITICAL

A proponent intending to offer a weapon, contraband, or hazardous materials into evidence must give the Court reasonable notice before the proceeding.

If a proponent intends to offer a weapon, contraband, or hazardous materials into evidence, the proponent shall provide reasonable notice to the Court prior to the court proceeding.

WARNINGCivil cases

Note: If there is a question concerning an individual’s authority to access records under this subsection, the Register/Clerk is to seek guidance from the President Judge, District Court Administrator, or the judge to whom the case is assigned.

Note: If there is a question concerning an individual’s authority to access records under this subsection, the Register/Clerk is to seek guidance from the President Judge, District Court Administrator, or the judge to whom the case is assigned.

WARNING

Contact the court office for accessibility information; arrangements must be made at least 72 hours before a hearing.

For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the Court, please contact our office. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing.

WARNINGCriminal cases

For Protection from Abuse cases, subpoena requests must be directed to the judge of the term designated under the Administrative Regulations based on the request date.

Requests for subpoena shall be made to the judge of the term for Protection from Abuse cases as designated in the Administrative Regulations, based on the date of the request.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact the Court’s office about accessible facilities or accommodations, and make all arrangements at least 72 hours before a hearing.

For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the Court, please contact our office. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing.

WARNING

An appointed arbitrator who cannot serve must notify the Court Administrator at least five days before the hearing, unless prevented by matters beyond the arbitrator’s control.

If an appointed arbitrator cannot serve at the time and place designated, the attorney shall, unless otherwise prevented by matters beyond his or her control, notify the Court Administrator at least five (5) days in advance of the date upon which the hearing has been scheduled.

WARNING

People excluded or removed for health concerns must be given contact information to conduct essential court business during the judicial emergency.

Any person excluded or removed for health concerns shall be provided with information (telephone number or email address) to enable them to initiate, participate in, or complete necessary essential court business/functions during the judicial emergency.

INFO

Note: Any request under the Right-to-Know-Law for invoices or billing information from court- appointed counsel should be forwarded to the open records officer (Rule 509 manager) for the judicial district to determine if the record is to be disclosed.

Note: Any request under the Right-to-Know-Law for invoices or billing information from court- appointed counsel should be forwarded to the open records officer (Rule 509 manager) for the judicial district to determine if the record is to be disclosed.

INFO

A motion to which all parties consent may be sent to the assigned judge's chambers for disposition.

Motions in which all parties have consented to the relief sought may be sent to the chambers of the assigned judge for disposition.