Montague County Justice of the Peace Courts Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Counsel must direct objections, arguments, and other comments to the Judge or jury, not opposing counsel.

All objections, arguments, and other comments by counsel shall be directed to the Judge or jury and not to opposing counsel.

CRITICAL

A request for a language interpreter or disability-related special assistance must be made when the plea is entered.

A request for a language interpreter or special assistance for persons with disabilities shall be made at the time a plea is entered.

WARNING

Defendants and their attorneys generally may not meet with the prosecutor or judge about a specific case outside regular docket settings without showing good cause.

In General Defendant or attorney representing defendant will generally not be able to meet with the prosecutor or judge in reference to specific cases outside the regular docket settings absent a show of good cause.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

A defendant may call the Court during regular business hours for citation information, but the call does not count as an appearance.

A defendant may contact the Court by phone during regular business hours to obtain information about his/her citation; however, A TELEPHONE CALL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN APPEARANCE.

WARNING

Attorneys should make advance arrangements with the Court if they anticipate needing to move furniture, appliances, or easels.

Attorneys should anticipate any need to move furniture, appliances, or easels, and should make advance arrangements with the Court.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

The Judge will not initiate a conference call; each judge will instruct the parties how to arrange conference calls.

The Judge will not initiate a conference call. Each judge will instruct the parties regarding arrangements for conference calls.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

A defendant may call the Court during regular business hours for citation information, but the call does not constitute an appearance.

A defendant may contact the Court by phone during regular business hours to obtain information about his/her citation; however, A TELEPHONE CALL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN APPEARANCE.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

The Judge may require an in-court hearing instead of a telephone hearing, upon notice to all parties.

At any time, the Judge may determine that a hearing by telephone will not be sufficient and may require a hearing in court upon notice to all parties.

WARNING

Attorneys should obtain leave of Court before approaching the bench and must never lean on it.

Attorneys should not approach the bench without leave of Court and must never lean on the bench.

WARNING

Attorneys should observe ethics rules concerning media discussions and improper ex parte communications with the Judge.

Attorneys should observe the letter and spirit of all canons of ethics, including those dealing with discussion of cases with representatives of the media and those concerning improper ex parte communications with the Judge.

WARNING

Defendants and their attorneys generally cannot meet with the prosecutor or judge about specific cases outside regular docket settings without showing good cause.

In General Defendant or attorney representing defendant will generally not be able to meet with the prosecutor or judge in reference to specific cases outside the regular docket settings absent a show of good cause.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

The Judge will not initiate a conference call; parties must follow the judge’s instructions for arranging conference calls.

The Judge will not initiate a conference call. Each judge will instruct the parties regarding arrangements for conference calls.