Department H

Courtroom Protocol

No weapons are allowed. There is no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in any courtroom.

Proper courtroom attire is required. No shorts or tank tops are allowed in the courtroom, shoes are required. T-shirts, which show offensive slogans or pictures, are not allowed. Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.

While in the courtroom, sit quietly when court is in session. Do not talk or whisper. The court proceedings are being recorded by a court recorder and noise can interfere with the preparation of this important record.

All beepers, cellular telephones, and electronic devices must be turned off before entering the courtroom. Avoid reading newspapers, or books in the courtrooms, particularly if your use of such material may be a distraction to others.

Attorneys are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times, and to strictly adhere to the opportunities, requirements, limitations, and deadlines set by the judge. All counsel are to be punctual for all conferences, hearings and trials. They are to be civil to one another as well as to all parties, witnesses, and court personnel – whether in front of a jury or the court.

Documents

Department H Zoom Information (Effective January 29th 2024)

Current Assignment

• Department H is assigned civil domestic cases.

Chamber Calendar

• • Adoptions are heard in the courtroom or by an appearance by alternate means.

Telephonic and Video Appearances

• • Non-Trial and Non-Evidentiary proceedings are heard by either a Blue Jeans video or telephone appearances pursuant to Administrative Order.
  • Trials and Evidentiary proceedings may be heard in person or by alternate means pursuant to AO 21-04, applicable rules, statutes, and case law.

Unopposed Motions

• • Department H may grant unopposed motions in advance of the hearing.
  • Department H may grant Zoom Orders: For example, unopposed motions to withdraw that do not seek monetary judgements may be granted in advance of the hearing.

Joint Preliminary Injunctions

• • JPIs must be made an order to be an enforceable court order with indirect civil contempt.

Prove-up Hearings

Department H has a weekly calendar on Mondays, at 11 am, for prove-up hearings, that may include hearings for name changes for minor children, adoptions, and child custody and divorce cases that cannot be resolved through summary disposition.

Submission of Orders

• • The court will direct counsel to prepare an order and will generally allow opposing counsel to review the form and content.

Contested Orders

• • When counsel cannot agree on the language of an Order, counsel may submit a proposed order to the Court, accompanied by an explanation of the attempts made to obtain countersignature, with a copy to opposing counsel.  Opposing counsel may submit an alternate order, accompanied by an explanation of the disagreement and distinction between the two proposed orders, with a copy to opposing counsel.

Electronic Signatures

• • Department H accepts electronic signatures.

Telephonic Conferences

• • Department may set a telephonic conference with counsel in appropriate exigent matters.

Stacking Trails

• • Department does not stack trials.