:
Click
HONORBALE JUDGE SHARON I. HAMILTON
JUDICIAL PRACTICE PREFERENCES
CRIMINAL
PRE-TRIAL
OPEN MOTION CALENDAR
1:00 P.M.- 5:00 P.M every Wednesday on a first come, first serve basis. Motions MUST be e-filed with the Clerk of Court prior to securing a hearing date. Courtesy copy of the Notice of hearing is mandatory.
MINI-DOCKET: 10:30 – 11:00 A.M. EVERY Wednesday on a first come, first serve basis. This docket is reserved only for 5 minute hearings.
TELEPHONIC HEARINGS:
are not allowed in criminal cases.
DOCKET SOUNDING:
Continuances/Stipulated Continuances – Any Motion for continuance that is not stipulated to must be filed and set for hearing PRIOR to docket sounding. Stipulated continuances will be accepted by the court before the cut-off period. The stipulated Motion MUST be e-filed with the Clerk of Court and proposed orders MUST be e-mailed directly to Judge’s chambers. The cut-off for Monday D/S is Thursday at noon. The cut-off for Thursday D/S is Tuesday at noon. Any stipulated MTC received after the cut-off period will be placed on the front of the court file to be heard by the Judge at D/S; attorneys must either prepare to be present or arrange for coverage.
Defendant’s Presence- the defendant may be excused from appearing at docket sounding only if a waiver of appearance has been filed.
Pleas - pleas will be taken at Docket Sounding.
TRIAL STATUS CONFERENCE:
If you announce ready for trial at Docket Sounding your case will be set by separate notice from the clerk for a Trial Status the Friday before Jury Selection. Pleas will be taken and any preliminary matters will be addressed.
TRIAL:
Continuances – Trial continuances must be the subject of a motion and hearing. Hearing continuances, depending on their nature may sometimes be continued by stipulation of counsel. Otherwise, motions for continuance must be filed and set for hearing.
Motions in Limine – Short motions may be heard the morning of trial. Longer motions must be heard before trial at a scheduled hearing.
Discovery Issues - When discovery disputes occur, counsel must confer and make a good faith attempt to resolve them without a hearing. If a hearing must be held, it should be timely scheduled in order to avoid potential trial delay.
All pleadings, including motions to continue and any proposed orders, must be e-filed through the clerk of courts e-portal system before submission to the Judge.
DEADLINE FOR FILING WAIVERS:
The deadline for filing waivers for Docket Sounding is the week before the docket sounding date. No waivers may be filed for cases older than 2 years.
Click here for