General
Be prepared to proceed on the date of your trial or hearing.
If you are not an attorney and you are representing yourself pro se, Ohio case law mandates that you be held to the same standard as an attorney in presenting your case to the court by understanding and following the applicable law, as well as the rules of evidence and civil procedure.
Failure to be present at the time your hearing is scheduled may result in the case proceeding in your absence, being continued, or being dismissed.
Professionalism
Attorneys and litigants are expected to be punctual, courteous, respectful, and civil at all times to litigants, attorneys, and the Court, including all Court personnel such as secretaries and court officers.
Courtroom Decorum and Dress
All litigants are expected to wear appropriate attire in the courtroom. Electronic devices must be silenced prior to entering the courtroom. Hats must be removed and pants must be above the waist before entering the courtroom.
Continuances
Continuances are granted by the Court and not by the agreement of the parties. Continuances will be granted only for exceedingly good cause.
Status Conferences
At the request of the parties, a status conference by Zoom or in-person can be scheduled.
Trials
Trials will start promptly at the time scheduled. It is expected that any discussions regarding stipulations or settlement will have occurred prior to the time set for trial.
Evidentiary Hearings
Be prepared to have any witnesses present testimony and evidentiary documents to meet your burden of proof. No evidence will be accepted after the hearing is over. You are required to meet your burden of proof even if the other party fails to appear. If you are objecting to a CSEA administrative hearing decision or recommendation, any evidence you provided to the CSEA at the administrative hearing is not available to the Court. You will need to present any evidence to the Court that you want the Court to consider.
Stipulations
Are appreciated and encouraged and make a trial more efficient.
Exhibits
Prior to the hearing, please make three copies of all exhibits expected to be presented during the hearing. All exhibits are made public record if presented to the Court and the exhibits are made part of the record and/or file. You will not get the exhibit back if admitted for purposes of the hearing and/or record. Documents accessed electronically on your phone or other electronic device cannot be presented, unless you intend to have the Court maintain possession of your phone or electronic device.
Objections to CSEA Administrative Recommendations and Decisions
If you are objecting to a CSEA administrative hearing decision or recommendation, any evidence you provided at the administrative hearing at the CSEA is not available to the Court. Please see the list of documents included in your objection paperwork for guidance regarding the bare minimum information you need to bring to court.
Zoom Hearings
A party may file a request for a Zoom hearing. At the discretion of the Court and with the agreement of all the parties, a hearing may proceed by Zoom. Requesting a hearing by Zoom does not guarantee that your hearing will be conducted over Zoom.
If a hearing proceeds by Zoom, the same decorum, professionalism, and rules that would apply for an in-person hearing will apply for the Zoom hearing. Any documents a party appearing by Zoom intends to introduce into evidence needs to be emailed to the court officer within 24 hours of the hearing. If a hearing is continued, the court officers will not retain any of the emailed documents. The party appearing by Zoom will need to email those documents to the court officer again within 24 hours of the hearing.