WADSWORTH MUNICIPAL COURT LOCAL RULES

INTRODUCTION: The following rules are incorporated by reference herein:

1. The Supreme Court Rules for the government of the Bar of Ohio

2. The Code of Professional Responsibility

3. The Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure

4. The Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure

5. The Ohio Traffic Rules

6. The Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio

7. The Ohio Rules of Evidence and any amendments thereto

These rules and any amendments thereto not in conflict with any of the above shall govern practice and procedure in the Wadsworth Municipal Court.

INDEX TO RULES

GENERAL

Rule 1 Days and Times of Sessions

Rule 2 Pleadings and Continuances

Rule 3 Withdrawal of Counsel

Rule 4 Court Reporters

Rule 5 Disposition of Files

Rule 6 Conflict of Trial Assignment Dates and Engaged Counsel

Rule 7 Motion Practice

Rule 8 Exhibits

Rule 9 Publication of These Local Rules

Rule 10 Jury Standards

Rule 11 Jury Trial Briefs and Proposed Jury Instructions

Rule 12 Decorum and Conduct

Rule 13 Courthouse Security

Rule 14 Case Numbering

Rule 15 Supreme Court Filing

Rule 16 Default of Payment by Bondsman

Rule 17 Inquiries to the Court regarding Bondsman and Attorneys

Rule 18 Amendments to these Local Rules

Rule 19 Physical Case Inventory

Rule 20 Service of Process

Rule 21 Video Arraignment

Rule 22 Facsimile Filings

Rule 23 Reserved

Rule 24 Reserved

Rule 25 Reserved

CIVIL DIVISION

Rule 26 Civil Division - Civil Actions Generally

Rule 27 Forcible Entry and Detainer

Rule 28 Action in Replevin

Rule 29 Small Claims

Rule 30 Deposits for Costs

Rule 31 Jury Trial Demands in Civil Actions and Forcible Entry

Detainer Actions

Rule 32 Jury Demands Withdrawal

Rule 33 Civil Pretrials

Rule 34 Satisfaction of Judgment - Payment of Costs

Rule 35 Publication of Court Notices

Rule 36 Judgment Entries

Rule 37 Case Management in Civil Cases

Rule 38 Case Management in Special Proceedings

Rule 39 Reserved

Rule 40 Reserved

Rule 41 Reserved

Rule 42 Reserved

Rule 43 Reserved

Rule 44 Reserved

Rule 45 Reserved

CRIMINAL/TRAFFIC DIVISION

Rule 46 Violations Bureau

Rule 47 Consent of Court for Dismissal

Rule 48 Inspection of Traffic and Criminal Case Files

Rule 49 Jury Demand

Rule 50 Case Management in Criminal and Traffic Cases

GENERAL

RULE 1

DAYS AND TIMES OF SESSIONS:

The session in the Wadsworth Municipal Court shall be from 8 a.m. until 12 Noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Every third Wednesday, extended hours for civil cases will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The offices of the court, including the offices of the Clerk of Court, shall be open between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

These hours may be extended or reduced by order of the Court to accommodate special circumstances at the discretion of the Court, or as circumstances require.

PLEADINGS AND CONTINUANCES:

All pleadings filed in this court shall be on 8 1/2" by 11" paper without cover or backing. Compliance with this rule will be mandatory.

All pleadings, motions and other papers filed in an action shall bear the case number and the name, address and telephone number of the attorney or other person filing the same. All attorneys shall also include their individual Supreme Court number on all pleadings. Other than the original complaint, every pleading, motion or other paper filed with the clerk shall contain a certification of notice to the other parties to the action. In every proceeding where there is an attorney of record, the service shall be made upon such attorney.

When notice of trial, pre-trial or other proceeding requiring personal appearance of the parties and/or counsel is mailed from this court, a written motion for continuance shall be filed with the court as soon as possible. Notice of such motion for continuance shall be served upon opposing parties or counsel by the moving party. Such motions shall set forth good cause. Consent of opposing parties or counsel shall not, in and of itself, constitute good cause.

Motions for continuance shall be accompanied with a separate judgment entry expressive of the motion for the Court's signature. Any motion for continuance submitted fewer than three days prior to the date of hearing may be granted only upon showing good cause constituting hardship, unforeseen circumstances or unavoidable conditions.

WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL:

It shall be the duty of any attorney who has made a formal appearance in any proceeding in this court to request by motion to withdraw from representation as attorney of record with proof of service to be made on all parties including the affected client.

Where no formal appearance has been made by counsel, a letter of non-representation will be accepted.

COURT REPORTERS:

The official record of the court shall be taken by digital recording as authorized by the Rules of Superintendence for Municipal Courts. Parties and/or their attorneys shall be allowed to arrange for a shorthand reporter to take a record of proceedings in the court, provided that permission of the Court is obtained prior to the hearing. In the event that such a record is taken, however, it shall not be an official record of the proceedings nor shall it be represented or certified as such. The responsibility for arranging for the attendance of the court reporter shall rest with the attorney and/or party desiring the same.

DISPOSITION OF FILES:

The Clerk may destroy or otherwise dispose of case files which have been terminated by the Court as set forth in Ohio Revised Code Section 1901.41 as amended.

CONFLICT OF TRIAL ASSIGNMENT DATES:

When a continuance is requested for the reason that counsel is scheduled to appear in another case assigned for trial on the same date in the same or another trial court of this state, the case that was first set for trial shall have priority and shall be tried on the date assigned. The party moving for the continuance SHALL attach a copy of the trial notice from the other court to the motion for continuance. Criminal cases assigned for trial have priority over civil cases assigned for trial. The granting of any other request for continuance of a scheduled trial is a matter within the discretion of the Trial Court.

ENGAGED COUNSEL:

If a designated trial attorney has such a number of cases assigned for trial in this court so as to cause undue delay in the disposition of such cases, the Judge may require the trial attorney to provided a substitute trial attorney. If the trial attorney fails to provide a substitute trial attorney, the Judge shall remove him or her as counsel in the case. If the trial attorney was appointed by the Court, the Court shall appoint a substitute trial attorney.

MOTION PRACTICE:

Motions made during a hearing or trial may be made orally or in writing to the Judge presiding. All other motions shall be made in writing unless waived by the Judge. All written motions shall be accompanied by a judgment entry expressive of the motion.

Motions will not be set for a hearing except as the Court, in its discretion, orders. A party desiring a hearing should request the same. When a motion is set for hearing, the court shall notify the parties to the action of the date and time of the hearing. See also Rule 37(A), Judicial Step 2 and Rule 50(A)(1).

RULE 8

EXHIBITS:

All evidence of a tangible nature to be offered at trial:

1. Shall be marked Plaintiff's or State's Exhibit 1 (to 99) OR Defendant's Exhibit A (through Z)

2. Shall be prepared in numbers sufficient to provide one copy each for the Court, the witness and each attorney

3. Shall be available at time trial commences

It is the responsibility of the court's Bailiff or Deputy Bailiff to accept such evidence on behalf of the Court and to store and safeguard such evidence for the purpose of maintaining the record of the particular case.

PUBLICATION OF THESE RULES:

The Clerk of Court shall order production of copies of these rules and amendments made thereto. Such copies shall be made available by the Clerk of Court at the cost of production. A copy of these rules will be available at this Court's web cite, to wit: www.wadsworthmunicipalcourt.com.

JURY STANDARDS:

This local rule is being implemented in compliance with the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, Rule 5 (B)(2). Its purpose is to implement an efficient and comprehensive system of jury use and management.

JURY ELIGIBILITY:

To ensure that the jury pool is representative of the adult population of the jurisdiction of the Wadsworth Municipal Court, all persons are eligible to serve on a jury, except those who:

1. Are less than 18 years of age

2. Are not residents of one of the following: the city of Wadsworth; the villages of Gloria Glens, Lodi, Seville or Westfield Center; the townships of Guilford, Harrisville, Homer, Sharon, Wadsworth or Westfield; and those portions of the city of Rittman and the village of Creston located in Medina County

3. Are not citizens of the United States

4. Are not able to communicate in the English language

5. Have been convicted of a felony and have not had their civil rights restored

OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE:

Jury service is an obligation of all qualified citizens. The opportunity for jury service should not be denied or limited on the basis of race, national origin, gender, age, religious belief, income, occupation, disability or any other factor that discriminates against a particular group.

All reasonable efforts shall be made to accommodate prospective jurors who have special needs.

SELECTION OF PROSPECTIVE JURORS:

No later than the first day of November of the year prior to the year of jury selection, a commission shall be appointed by the Court, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 1901.25 and 2313.01, for the purpose of selecting qualified electors residing within the geographic jurisdiction of the court to be made subject to call for jury service.

The commission shall consist of two qualified electors who reside in the court's geographical jurisdiction. Each of such electors shall be of an opposite political party as indicated by the most recent primary election records.

The Clerk of Court shall be designated by the Court to act as secretary to the jury commission but shall not participate in examination of prospective juror qualifications or selection.

The Clerk of Court shall inform the jury commission of the approximate number of prospective jurors required and they shall proceed to draw such number of names in the following manner:

1. The jury commission shall use as the jury source list names selected randomly by the electronic data processing equipment provided by Medina County or by a private firm hired by Medina County. The jury commission may be provided with the names and addresses of prospective jurors from records provided by the court's electronic data processing system as this capability becomes available. Such equipment shall be in conformity with Ohio Revised Code Sections 2313.08 and 2313.21.

2. The jury source list should be representative and should be as inclusive of the adult population in the jurisdiction as possible.

3. Immediately upon receipt of the list of prospective jurors, the Clerk of Court and the jury commission shall send by regular mail a notice to all prospective jurors informing them that they may be called for jury duty some time during the year. This is a preliminary notice advising the prospective jurors that they will be notified at a later date of their specific week of service.

4. After having determined the names of prospective jurors, the jury commission shall notify the provider of electronic data processing services from Medina County of the names selected. The provider of electronic data processing services shall then prepare for the Court separate lists of jury panels in those numbers designated by the Clerk of Court. Names of prospective jurors shall be assigned to particular panels randomly.

5. If during the period of the year for which jury selection has already been made, the Clerk of Court determines that an additional number of prospective jurors will be required, she may call upon the jury commission to make an additional selection of names in the same manner as provided herein, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 2313.06 through 2313.21.

6. Departures from random selection shall be permitted only as follows:

a. To exclude persons ineligible for service

b. To exclude prospective jurors

c. To remove prospective jurors for cause of if challenged peremptorily

d. To provide all prospective jurors with an opportunity to be called for jury service and to be assigned to a panel

SUMMONING OF PROSPECTIVE JURORS:

Prospective jurors shall be summoned for a period of one week. Every effort shall be made to ensure that actual service consists of no more than one trial. Summons shall be sent by regular mail no less than two weeks prior to the date of service. The summons shall include the following information:

1. Date and time of service

2. Directions to the courthouse and parking information

3. Instructions on how to find out if trials are canceled

4. Instructions on how to secure an exemption

5. Other basic information to begin to familiarize the prospective juror with the Court's procedures for jury duty

Copies of the Summons and Instructions to Jurors are included as Attachments A and B.

Along with the Summons, the jury administrator shall also send to prospective jurors a questionnaire which is to be filled out and returned to the court. The purpose of the questionnaire is to speed up the voir dire process by providing the Court and counsel basic information on prospective jurors prior to the beginning of trial. Copies of the completed questionnaires are to be made available to counsel no less than one hour prior to trial. These copies may be used by the attorneys during voir dire, but must be returned following trial. A copy of the jury questionnaire is Attachment C.

COMPENSATION FOR JURY DUTY:

Persons reporting for jury duty shall receive compensation in the amount of $20 per day. Such fees shall be paid from the city or county treasurer, whichever is appropriate for the particular case.

JURY DEMANDS:

In criminal or traffic cases, a Jury Demand must be filed in accordance with Criminal Rule 23. No jury deposit is required in these cases.

In civil cases, a Jury Demand must be filed in accordance with Civil Rule 38. In these cases, a jury deposit of $500 must be paid to the Clerk of Court no later than 14 days prior to the date of trial. In the event that the deposit is not paid as set forth above, the trial shall be heard by the Court.

RESOLUTION OF CASES:

Every effort shall be made to resolve cases prior to bringing a jury in on the trial date. To this end, the Court has adopted a policy, for traffic and criminal jury trials, of not dismissing a case or amending a charge once a jury has reported for service. Once a defendant makes a Jury Demand and has a trial date set, counsel for the defendant must notify the Court if the case is settled. Such notice must be made prior to the court closing on the last business day prior to the date of trial. Therefore, once a jury has reported for duty on a particular case, the defendant in that case must either proceed to trial by jury or plead "guilty" or "no contest" to every charge against him or her.

If a guilty or no contest plea is made on the day of trial, the defendant shall be responsible for paying the jury fees for that day. In the event that multiple trials are set for the same date, jury fees shall be assessed to the last case to be settled on that day.

EXEMPTIONS AND EXCUSES:

  The Ohio Legislature established the grounds for excusing a prospective juror.

A juror may be excused, or obtain a postponement, by the Judge or a person authorized by the Judge to perform this duty. A request for an excuse or postponement must be made in writing and must fall within one of the following categories:

To be excused:

   1.  The interests of the public will be materially injured by the juror's attendance.

   2.  The juror's spouse, or a near relative of the juror or the juror's spouse, has recently died or is dangerously ill.

   3.  The juror is a cloistered member of a religious organization.

   4.  The juror has a mental or physical condition that causes the juror to be incapable of performing jury service.

   5.  Jury service would cause undue or extreme physical or financial hardship to the juror or a person under the care or supervision of the juror.

   6.  The juror is over seventy-five (75) years of age and requests to be excused.

   7.  The juror is an active member of a recognized amish sect and requests to be excused.

   8.  The juror has been called as a juror for trial in a court of record in the county within the same jury (calendar) year.

For postponement:

   A juror may also request a postponement of his or her jury service provided that the juror has not previously been granted a postponement and the juror and the appropriate court employee agree to a specific date on which the juror will appear for jury service.

 VOIR DIRE:

Voir dire examination shall be limited to matters relevant to determining whether to remove a juror for cause and to determine the juror?s fairness and impartiality. In order to shorten the voir dire process, basic background information on each member of the panel shall be given to counsel prior to trial, in the form of the Jury Questionnaire (Attachment C). After the Judge conducts a preliminary voir dire examination, each party shall have a reasonable amount of time to question the panel. Questions shall be directed at the eight prospective jurors seated in the jury box and not at the whole panel.

CHALLENGES FOR CAUSE:

The Judge may remove from the panel any prospective juror who he has determined to be unable or unwilling to hear the particular case at issue fairly and impartially. Such a determination may be made on motion of counsel or by the Trial Judge.

PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES:

In civil cases, each side shall have the right to exercise three peremptory challenges. If the Court finds that there is a conflict of interest between parties on the same side, the Court may allow each conflicting party up to three peremptory challenges.

In traffic and criminal cases, each side shall also have three peremptory challenges. If there is more than one defendant, each defendant shall have three peremptory challenges. In any case where there are multiple defendants, the prosecuting attorney shall have an equal number of peremptory challenges as allowed all defendants.

In all cases, each side shall be permitted to exercise one additional peremptory challenge when an alternate juror is to be impaneled.

JUROR ORIENTATION AND INSTRUCTION:

In addition to the Summons to report for jury duty, each prospective juror shall receive basic information about serving as a juror (Attachment B, Instructions to Jurors).

When prospective jurors report for jury duty, the Bailiff or other court personnel shall speak to them briefly about the procedures that the Court will follow throughout the trial. The Bailiff shall also administer an oath to the entire panel for the purpose of the voir dire examination.

Prior to the beginning of voir dire, the Judge shall give preliminary instructions to all prospective jurors. Once a jury is impaneled, the Judge shall give additional instructions to explain the jury's role, trial procedures of the Court, along with other basic and relevant legal principles.

Upon completion of the case and prior to jury deliberations, the Court shall instruct the jury on the law and the appropriate procedures to be followed during the course of deliberations. In accordance with the Civil and Criminal Rules of Procedure, the parties or their counsel may request that special instructions be given to the jury.

The final jury charge may be committed to writing and may be provided to the jury for its use during deliberations.

JURY DELIBERATIONS:

All jury deliberations shall be conducted in the jury deliberation room. Once deliberations have begun, the jury is placed under the supervision of the Bailiff. No one shall be permitted to enter the jury room and jurors shall not be permitted to leave the court without permission.

Deliberations shall not continue after a reasonable hour, unless the Judge determines that it would not impose an undue hardship upon the jurors, or that it is necessary in the interest of justice. Jurors shall be consulted prior to any decision.

All communications between the jurors and the Judge or counsel shall be committed to writing. Likewise, any answer or response shall either be in writing or placed on the record in open court. Counsel for each party shall be informed of any communication and shall be given the opportunity to be heard as to any response.

Upon reaching a verdict, all jurors shall return to the courtroom where the verdict shall be read in open court. In criminal and traffic cases, either party may request that the jury be polled.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE JURY SYSTEM:

The Bailiff of the court shall be responsible for administering the jury system. These duties include: mailing summonses, monitoring and recording jury questionnaires, handling requests to be excused, setting up venires and assisting and supervising the jury on the day of trial.

JURY TRIAL BRIEFS AND PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS:

In the event the Court determines that the issues in a particular action require it, the Court may require the parties or their counsel file with the court trial briefs and/or jury instructions at least five days before such trial is to commence.

RULE 12

DECORUM AND CONDUCT:

Upon the opening of any court session, all persons in the courtroom shall stand. All persons in the courtroom shall conduct themselves with decorum and in such a manner so as to not interfere with or obstruct judicial activities or proceedings. Witnesses and jurors shall NOT be addressed by first names during examination.

All persons appearing before the Court shall, as far as practicable, appear in appropriate dress.

No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted in the courtroom, nor shall anyone bring food or drink into the courtroom.

No person shall loiter or conduct himself or herself in an unseemly or disorderly manner in the courtroom or in the halls, entry way or lobbies, or otherwise interfere with or obstruct judicial activities or proceedings.

The Court expects that counsel call this rule to the attention of clients and witnesses.

RULE 13

COURT SECURITY:

The Wadsworth Municipal Court is charged with dispensing justice, resolving disputes and protecting the constitutional rights of those who appear before the Court.

Accordingly, appropriate levels of security should exist in the court to protect the integrity of court proceedings, protect the rights of individuals before the Court, deter those who would take violent action against the Court or litigants, sustain the proper decorum and dignity of the court and assure that court facilities are secure for all those who visit and work there.

Therefore, pursuant to the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, Rule 9, the Court establishes the following:

The Court shall appoint a Local Security Advisory Committee, consisting of one representative of each of the following groups: Judges, law enforcement responsible for court security, funding authorities and other bar and community groups as deemed appropriate by the Court.

The Court has implemented a local Security Policy and Procedure Plan which addresses the Ohio Court Security Standards adopted by the Supreme Court of Ohio on October 17, 1994.

The Local Court Security Advisory Committee shall adopt a Security Operations Manual, which manual shall establish written directives for the purpose of ensuring security within the court while maintaining accessibility to the community.

Furthermore, there shall be no guns, knives or weapons of any kind permitted in the courtroom except for this Court's Bailiff and any law enforcement official on duty and appearing in his or her official capacity. All persons entering the courtroom and/or the court's lobby are subject to being searched.

RULE 14

CASE NUMBERING:

In order to aid in computerization of the court's records and to conform with the Supreme Court's Rules on case numbering, all cases shall be numbered using the following method:

Cases shall be designated as civil, criminal or traffic and serially numbered within each category on an annual basis beginning January 1 of each year. The last two digits of the year in which the case is filed shall be the first two digits of all categories of cases.

Civil cases shall be designated by the letters "CV" following the year.

The following letters shall follow the CV designation to further categorize the case:

E - Personal Injury/Property Damage

F - Contract

G - Forcible Entry and Detainer

H - All other civil

I - Small Claims

J - Cases originally filed for collection of judgment from other courts

L - Rent escrow cases

Criminal cases shall be designated by the letters "CR" following the year.

The following letters shall follow the CR designation to further categorize the case:

A - Felony

B - Misdemeanor

Traffic cases shall be designated by the letters "TR" following the year.

The following letters shall follow the TR designation to further categorize the case:

C - Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs

D - Other traffic

Parking citation cases shall use the designation of "PRK."

The remaining five digits of the case number shall be the serial number within each CV, CR or TR category.

SUPREME COURT FILING:

In accordance with Rule 83 of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, these Rules of Local Practice shall be filed with the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio along with any amendments hereto.

RULE 16

DEFAULT OF PAYMENT BY BONDSMAN:

Any bondsman or bonding company having failed to honor an obligation to this Court shall not be permitted to act in such capacity until such default of payment is rectified in full.

The Clerk of Court shall, before acceptance of any bond, investigate financial capacity of the bondsman or bonding company, and if she is not satisfied as to the status of such bondsman or bonding company, she may refuse to accept anything other than a cash deposit for bond.

INQUIRES TO THE COURT REGARDING BONDSMAN AND ATTORNEYS:

No employee of this court shall recommend or summon a bonding company, bondsman or attorney under any circumstances. Any person making inquiry for such information shall be directed to the telephone directory. No advertising material of any kind pertaining to bonding service or attorneys shall be displayed in any of the offices of this court.

RULE 18

AMENDMENTS TO THESE LOCAL RULES:

Additional rules and amendments of these rules may be promulgated from time to time and shall be effective with or without general publication, but no party or counsel shall be prejudiced by any such rule when the Court is satisfied that no reasonable opportunity for notice of such additional rule or amendment was provided.

RULE 19

PHYSICAL CASE INVENTORY:

Pursuant to Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, Rule 38, this court will conduct an annual physical case inventory of all cases reported as pending on the monthly statistical report form filed by the Judge. Said annual physical case inventory shall be completed on or before the first day of September of each year. Completion of the physical inventory shall be documented in the appropriate space on the Individual Judge Report.

RULE 20

SERVICE OF PROCESS:

All documents required to be served in any case pending in the Wadsworth Municipal Court shall be directed to the Medina County Sheriff's Office or any other agency designated in a praecipe.

The fees charged shall be those authorized by Ohio Revised Code Section 311.17.

VIDEO ARRAIGNMENT:

At the Judge's discretion, the Court may conduct arraignments, initial appearances, bond hearings and other preliminary matters by the use of a video imaging connection between Wadsworth Municipal Court and the Medina County Jail. Counsel may be present by either appearing in court or joining their client at the county jail. All video proceedings shall be interactive with two-way visual and audio communications.

FACSIMILE FILINGS:

In conformity with Rule 5(E) of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 12 (B) of the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure, pleadings and other documents may be filed with the Clerk of Court by facsimile transmission ("fax," "faxes" or "fax filings") to 330-335-2723, subject to the following conditions:

1. A document filed by fax shall be accepted as the original filing, consistent with Rule 5(E) of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure if the person sending the fax complies with all of the requirements set forth in this local rule. The person making a fax filing need not file the original copy with the Clerk of Court, but must however maintain in his or her records and have available for production on request by the Court the original copy of any document filed by fax, with the original signatures as otherwise required under the applicable rules, together with the original copy of the facsimile cover sheet used for the subject filing and maintain same until the case is closed and all opportunities for post judgment relief are exhausted.

2. Subject to the provisions of these rules, all documents sent by fax and accepted by the Clerk shall be considered filed with the Clerk of Court as of the date and time the Clerk time-stamps the documents received, as opposed to the date and time of the fax transmission. The office of the Clerk of Court will be open to receive facsimile transmission of documents 24 hours per day, seven days per week; however, all documents received after the close of business will be time-stamped the next business day in the order in which they were received. The risks of transmitting a document by fax to the Clerk of Court shall be borne entirely by the sender. Anyone using facsimile filing is urged to verify receipt of such filings by the Clerk of Court through whatever technological means are then available. The Clerk of Court may, but need not, acknowledge receipt of a facsimile transmission.

3. The person filing a document by fax shall also provide therewith a cover page containing the following information:

A. The caption of the case

B. The case number

C. A description of the document being filed

D. The date and time of transmission

E. The transmitting fax number

F. An indication of the number of pages included in the transmission, including the cover page

If a document is sent by fax to the Clerk of Court without the cover page information listed above, the Clerk may, at her discretion enter the document in the case docket and file the document, OR deposit it in the case jacket without entering it into the case docket and consider it a nullity and thereby stricken. The Clerk of Court is not required to send any form of notice to the sender of a failed fax filing.

4. A party wishing to file a signed source document by fax shall either: a) fax a copy of the signed source document, or b) fax a copy of the document without the signature but with the notation "/s/" followed by the name of the signing person where the signature appears on the signed source document. A party filing a signed document by fax represents that the physically signed source document is in his or her possession or control.

5. Each exhibit to a facsimile produced document that cannot be accurately transmitted via facsimile transmission for any reason must be replaced by an insert page describing the exhibit and why it is missing. Unless the Court otherwise orders, the missing exhibit shall be filed with the court, as a separate document, not later than five (5) court days following the filing of the facsimile document. Failure to file the missing exhibit as required by this paragraph may result in the Court striking the documents and/or exhibit. Any exhibit filed in this manner shall be attached to a cover sheet containing the caption of the case which sets forth the name of the court, title of the case, the case number, and the title of the exhibit being filed and shall be signed and served in conformance with the rules governing the signing and service of pleadings in this court.

6. A "fax transmission" as referred to in this local rule shall be limited to only one (1) document filing per transmission. If more than one document is to be filed in a case, then the sender must use separate cover sheets for each such filing and must transmit each filing separately. Motions and other filings making reference to or incorporating other documents attached to the motion or other filing as an exhibit thereof or a proposed entry shall be considered as part of a single filing for purposes of this rule.

7. Anything stated or implied above to the contrary notwithstanding, the following documents may NOT be filed by facsimile transmission: Any filing for which the Clerk of Court must collect a specific filing fee or for which the Clerk of Court is required to effectuate service and summons.

8. Facsimile filings shall not exceed 20 pages in length. The filer shall not transmit service copies by facsimile.

9. This local rule has been instituted solely for the convenience of those filing documents with the Clerk of Court, and neither the Clerk of Court nor the Wadsworth Municipal Court assumes any new or additional responsibilities, obligations or liabilities by virtue of this local rule except as expressly provided for herein. Further, this local rule pertains only to the method of filing; it does NOT override, alter, amend, revoke or otherwise change any Local Rule or Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure respecting the requirements of, for example, obtaining the consent of the parties or counsel or obtaining signatures or the authorization to sign for opposing counsel as to any filings.

CIVIL DIVISION-CIVIL ACTIONS GENERALLY:

In the civil division of this court, all cases shall be designated as general civil actions, with the exception of actions in forcible entry and detainer, replevin, small claims and such other special statutory proceedings exempted under Rule 1(C) of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.

FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER:

Actions in forcible entry and detainer shall be filed and proceedings conducted in accordance with provisions of Ohio Revised Code Sections 1923.01 through 1923.15 and any amendments made thereto. If such action in forcible entry and detainer contains an additional cause of action for money, then such additional cause of action shall proceed under the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure.

ACTION IN REPLEVIN:

Actions in replevin shall be filed and proceedings had in accordance with provisions of Ohio Revised Sections 2737.01 through 2737.20 and any amendments thereto. If other causes of action for money judgment are included within the action for replevin complaint, then such causes shall be separately stated and numbered and proceed under the applicable Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.

SMALL CLAIMS:

Actions filed in the small claims division of this court shall be filed and proceedings had in accordance with provisions of Ohio Revised Code Sections 1925.01 through 1925.18 and any amendments thereto.

No employee of this court shall render legal advice to any petitioner in the small claims division. Assistance to such petitioner shall be limited to furnishing of necessary forms and explanation as to the form?s use.

RULE 30

DEPOSITS FOR COST:

No civil action or proceeding shall be accepted for filing by the Clerk of Court unless there is deposited the sum of money set forth in the schedule of deposits established from time to time by this Court. A copy of such schedule shall be made available by request to the Clerk of Court.

In the event that a party wishing to file an action in this court is indigent, the party or his counsel shall file an affidavit of indigency. Upon finding that such indigency does exist, the deposit and payment of costs by that party shall be waived.

RULE 31

JURY TRIAL DEMANDS IN CIVIL ACTIONS AND FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER ACTIONS:

The provisions of Ohio Civil Rule 38(B) relating to jury demands shall be a rule of this court in all civil actions, except in forcible entry and detainer actions where the jury demand shall be filed and notice given to all parties not later than three days before the appearance of trial date. The party filing the jury demand shall at the same time file a motion to continue the prior scheduled non-jury hearing of the action and such moving party shall notify all other parties.

RULE 32

JURY DEMAND WITHDRAWAL:

The provisions of Ohio Civil Rule 38(B) relating to jury demands shall follow in this court in all civil actions, except in those instances where the jury demand shall be filed and notice given to all parties not later than three days before the appearance of trial date.

A $500 deposit for costs shall be required to accompany a demand for jury trial. Said deposit must be paid to the Clerk of Court no later than 14 days prior to date of trial. In the event that the deposit is not paid as set forth above, the trial shall be heard by the Court.

Notice to the Court of withdrawal of the jury demand SHALL be made to the Court no later than three days prior to the date of the jury trial.

In the event a panel of jurors appears for service and the trial is continued or postponed due to the failure of a party or his or her counsel to comply with this rule, such party shall be assessed the per diem costs of the panel unless such failure to comply is as a result of extreme emergency, conditions beyond the control of the party or his or her counsel, or such compliance is waived by the Court.

The party withdrawing the jury demand shall at the same time file a motion to continue the scheduled jury hearing of the action and such withdrawing party shall notify and have the consent of all other parties.

RULE 33

CIVIL PRETRIALS:

Purpose: The following pretrial procedure shall be in effect for the purpose of ensuring the readiness of civil cases for trial, as ordered by the Court. A pretrial conference shall be conducted in all civil cases except for forcible entry and detainer actions, small claims and Bureau of Motor Vehicle license suspension appeals, unless waived by the Court.

Pretrial Defined: For the purpose of this rule, a "Pretrial Conference" is defined as a court supervised conference designed to produce an amicable settlement, to establish the procedure to be followed in the case, to establish time limits to be observed in the case, to establish procedures to inform the Court as to the law and as to jury instructions and to limit the issues at trial. A pretrial conference may take place either at the court or by telephone, as the Court orders.

Notice: Notice of pretrial conference shall be issued by the Clerk to all parties or their counsel of record not less than fourteen days prior to the conference.

Settlement Authority: Counsel shall have complete authority to stipulate on all items of evidence and admission and shall have full settlement authority. In the absence of such authority, counsel shall require the presence of the party represented at the pretrial conference.

Pretrial Order: Subsequent to the completion of the pretrial conference, the Court shall enter upon the record a pretrial order embracing all stipulations, admissions and other matters which have come before the Court. The Court may require a pretrial memorandum of law and/or proposed jury instructions, where applicable.

Continuance: All continuances of pretrials are discouraged. A continuance of a pretrial conference may be granted only upon written motion stating the reason therefor. Motions for continuance shall be accompanied by a judgment entry expressive of the motion. If counsel cities a conflicting court appearance as being the reason for the need for a continuance, the motion shall be accompanied by a copy of the notice of the conflicting hearing. A continuance in a civil matter shall be granted only if it appears from such notice that the conflicting court hearing was set prior to the date of the notice of the pretrial in this court.

RULE 34

SATISFACTION OF JUDGMENT-PAYMENT OF COSTS:

No satisfaction of judgment shall be entered by the Clerk unless and until all court costs in such action have been paid.

No person other than the Clerk of Court or Deputy Clerk may enter a satisfaction of judgment upon the records of the court.

RULE 35

PUBLICATION OF COURT NOTICES:

The Clerk of Court is authorized to publish notices of trial lists, Bailiff's sales and other notices authorized by the Court or by law in the Medina County Gazette, Trading Post or other newspaper of general circulation in the county of Medina or within the confines of the Court's jurisdiction.

Upon the filing of a praecipe for publication notice in a particular cause of action, the party filing such request shall deposit with the Clerk of Court the costs of such publication as established in the Court's list of costs. No publication notice shall be made until such deposit has been received.

RULE 36

JUDGMENT ENTRIES:

Except as to the first entry granting leave to move or plead and to matters in which the Court prepares a proper entry, counsel for the party in whose favor an order, decree or judgment is rendered shall prepare a judgment entry expressive of such order, decree or judgment and submit such entry to counsel of the adverse party. Counsel for such adverse party shall approve or reject the same within five days after its service and return said entry to the counsel who prepared it. Upon approval of the entry within the time limits herein prescribed by all counsel concerned, counsel for the prevailing party shall cause such approved entry to be delivered to the court and when said entry is approved and signed by the Court, said entry shall be forthwith entered by the clerk of the record.

If counsel for any adverse party on such submission does not approve of the entry, he or she shall either state in writing his or her objections and attach the same to said entry and sign his or her name thereto, or if he or she desires, prepare what is in his or her opinion a proper entry and return both the entry prepared by the prevailing party and his or her own entry to counsel for the prevailing party for delivery to the Court. No entry shall be entered upon the record until it has been submitted to the Court for examination and approval. In the event of disagreement concerning the content of the entry, the Court may hold a hearing. In such event, notice shall be given to counsel for all parties and a time for hearing for the purpose of determining a proper entry will be scheduled by the Court.

If by reason of the absence of counsel for the adverse party or parties or for other cause, such entry cannot be submitted to such counsel for approval, it shall be journalized by the clerk when approved by the Court.

In the event of non-compliance with this rule, the Court may make such further orders in the case as may appear proper or are required by law.

Nothing in this rule shall prohibit the Court from putting on its own judgment or journal entry. In the event that the Court does so, the Clerk of Court shall notify all attorneys and parties appearing pro se of the Court=s entry and the date that it was journalized.

RULE 37

CASE MANAGEMENT IN CIVIL CASES:

The purpose of this rule is to establish, pursuant to the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, Rule 5(B)(1), a system for civil case management which will achieve the prompt and fair disposal of civil cases.

Scheduling of Events: The scheduling of a case begins when a civil case is filed. Thereafter, the case is managed in five clerical steps and four judicial steps.

CLERICAL STEPS:

1. Summons shall be served in accordance with the Ohio Rules of Procedure. In the event there is a failure of service, the clerk shall notify counsel immediately. If counsel fails to obtain service of summons within six months of the date the cause of action has been filed, then the clerk shall notify counsel that the case will be dismissed in ten days unless good cause is shown to the contrary.

2. Upon perfection of service but default of answer, the clerk shall notify counsel of the default and that a failure to submit an entry within 15 days may result in the case being dismissed.

3. After any responsive pleading is filed, the clerk shall immediately forward said pleading and file to the Judge so the matter may be set for a hearing or ruling.

4. If no action has been taken on a file for a six month period and the case is not set for trial, then the clerk shall notify the party that the matter will be dismissed within one week unless good cause is shown.

5. When a file has been marked Asettlement entry to come,@ and the entry has not been received within 30 days, then the clerk shall notify the party that his or her case will be dismissed unless the entry is received within ten days.

JUDICIAL STEPS:

1. Pretrial Conference: After an answer is filed, the case will be given to the Assignment Commissioner who will set the case for a pretrial conference. Said conference shall be held in accordance with Local Rule 33 of the Wadsworth Municipal Court as set forth above. Such conference shall be scheduled no sooner than 60 days after the answer has been filed and no later than 120 days after the answer has been filed.

2. Motions: All motions must be in writing and accompanied by a written memorandum containing citations or the arguments of counsel. Opposing counsel shall answer in like within 14 days after the motion is filed with the court.

All motions will be considered submitted at the end of said 14 day period unless time is extended by the Court. There will be no oral hearings granted on said motions unless the parties request an oral hearing in writing and the Court deems it necessary.

3. Continuances: No party shall be granted a continuance of a trial or a hearing without a written motion from the party or his or her counsel stating the reason for the continuance.

When a continuance is requested for the reason that counsel is scheduled to appear in another case assigned for trial on the same date in the same or another trial court of this state, the case that was first set for trial shall have priority and shall be tried on the date assigned. Said request for continuance shall include a copy of the notice of trial from the other court. Criminal cases assigned for trial have priority over civil cases assigned for trial. The granting of any other request for continuance of a scheduled trial is a matter within the discretion of the Trial Court.

If a designated trial attorney has such a number of cases assigned for trial in courts of this state so as to cause undue delay in the disposition of such cases, the Administrative Judge may require the trial attorney to provide a substitute trial attorney. If the trial attorney was appointed by the Court, the Court shall appoint a substitute trial attorney.

4. Judgment Entries: Counsel for the party in whose favor an order or judgment is rendered shall prepare a journal entry. That entry shall be submitted to opposing counsel within five days of the decision. Opposing counsel shall approve or reject the entry within five days. Within 15 days of the decision, the journal entry shall be submitted to the Judge or thereafter, the Court will prepare the journal entry.

Entries of settlement may be filed at any time. The avoidance of trial by settlement shall be allowed without the filing of an entry, but such entry shall be filed within 30 days or the case will be dismissed for want of prosecution.

Upon notification from the clerk that the case has defaulted, prevailing counsel shall submit an application for default judgment within 15 days or the case will be dismissed for want of prosecution.

The journal entry shall state which party will pay the court costs.

RULE 38

CASE MANAGEMENT IN SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS:

The purpose of this rule is to establish, pursuant to the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, Rule 5(B)(1), a case management system for special proceedings to achieve a prompt and fair disposition of these matters. The following civil matters are considered special proceedings and may be heard by a Judge, to wit: small claims, forcible entry and detainer, default hearings and debtor=s exams. The following criminal matters are considered special proceedings and they are to be heard by a Judge, to wit: preliminary hearings, extradition hearings and Bureau of Motor Vehicle hearings.

Scheduling of Events: Cases that have time limits established by the Ohio Revised Code shall be set within those time limits for hearing. In all other special proceedings, the case shall be set for hearing within a reasonable time not to exceed 90 days.

Clerical Steps:

1. In all new cases, if counsel fails to obtain service of summons within six months, the clerk shall notify counsel that the case will be dismissed in ten days unless good cause is shown to the contrary.

2. Upon perfection of service but default of answer, the clerk shall notify counsel of said default and that a failure to submit an entry within 15 days may result in the case being dismissed.

3. After any responsive pleading is filed, the clerk shall immediately forward said pleading and file to the Judge so the matter may be set for a hearing.

4. If no action has been taken on a file for a six month period and the case is not set for trial, then the clerk shall notify the party that the matter will be dismissed within one week unless good cause is shown.

5. When a file has been marked Asettlement to come@ and the entry has not been received within 30 days, then the clerk shall notify the party that his or her case will be dismissed unless the entry is received within ten days.

FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER HEARINGS:

All forcible entry and detainer cases shall be set for hearing before the Judge, pursuant to the time limits set forth in the Ohio Revised Code. At the hearing, the Ohio Rules of Evidence and the applicable Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure will be applied.

If an answer or jury demand is filed in a forcible entry and detainer case, then the clerk shall forward the case to the Judge so the case can be scheduled for the appropriate hearing.

SMALL CLAIMS COURT:

1. A small claims action is commenced by filing a small claims petition, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 1925.04. No defendant is required to file an answer or statement of defense. However, should the defendant fail to appear for the hearing, after being duly served, then a default judgment will be entered against said defendant. All pleadings will be construed to accomplish substantial justice.

2. A small claims action may be transferred to the regular civil docket, at the Court=s discretion, upon the filing of a motion and affidavit as required by Ohio Revised Code Section 1925.10. If, at the discretion of the Court, the case is to be transferred to the regular civil docket, the moving party shall pay the deposit costs for filing.

3. The hearing in small claims court shall be conducted by the Judge. The Judge or Bailiff shall place all parties who plan to offer evidence under oath and then allow the plaintiff and defendant to state their case. The plaintiff and defendant may subpoena and call witnesses if they desire to do so. The Ohio Rules of Evidence and the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure will not apply to a hearing in small claims court.

4. Collection of judgments: The employees of the court shall assist the prevailing parties in collecting their judgments pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 1925.13.

RULE 39 RESERVED

RULE 40 RESERVED

RULE 41 RESERVED

RULE 42 RESERVED

RULE 43 RESERVED

RULE 44 RESERVED

RULE 45 RESERVED

CRIMINAL/ TRAFFIC DIVISION

RULE 46

VIOLATIONS BUREAU:

The violations bureau of the Wadsworth Municipal Court shall process all traffic and criminal minor misdemeanors.

RULE 47

CONSENT OF COURT DISMISSAL:

No criminal or traffic case shall be dismissed or rendered ANolle Prosequi@ without consent of this Court.

RULE 48

INSPECTION OF TRAFFIC AND CRIMINAL CASE FILES:

All records of traffic and criminal cases shall be accessible to the public as required by law. The Clerk of Court, as the person statutorily responsible for the maintenance and safeguarding of the court=s records, may establish reasonable procedures in order to allow public access to the court records without jeopardizing the security and integrity of such records and to allow for the efficient operation of the Clerk=s office and the court.

RULE 49

JURY DEMAND - CRIMINAL/TRAFFIC

All jury demands must be filed within the time limits established by the Ohio Rules of Criminal and or Traffic Procedures and or the Ohio Revised Code. The jury demand may be signed by counsel on behalf of the defendant.

A jury demand does not have to be filed if the offense is Aserious@ as that term is used in the Ohio Rules of Criminal and/or Traffic Procedure.

No cash deposit for costs shall be required to accompany a demand for jury trial. Notice to the court of withdrawal of the jury demand SHALL be made to the Court no later than three business days prior to the date of the jury trial. A withdrawal of the jury demand MUST BE SIGNED BY THE DEFENDANT. It may not be signed by counsel on his or her behalf.

In the event a panel of jurors appears for service and the trial is continued or postponed due to the failure of a party or his or her counsel to comply with this rule, such party shall be assessed the per diem costs of the panel unless such failure to comply is as a result of extreme emergency, conditions beyond the control of the party or his or her counsel or such compliance is waived by the Court.

RULE 50

CASE MANAGEMENT IN CRIMINAL AND TRAFFIC CASES:

The purpose of this rule is to establish, pursuant to the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, Rule 5(B)(1), a system for criminal and traffic case management that will provide the fair and impartial administration of criminal and traffic cases. These rules shall be construed and applied to eliminate unnecessary delay and expense for all parties involved in the court justice system.

Scheduling of Events: The scheduling begins after arraignment. Thereafter, the case is managed in three judicial steps:

1. Motions: All motions shall be made in writing and accompanied by a written memorandum containing the arguments of counsel. Motions must be filed within the time limits established by the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure and or the Ohio Rules of Traffic Procedure. The Court shall determine whether or not a hearing will be held on the motion, but no hearing shall be held unless it is requested by a party to the proceeding. Motions must conform to the requirements set forth in the Criminal and Traffic Rules.

2. Trials: Each case in which a not guilty plea has been entered shall be set for trial. Each case not resolved at pretrial shall proceed to trial. If a jury demand is timely filed, then the case will be moved to the jury trial schedule. All attorneys shall notify the Court by 3 p.m. of the day preceding their trial of any change in plea, or juror costs will be attached to their case.

3. Sentencing: Sentencing hearings shall be set within seven days from trial if no pre- sentence report is requested. After the Court receives the probation report, the Court will set the hearing for sentencing within seven days.

ATTACHMENTS

For attachments, please contact the Bailiff at 330-335-2725.