Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher A. Wagner

Honorable Christopher A. Wagner

Hamilton County Courthouse
1000 Main Street
Room 330
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Kayla Curtin, Bailiff
Phone Number: 513-946-5890
kcurtin@cms.hamilton-co.org

Susan Irion, Staff Attorney
Phone Number: 513-946-5891
SIrion@cms.hamilton-co.org
Fax Number: 513-946-5894

Judge Wagner Plea & Registration Forms:

CASE Management Conferences

All CMCs are held by telephone, unless otherwise requested. Plaintiff's counsel is to initiate the telephone conference to Defendant's counsel and then to Judge Wagner’s Staff Attorney. If possible, groups of four or more attorneys should set up a conference line.  Requests for production of documents and interrogatories must be served prior to the Case Management Conference. Pursuant to Civ.R. 27(F) attorneys are to meet 21 days prior to the CMC develop a discovery plan for filing 7 days prior to the CMC.  The Court shall set a discovery schedule and Trial schedule during the CMCs.

Civil Docket Case Management

The Court expects to move its docket quickly and efficiently with the goal of disposing of all cases within one year of filing.  Attorneys should be prepared to discuss settlement at the earliest opportunity.

Courtroom Procedures

Motion Practice

To set a hearing on a civil case, contact the Staff Attorney. To set a hearing on a criminal case, contact the Bailiff. A file stamped courtesy copy of the motion should be provided to the court. Typically, we handle criminal motions in the morning and civil motions in the afternoon.

Settlement

Regarding both criminal and civil matters, attorneys are encouraged to reach resolutions on their own. However, if that fails please, the Court will assist in settlement discussions.

Calendaring and Continuances

Continuances of discovery deadlines without Court consent shall be permitted as long as 1) all the parties agree and 2) the extension does not interfere with the dispositive motion date and the Trial date.  Motions for continuances in civil cases must be made in writing even if both parties agree.  The matter may be set for hearing by contacting the Staff Attorney.

Discovery

Discovery is set out in the case management order. Discovery disputes should not linger.  Attorneys are to make all reasonable efforts to settle discovery disputes amongst the parties. Prior to any party filing any Discovery Motion, the parties shall contact Judge Wagner’s Staff Attorney to set an Attorney Conference either via telephone, video, or in-person with the Court as soon as possible.

Pretrials

Judge Wagner Criminal Cases Trial Checklist

Judge Wagner Civil Cases Trial Checklist

The Court will attempt to handle all Pretrials and preferable in person. Video conferencing is available.  The Judge will use Telephone or Video Conference at the Court's discretion.  A Pretrial may be set in-person at the request of the parties.  All attorneys should be prepared to discuss deadlines, motions, settlement to help facilitate the resolve of a case, and readiness for trial.  All attorneys should be prepared to discuss deadlines, motions, settlement to help facilitate the resolve of a case, and readiness for trial. Clients or individuals with full settlement authority are required to be either present at the final Pretrial or available by phone or video. Attorneys for all parties shall converse prior to the Pretrial regarding the case status.

Trials

In accordance with Civ.R. 6, the Court orders that any Motion in Limine is to be filed at least 28 days before Trial.  Any Brief in Opposition is due 14 days thereafter.  No Reply shall be permitted.

Notice of Self Defense and Notice of Alibi must be filed 30 days in advance of trial.  The notices must contain specificity.  Crim. R. 12.1 and 12.2.

The Court additionally orders that at least 2 business days prior to Trial, the parties are to file the following: 1) Witness Lists, 2) Exhibit Lists, 3) Joint Jury Instructions, Jury Interrogatories, and /or Jury Verdict Forms if applicable, and 4) Stipulations.  All exhibits need to be marked in advance and a list submitted to both the Court and the court reporter. The witness list needs to be provided to both the Court and the court reporter before trial.

Transcripts of audio and video exhibits are highly encouraged.  A bench book of exhibits is extremely helpful.  Please prove the Court and the court reporter a bench book and transcripts before trial.  In displaying technical exhibits please contact court staff for an opportunity to practice with the courtroom audio and digital equipment before the trial date.

With respect to civil Jury Instructions, Jury Interrogatories, and Jury Verdict Forms, the Parties are to provide the Court with one consolidated set of Instructions/Interrogatories/Verdict Forms that includes all those to which the Parties agree and that identifies all those to which the Parties disagree.  A courtesy copy in a Word format should be emailed to the Staff Attorney. Any special criminal instructions or defense should be emailed to the Staff Attorney in advance of trial.

Voir dire will be of the panel in the box with individual jurors questioned as they get moved into the box. Jurors may take notes but may not ask questions.

No speaking objections in jury trials.  Please wait for instruction from the Court.

Sentencing

Sentencing Memorandums are highly encouraged and should be filed with the Court no later than 3 days before the sentencing hearing.  A file-stamped courtesy copy should be provided to the court.

Courtroom Etiquette

Attorneys are to be prompt, courteous, and respectful at all times. Attorneys should stand when addressing the Court, questioning witnesses, and when objecting. If a case is in progress, attorneys should quietly wait for the Bailiff or Staff Attorney to approach.  You may be asked to step into the hall to discuss your matter.

Attorneys should be prepared for trial on the day that the trial is set. If an attorney is going to be late, please call.