Common Pleas Court Judge Leah Dinkelacker

Honorable Leah Dinkelacker

Hamilton County Courthouse
1000 Main Street
Room 560
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Mitch Gillen, Bailiff
Phone Number: 513-946-5750

Tom Blatz, Staff Attorney
Phone Number: 513-946-5749
Fax Number: 513-946-5751

COURTROOM PROCEDURES

CRIMINAL CASES

Scheduling is done through the bailiff.

I do require Defendants to be present at all court dates except DSCs.

After filing a motion, please take a copy of the motion to the courtroom and meet with the bailiff to get a hearing date.

When a case is set for trial, I expect it to go on the date set. To obtain a continuance, please file an appropriate motion.

CIVIL CASES

CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES

Case Management Conferences are handled by the staff attorney. The Case Management Conferences may be held via telephone. Please contact the staff attorney in advance if you need to reschedule the initial Case Management Conference.

MOTION FILING

After filing the motion, please take a copy of the motion to the courtroom and meet with the staff attorney to get a hearing date if needed. All Civil motions are usually heard in the afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Any motion can be set for an oral argument. I try to rule on all motions within two (2) weeks of arguments.

SETTLEMENT

Attorneys are encouraged to reach case resolution on their own. The Court will assist in settlement discussions in civil cases if requested.

CONTINUANCES

When a case is set for trial, I expect it to go on the date set. To obtain a continuance, please file an appropriate motion.

PRETRIAL CONFERENCES

Pretrial statements are due 1 week prior to the pretrial conference. Counsel should follow the format of the Local Rules. All counsel and clients are required to appear in person at Pretrial Conferences.

CIVIL JURY TRIAL

Proposed jury instructions should be filed and emailed to the staff attorney at least two weeks before trial. Please send these in Word format for easy editing. If testimony is to be presented by videotape or deposition, objections should be presented at least one week before trial.

COURTROOM ETIQUETTE

Counsel is expected to be professional, respectful, and courteous at all times. My staff and I will act in the same manner.

AVAILABLILTY

I will make myself available to counsel to help resolve any problems.