Local Rule 1. ADMINISTRATIVE / PRESIDING JUDGE (SUP. R. 3 & 4)
1.0 ELECTION
The election of the Administrative / Presiding Judge for the following year will be held at the November Joint Session of the Hamilton County Municipal Court and the term of office shall be for two calendar years, beginning January 1, 2018 and each even numbered year thereafter. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Administrative/Presiding Judge caused by resignation or otherwise, such vacancy (i.e., the remainder of the term) shall be filled by a vote of the majority of permanent judges, said election to occur within 15 days after such vacancy.
1.02 MEETINGS
The Administrative / Presiding Judge shall call and conduct meetings of the Judges of the Court at least quarterly, for the purpose of discussing and resolving administrative issues common to all divisions of the court or any other business that concerns the court.
1.03 ACTING ADMINISTRATIVE / PRESIDING JUDGE
The Administrative / Presiding Judge shall designate the judge or judges who shall be the Acting Administrative / Presiding Judge in his or her absence.
1.04 REPORTS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE / PRESIDING JUDGE
A statistical unit will be established under the direct control of the Administrative / Presiding Judge and will prepare a complete monthly report for each judge and a summary report for the Administrative Judge, which complies with all requirements of Sup. R. 37, 38, 39, & 40.
1.05 COURTROOM & ASSIGNMENT NUMBERS
a. Judges are assigned courtrooms pursuant to seniority, or as may be revised periodically by the Administrative / Presiding Judge. Judges who are assigned a courtroom with a digital recording system which has already been installed will be required to utilize the recording system instead of a court reporter.
b. Judges shall receive a judge’s assignment number for the purpose of assignment of cases by the Assignment Commissioner.
1.06 UNAVAILABILITY OF JUDGE TO SIT IN PARTICULAR SESSION
In the absence of a judge assigned to a particular session, the Administrative / Presiding Judge will assign a judge to carry out the duties of that particular session. Judges should refrain from requesting vacation or seminar while assigned to a particular session unless an arrangement can be made with another judge to sit in particular session with the approval of the Administrative Judge.
1.07 SUBMISSION OF VACATION AND ABSENCE SCHEDULE TO ADMINISTRATIVE / PRESIDING JUDGE
All judges and magistrates of the Hamilton County Municipal Court shall submit their vacation and absence schedule for the current year to the Administrative / Presiding Judge. Vacations and absences will be approved by the Administrative / Presiding Judge based on seniority and pursuant to the provisions of R.C. 1901.12.
1.08 PUBLIC USE OF COURTROOMS
a. Questions of the admission of persons to a courtroom shall be within the province of the judge to whom that courtroom is assigned and within the guidelines of the public access to all court proceedings, consistent with the order and dignity of the Court.
b. No recordings shall be made of any court proceedings without the approval of the judge conducting the proceeding and pursuant to the Rules of Superintendence.
1.09 PUBLIC COMMENT BY THE JUDICIARY
Judges holding special judicial title obtained by election or appointment shall identify themselves by such title only when making statements within such capacity, unless such other statement has been approved by a majority of the judges.
1.10 RELIEF FROM TRIAL DUTY
The duly elected Administrative Judge of Hamilton County Municipal Court may be relieved of a part of trial duties during their term of office to permit him or her to utilize a part of their time to manage the calendar and docket of the court and administrative business. The Administrative Judge shall be responsible by Administrative Order for notifying the Civil and Criminal Assignment Commissioner the extent of the relief.