Though specific state laws will differ, typically your attorney must file a motion requesting a new judge. The motion will outline the reasons why the judge should be changed and include the documentation and evidence. The judge might receive the motion and recuse themselves from the case, though they are under no obligation to do so.
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Apr 13, 2022 · After formal admission by the Court, you may request to make a change to your name through the Attorney Registration Office. Visit www.padisciplinaryboard.org to locate the appropriate request form . You may not practice under a name other than that by which you are currently registered.
Oct 07, 2021 · You must, therefore, always consider how a decision to change lawyers might affect trial strategy and preparedness. Step 3: Ask the Court for a Hearing to Request New Counsel. If you are unable to solve the problem without judicial intervention, you may ask the court for a hearing to request new counsel.
Alternatively, you can submit a letter describing your change of name, address, telephone number, fax number, and/or e-mail address and applicable cases. The attorney's signature must be on the letter. The change would only apply to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The letter can be faxed to (267) 299-7135.
The Unified Judicial System provides forms for citizens, the judiciary and law enforcement. Included on this page are forms for filing civil complaints, private criminal complaints and notices of settlement when cases are privately resolved. Other forms may be found on individual county court websites. .
Alternatively, you can submit a letter describing your change of name, address, telephone number, fax number, and/or e-mail address and applicable cases. The attorney's signature must be on the letter. The change would only apply to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The letter can be faxed to (267) 299-7135. In the case of a name change, you'll need to include a copy of your marriage certificate or other documentation that supports the change.
Currently, there are sixteen courtrooms (thirteen full size and three Magistrate Judge courtrooms) that are fully equipped with evidence presentation and video conferencing capabilities within the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 2.
If the Government is a party to the action, the time for filing a Notice of Appeal is 60 days from the date that the order was entered. For criminal cases, defendants have 14 days from the date that the order was entered to file a Notice of Appeal.
Contact the Federal Defenders Association at (215) 928-1100.
To obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, please submit a letter request that includes a check made payable to “Clerk, USDC” for the $20.00 fee and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Monitors are located on the Judge's bench, the clerk's station, the witness stand , each counsel table, as well as eight monitors in the jury box. Additional monitors can be set up for those sitting in the gallery.
There are no such requirements for complaints. However, some of the judges may have requirements in their own policies and procedures for other pleadings.
Particularly if you're switching attorneys in the middle of a dispute, court case, or other ongoing legal matter, you want your new attorney to have access to these important documents.
You can ask your lawyer to send the files directly to you or your new attorney, in which case the safest way to make the request is in writing, via letter or email. Alternatively, you can pick up a copy of your file in person (but contact the office first, so that it has time to locate and review the contents of your file and make a copy for you).
Be respectful of the attorney and professional in your communications; emphasize that the disagreement and decision are not personal.
Upon request, an attorney is required to promptly hand over the contents of your case files. Under the American Bar Association's Model Rule 1.16 (d) (which has been adopted by most U.S. states), an attorney must, to comply with ethical and professional standards, " [surrender] papers and property to which the client is entitled and [refund] any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred" as soon as the representation is terminated.
Your new attorney will want to communicate with that body and make sure it sends any new correspondence, such as motions from the opposing party, directly to the new attorney.) Your attorney should not charge you a fee for copying the documents in your file.
You may feel that your old lawyer doesn't deserve any more money. But you need to weigh these costs against the harm that could be done to your legal interests if your old lawyer acts in bad faith and holds documents hostage. It might be better to pay your bill in order to facilitate a clean break of the relationship.
In addition, realize that the attorney does not have a legal right to hold files hostage because you owe him or her money. (Any bill collection issues will need to be separately addressed between the two of you.) If the attorney fails to turn over your documents in a timely manner, you can file a complaint with the local bar association or state disciplinary committee.
If your complaint has to do with your lawyer's failure to file a motion to suppress evidence seized during an unlawful search, you want to avoid talking about any facts relating to your knowledge or possession of the items.
The court will order the prosecutor, other lawyers, and the public to leave the court room before conducting the hearing. The only people who will remain in court are: your lawyer, the judge, and the court's staff (bailiff, court reporter, and clerk). The judge will ask you to describe the problem between you and your lawyer.
If All Else Fails, Contact the State Bar Association#N#If the court denies your request for a new lawyer and there is no improvement in your lawyer's performance, you should consider filing a bar complaint before you are forced to go to trial with an ineffective and unprepared lawyer. IMPORTANT: You should only do this if you have a serious concern about your lawyer's representation. Filing a bar complaint will create a conflict of interest between you and your lawyer, requiring the court to provide new counsel. If you file a bogus complaint just to delay the trial, the judge is likely to get very annoyed.
Understand Which Kind of Problems are Most Likely to Get You a New Lawyer#N#Three areas of concern: 1) significant breakdown in communication, 2) failure to investigate, 3) failure to file meritorious motions to exclude damaging evidence. COMMUNICATION: If there is an "irrevocable breakdown" (cannot be fixed) in atty/client relationship, you would be entitled to a new lawyer, so long as you did not cause it. Examples: persistent refusal to take your calls or to let you explain facts critical to your defense, won't explain strategic decisions or seek input, relationship has deteriorated so that the two of you cannot effectively communicate. INVESTIGATION: Lawyer has a responsibility to investigate your case, including interviewing witnesses, examining/testing physical evidence, consulting with appropriate experts, investigating credibility of state's witnesses, finding evidence to support your defense. SUPPRESSION MOTIONS: Lawyer must protect your rights and seek exclusion of damaging evidence unless there is a good strategic reason to fore go the motion.
IMPORTANT: You should only do this if you have a serious concern about your lawyer's representation. Filing a bar complaint will create a conflict of interest between you and your lawyer, requiring the court to provide new counsel.
Try to Work Things Out with Your Current Lawyer First#N#Talk to your current lawyer and express your concerns candidly. Give your lawyer a chance to explain their views and the reason for their strategic choices. It is not uncommon for lawyers and clients to think differently about the case. You may be relieved to find out that your lawyer actually is working hard on your behalf. Your lawyer may be able to show you why your proposed approach would actually hurt your chances. If, after discussing the problem with your lawyer, you still have concerns or your lawyer refuses to discuss the issue with you, then take it to the next step.
The reason for that is simple: the court deems your lawyer to be the expert about how best to protect your interest. The court will not treat you as if you are co-counsel with an equal voice on strategic calls. Your lawyer is responsible for making the strategic decision in the case.
If an issuing authority refuses or fails to transmit the papers as required by these rules, the court may issue a subpoena to compel their production.
The clerk of courts shall, upon request, furnish each defendant against whom an information or informations have been filed with a copy of the information or informations filed against the defendant.
In addition to the release criteria set forth in this rule, in domestic violence cases under Section 2711 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2711, the bail authority must also consider whether the defendant poses a threat of danger to the victim.
When a defendant is arrested without a warrant, it is the arrest itself which institutes proceedings, followed by the filing of a complaint. For the filing of a complaint in summary cases, see Chapter 4, Part C, Procedures in Summary Cases When Complaint is Filed.
Criminal proceedings in court cases are instituted by 1) the filing of a complaint, followed by the issuance of a summons or arrest warrant; or by 2) a warrantless arrest, followed by the filing of a complaint. For the definition of ‘‘court case,’’ see Rule 103.
The provisions of this Rule 531 amended May 2, 2017 , effective July 1, 2017 , 47 Pa.B. 2871. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (383602) and (376055) to (376056).
This rule was amended in 1994 to clarify the procedures that the issuing authority must follow before a complaint may be filed. For the rules governing the issuance of process after a complaint is filed, see generally Rule 509 (Use of Summons or Warrant of Arrest in Court Cases) and Rule 518 (Procedure in Court Cases Initiated by Arrest Without Warrant).
Though specific state laws will differ, typically your attorney must file a motion requesting a new judge. The motion will outline the reasons why the judge should be changed and include the documentation and evidence. The judge might receive the motion and recuse themselves from the case, though they are under no obligation to do so. If the judge does not rescue themselves, you must ask the court for a different judge to decide the motion and determine whether there should be a change.
Changing judges in a child custody case requires showing that the judge is impartial or has acted inappropriately in their handling of the case. It is necessary to document any wrongdoing by the judge, such as rulings against you that are not substantiated by the evidence or proof of a relationship between the judge and the other party.
Presiding over trials where they hear evidence, rule on motions and objections, instruct juries, and make rulings. Ruling on the admissibility of evidence. Presiding over hearings and ruling on motions. Researching the legal issues that are relevant to cases they are hearing. Reading court documents.
It is important to request a transfer early on in the proceedings. A transfer becomes more difficult and less likely the longer the proceedings have been underway. At that point the party requesting the change will likely have to prove that the assigned judge has conducted the trial unfairly.
When presenting a challenge for cause the party making the request must provide specific evidence showing that the judge should be disqualified because they have:
Typically a party will request a new judge because there are facts that indicate the assigned judge may not be impartial. Circumstances that might affect impartiality include: The assigned judge has some financial interest in the outcome of the case. The assigned judge is related in some way to one of the parties.
The prosecutor decides the charges and controls whether they will offer the defendant a plea bargain. The judge cannot overrule the prosecutor ’s decision to charge a defendant with a particular crime; however, the prosecutor does need the judge to agree to the sentence being offered as part of the plea bargain.