The Law Mind

Southern District of Ohio

S.D. Ohio — local rules, ECF filing procedures, and judges’ standing orders, readable in full.

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Civil Rules (67)
1.1 General Provisions
1.2 Applicability of the Local Civil Rules
1.3 Local Civil Rules Not Applicable
3.1 Initial Filings
3.2 Civil Action for False Claims
3.3 Patent, Trademark and Copyright Cases
4.1 Preparation of Process
4.2 Service or Waiver of Process
4.3 Service in In Forma Pauperis or Government-Initiated Cases
4.4 Service in a Foreign Country
5.1 General Format of Documents Presented for Filing
5.2 Certificate of Service: Delivery Electronically
5.2.1 Sealed Documents
5.3 Statutory Three-Judge Actions
5.4 Filing Discovery Documents
6.1 Extensions of Time to Move or Plead
7.1 Procedure for Deciding Motions
7.1.1 Disclosure Statements and Judicial Disqualification
7.2 Motions and Other Papers
7.3 Consent to Motions
7.4 Orders
8.1 Social Security Cases: Service, Answer, Schedule, and Pinpoint Citations
10.1 Procedure for Notification of Any Claim of Unconstitutionality
12.1 Pleadings and Pretrial Motions
16.1 Pretrial Procedures
16.2 Pretrial Scheduling Orders
16.3 Alternative Dispute Resolution
23.1 Designation of “Class Action” in the Caption
23.2 Class Action Allegations
23.3 Motions for Determination as Class Action
26.1 Form of Discovery Documents
30.1 Depositions Outside of the Southern District of Ohio
32.1 Presentence Reports
32.2 Revoking or Modifying Probation or Supervised Release
32.3 Production of Probation and Pretrial Services Records; Testimony of Probation and
36.1 Requests for Admission
37.1 Consultation Among Counsel; Informal Discovery Dispute Conference
38.1 Notation of “Jury Demand” in a Pleading
39.1 Juror Note Taking
41.1 Assignment of Previously Dismissed Action
43.1 Examination of Witnesses
43.2 Attorney Testifying as Witness
45.1 Witness Fees
47.1 Communication with Jurors
49.1 Serving and Filing Papers
54.1 Taxation of Costs
54.2 Motions for Attorney’s Fees
55.1 Defaults and Default Judgments
57.1 Publicity and Disclosures
57.2 Procedures in Death Penalty Cases
58.1 Forfeiture of Collateral in Lieu of Appearance
65.1 Temporary Restraining Orders and Preliminary Injunctions
67.1 Bond Requirements in General
72.1 Magistrate Judges
72.2 Assignment of Duties to Magistrate Judges
72.3 Effect of Magistrate Judge Ruling Pending Appeal to a District Judge
77.1 Notice of Orders
77.2 Funds
79.2 Disposition of Exhibits, Depositions, and Other Materials
79.3 Control of Exhibits
82.1 Venue of Actions within the District
83.1 Free Press - Fair Trial Provisions
83.2 Courtroom and Courthouse Security and Decorum
83.3 Admission to the Bar
83.4 Withdrawal or Substitution of Counsel in a Criminal Case
83.5 Signatures on Filings
83.6 Student Practice Rule
Electronic Filing (ECF) Procedures
Electronic Case Filing Procedures
District Forms (54)
Abstract of Judgment
Application and Affidavit by an Incarcerated Person to Proceed Without Prepayment of Fees
Application to proceed Without Prepayment of Fees and Affidavit
Bill of Costs Form
Certificate of Judgment Under §2329.02 Ohio Revised Code
Complaint Form (Prisoner)
Complaint Form (Pro Se)
Complaint Form Under 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(f) (1) - Form
Complaint Re: Social Security Cases - for Pro Se Use ONLY
Copy Work Order Form
Corporate Disclosure Statement
Deposition Subpoena in a Criminal Case
Diversity of Citizenship Disclosure Statement
Electronic Availability of Transcripts
Final Pretrial Order
Lien on Real Property as Security for Bond in a Criminal Case
Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice
Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct a Sentence By a Person in Federal Custody under 28 U.S.C § 2255
Notice of Appeal
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus - State Conviction
Preliminary Pretrial Conference Order
Property Bond Guidelines (Cincinnati)
Protective Order One-Tier
Protective Order Two-Tier
Report on the Filing or Determination of an Action or Appeal Regarding a Copyright
Restitution Payee Name Change Form
Rule 26(f) Report of Parties
Rule 26(f) Report of Parties
SDOH Jury Plan
Social Security Identification Form
Student Practice Rule 83.6 Client and Supervising Attorney Authorization Form:
Student Practice Rule 83.6 Law Student / Law School Certification Form:
Supplemental Civil Cover Sheet for Cases Removed from State Court
Transcript Request Form
U.S. Marshal Form 285
Understanding the Federal Courts
AO 085Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge - AO 085
AO 088Subpoena to Appear and Testify at a Hearing or Trial in a Civil Action - AO 088
AO 088ASubpoena to Testify at a Deposition or to Produce Documents in a Civil Action - AO 088A
AO 088BSubpoena to Produce Documents, Information, or Objects or to Permit Inspection of Premises - AO 088B
AO 089Subpoena to Testify at a Hearing or Trial in a Criminal Case - AO 089
AO 090Subpoena to Testify at a Deposition in a Criminal Case - AO 090
AO 110Subpoena to Testify Before a Grand Jury - AO 110
AO120AO120 Report on the Filing or Determination of an Action Regarding a Patent or Trademark
AO121AO121 Report on the Filing or Determination of an Action or Appeal Regarding a Copyright
USM-285Process Receipt and Return (USM-285)
AO 398Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver of Service of Summons - AO 398
AO 399Waiver of Service of Summons - AO 399
AO 440Summons in a Civil Action - AO 440
AO 441Summons on a Third-Party Complaint - AO 441
AO 451Clerk's Certification of a Judgment to be Registered in Another District - AO 451
AO 458Appearance of Counsel - AO 458
USC 1983Request for Forms - 28 USC 1983 Civil Rights Suit
USC 2254Request for Forms - 28 USC 2254 Writ of Habeas Corpus
National (AO) forms used in every district are searchable too — try “AO 440” or “subpoena to testify at a deposition” in Search.
Standing Orders & Judge Procedures (152)
Court-wide (150)
2nd Amended Order In Re: Reappointment of Karen L. Litkovitz United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee.
2nd Amended Order In Re: Reappointment of Stephanie K. Bowman United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee.
Amended General Order 20-10 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 Regarding Pro Hac Vice Applications
Amended General Order 20-21 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 Appointment of Counsel for Compassionate Rel
Amended General Order 21-20 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
Amended General Order 22-19 General Order 22-19 In Re: Order Rescinding General Order 20-10 Regarding Pro Hac Vice Applications During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Amended General Order 22-20 In Re: Order Rescinding Order Regarding Service of Process by Certified Mail During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Amended General Order 25-04 In re: Holding in Abeyance Civil Matters Involving the United States as a Party
Amended General Order No. 05-05 - Regarding Security Procedures
Amended Order In Re: Order of Appointment of Merit Selection Committee on the Reappointment of Magistrate Judge Michael J. Newman File date: June 13, 2019
Amended Order In Re: Reappointment of Karen L. Litkovitz United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee.
Amended Order In Re: Reappointment of Sharon L. Ovington United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee.
Amended Order In Re: Reappointment of Stephanie K. Bowman United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee.
Amended Order No. 14-05 - In re: Automatic Sealing and Unsealing of Applications for Warrants, Pen Registers, and Trap and Trace Devices, or Application for Court Order Under 18 US
General Order (25-01) In Re: Chief Bankruptcy Judge
General Order (25-02) In Re: Reappointment of Magistrate Judge Chelsey M. Vascura
General Order 18-01 - In Re: Automatic Sealing and Unsealing of Applications for Search Warrants, Pen Registers, Trap and Trace Devices, or Court Orders Under 18 U.S.C. §2703(d).
General Order 18-02 - General Order Holding In Abeyance Civil Matters Involving The United States As A Party
General Order 18-02, Second Amended - Extension of General Order Holding in Abeyance Civil Matters Involving the United States as a Party
General Order 19-01 In Re: Appointment of Southern District of Ohio Federal Public Defender/CJA Panel Attorneys to Represent All Federal Inmates Originally Sentenced in this Distri
General Order 19-02, Order Lifting Second Amended 18-02 Extension of General Order Holding in Abeyance Civil Matters Involving the United States as a Party
General Order 19-03 Superseding General Order 10-05 In Re: Order Superseding All Previous Orders on the Reimbursement of Pro Bono Attorney Expenses in Indigent Litigation
General Order 20-01 re: Adoption of Local Rules
General Order 20-02 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-03 In Re: Naturalizations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-04 Amending General Order 20-02 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-05 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-06 In Re: CJA Panel Attorney Interim Compensation Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-07 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect To Video Teleconferencing For Criminal Proceedings
General Order 20-07A Amended General Order In Re: Court Operations Under The Exigent Circumstances Created By COVID-19 With Respect To Video Teleconferencing For Criminal Proceedin
General Order 20-08 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-09 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 Regarding U.S. Marshal Service of Process
General Order 20-10 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 Regarding Pro Hac Vice Applications
General Order 20-11 In Re: Naturalizations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19.
General Order 20-12 In Re: Temporary Closure of the Potter Stewart Courthouse
General Order 20-13 In Re: Appointment of Southern District of Ohio Federal Public Defender/CJA Panel Attorneys To Represent All Federal Inmates Originally Sentenced In This Distri
General Order 20-14 In Re: Re-Opening Of The Potter Stewart Courthouse
General Order 20-15 In Re: Order Extending Certain Statutory Deadlines For Administrative And Civil Judicial Asset Forfeiture Proceedings And Actions
General Order 20-16 In Re: Naturalizations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-17 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-18 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 20-19 In Re: Appointment of the Local Rules Committee
General Order 20-20 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 Amendment to Court Reconstitution Plan re: Courthouse Entran
General Order 20-21 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 Appointment of Counsel for Compassionate Release Motions.
General Order 20-22 In Re: Provisional Admission to the Southern District of Ohio Bar of Attorneys Granted “Practice Pending Admission” by the Ohio Supreme Court
General Order 20-23 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 Adjustment to the Reconstitution Plan with Respect t
General Order 20-24 re: Adoption of Local Rules
General Order 20-25 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19. Further Adjustment to the Reconstitution Plan with
General Order 20-26 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing For Criminal Proceedings
General Order 20-27 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19. Further Adjustment to the Reconstitution Plan with
General Order 20-28 Court Procedures for Election-Related Matters
General Order 20-29 In re: By-Laws for the Local Rules Committee
General Order 20-30 In Re: Order of Partial Sequestration for all Jury Trials and Grand Jury Sessions Held in the Southern District of Ohio.
General Order 20-31 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19. Extension of General Order 20-27
General Order 20-32 In Re: Temporary Closure to the Public of the Potter Stewart Courthouse
General Order 20-33 In Re: Reopening of the Potter Stewart Courthouse
General Order 20-34 In Re: Appointment of Merit Selection Panel for the Selection of United States Magistrate Judge at Dayton
General Order 20-35 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 with Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 20-36 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-37 re: Adoption of Local Rules
General Order 20-38 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 20-39 In Re: Order Regarding Service of Process by Certified Mail During the COVID-19 Pandemic
General Order 21-01 REPEALED AND REPLACED BY General Order 21-03
General Order 21-02 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-03 REPEALED AND REPLACED by General Order 24-02
General Order 21-04 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-05 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 with Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 21-06 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-07 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-08 In Re: Appointment of Merit Selection Panel for the Selection of United States Magistrate Judge at Dayton
General Order 21-09 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-10 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-11 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-12 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 with Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 21-13 In Re: Order of Partial Sequestration for Venire Persons Required to Remain at the Courthouse for Voir Dire in the Southern District of Ohio
General Order 21-14 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-15 In Re: Appointment of Merit Selection Panel for the Selection of United States Magistrate Judge at Dayton
General Order 21-16 In Re: Order Rescinding General Order 21-13
General Order 21-17 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-18 In Re: Adoption of Local Rules amended July 28, 2021
General Order 21-19 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 21-20 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 21-21 In the Matter of the Appointment of the Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Court for this District
General Order 21-22 In re: Adoption of Local Rules
General Order 21-23 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing For Criminal Proceedings
General Order 22-01 In Re: Privacy Concerns Regarding Social Security Opinions
General Order 22-02 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 22-03 In Re: Compliance with S.D. Ohio Civ. R. 5.1(c)
General Order 22-04 In Re: Assignment of Social Security Appeals to Magistrate Judges in the Southern District of Ohio
General Order 22-05 In Re: Assignment and Reference of Prisoner Cases to Magistrate Judges in the Southern District of Ohio
General Order 22-06 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing For Criminal Proceedings
General Order 22-07 and Local Civil and Criminal Rules for the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio (effective February 7, 2022).
General Order 22-08 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 22-10 In Re: Grand Jury Fees Additional Attendance Fee
General Order 22-11 In Re: Petit Jury Fees Additional Attendance Fee
General Order 22-12 In Re: Order of Partial Sequestration for All Jury Trials and Grand Jury Sessions Held in the Southern District of Ohio - Order Rescinding General Order 20-30
General Order 22-13 In Re: Appointment of Counsel for Compassionate Release Motions – Order Rescinding General Order 20-21
General Order 22-14 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 22-15 In Re: Further Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Ongoing Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
General Order 22-16 Re: Adoption of Local Rules
General Order 22-17 In Re: Adoption of Local Rules and Authorization of Audio Streaming Program
General Order 22-18 In re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 22-19 In Re: Order Rescinding General Order 20-10 Regarding Pro Hac Vice Applications During the COVID-19 Pandemic
General Order 22-20 In Re: Order Rescinding Order Regarding Service of Process by Certified Mail During the COVID-19 Pandemic
General Order 22-21 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 22-22 General Order 22-22 In Re: Court Procedures Relating to Public and News Media Access to Trial Exhibits
General Order 23-01 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 23-02 In Re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 With Respect to Video Teleconferencing for Criminal Proceedings
General Order 24-01 In Re: Payments Prior to Sentencing
General Order 24-04 Re: Adoption of Local Rules
General Order 24-06 In Re: Appointment of Merit Selection Panel for the Reappointment of Chelsey M. Vascura as United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.
General Order 24-07 Re: Adoption of Local Rules as amended October 21, 2024
General Order 25-03 In re: Appointment of Merit Selection Panel for the Selection of United States Magistrate Judge at Columbus
General Order 25-04 In re: Holding in Abeyance Civil Matters Involving the United States as a Party
General Order 25-05 In re: Amendment of Collateral Forfeiture Schedule – Federal Protective Service
General Order 25-06 RE: Appointment of United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio
General Order 26-01 In Re: Reappointment of Stephanie K. Bowman United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio
General Order 26-02 In re: Appointment of Merit Selection Panel for the Selection of United States Magistrate Judge at Cincinnati
General Order 26-03 In re: Appointment of Samuel Courter Morris Shimeall a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio at Columbus
General Order 26-04 In re: Terminated Cases Assigned to Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers
General Order 26-05 In re: Business of the Court – Amendment of Collateral Forfeiture Schedule – United States Forest Service
General Order In Re: Appointment of Caroline H. Gentry a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio
General Order In Re: Chief Magistrate Judge.
General Order No. 17-02 In Re: Exemption from the Electronic Public Access Fees for Retired Court Reporters
General Order No. 17-03 In Re: Exemption from the Electronic Public Access Fees for Retired Court Reporters
General Order No.17-01 In Re: Exemption from the Electronic Public Access Fees for Retired Court Reporters
In re: Amended General Order No. 05-02 Amended Standing Order of Reference
In re: Appointment of Magistrate Judge Chelsey M. Vascura a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio at Columbus
In Re: Appointment of Peter B. Silvain, Jr. a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio at Dayton
In re: Chief Magistrate Judge Appointment of the Honorable Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers as Chief Magistrate Judge
In Re: Chief Magistrate Judge Appointment of The Honorable Karen L. Litkovitz as Chief Magistrate Judge
In re: Order Regarding Deposit and Investment of Registry Funds.
In Re: Reappointment of Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio
In re: Reappointment of Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee
In Re: Reappointment of Karen L. Litkovitz United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio
In Re: Reappointment of Michael J. Newman United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio
In Re: Reappointment of Sharon L. Ovington United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio
In Re: Reappointment of Stephanie K. Bowman United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio
Joint Order In Re Designation of a Certain United States Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of West Virginia to Serve
Order In Re: Appointment of Merit Selection Panel for the Selection of United States Magistrate Judge at Columbus
Order In Re: Order of Appointment of Merit Selection Committee on the Reappointment of Magistrate Judge Michael J. Newman
Order In Re: Reappointment of Karen L. Litkovitz United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee.
Order In Re: Reappointment of Sharon L. Ovington United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee.
Order In Re: Reappointment of Stephanie K. Bowman United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Appointment of Merit Selection Committee.
Order No. 18-02 Amended - Fourteen Day Extension of General Order Holding in Abeyance Civil Matters Involving the United States as a Party
Re: Appointment of United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio
Second Amended General Order No. 05-05 - Regarding Security Procedures
Second Amended Order In Re: Order of Appointment of Merit Selection Committee on the Reappointment of Magistrate Judge Michael J. Newman File date: July 1, 2019
Third Amended General Order No. 05-05 Regarding Security Procedures
Understanding the Federal Courts
Biomorrison (1)
Understanding the Federal Courts — Biomorrison
Bionewman (1)
Chambers Contact Information — Bionewman
Tip: everything on this page is also retrievable in Search (“S.D. Ohio LR 7.1”) and cited by Ask.