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Court Rules
Judge John P. O’Donnell
Judge

Judge John P. O’Donnell

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Lake County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Document
10 pgs
Post Pleading DocumentCourt-wide
10 pgs
Document After PleadingsCourt-wide
10 pgs
BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs
Document Except Complaints Counterclaims Cross Claims and Third Party ComplaintsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Deposition Objections

  • Email

Exhibit List

  • 2 copies

Trial Documents, Trial Exhibits

Court-wide
  • At Least 2 Working Days Before Trial

Communication

Phone
350-2662
Scheduling
Cases:
Filters:

Page & Word Limits1 rule

Page LimitsMandatoryCivil cases

The body or text of documents is limited to ten pages, except for complaints, counterclaims, crossclaims, and third-party complaints.

Document
Up to 10 pages

Court's wording

The parties shall abide by Loc.R. 3.01(A), specifically limiting to ten (10) pages the body or text of any document, except a complaint, counterclaim, crossclaim or third party complaint. Further, the Court shall strictly enforce Civ.R. 11.

JudgeODonnell civ ord proc 150609 · p. 3

Document Format Requirements3 rules

FormattingMandatoryCriminal cases

Instructions must be presented to the Court on a CD or by e-mail (CommonPleasCourtII@lakecountyohio.gov) one week before trial.

JudgeODonnell crim ord proc 150609 · p. 2|SectionAmended Order Judgment Entry
FormattingImportantCivil cases

The instructions can be provided by electronic copy in Word or Word Perfect on CD or by email sent to CommonPleasCourtII@lakecountyohio.gov. Neither the written copy nor the electronic copy should be filed with the Clerk of Courts unless preservation of appellate rights is concerned.

JudgeODonnell civ ord proc 150609 · p. 4
FormattingNoteCriminal cases

Word or Word Perfect are acceptable formats.

JudgeODonnell crim ord proc 150609 · p. 2|SectionAmended Order Judgment Entry

Document Filing Requirements11 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Counsel stipulate under provision of Rule 11 to the accuracy of the representations made above.

Pretrial-Statement-JPO · p. 1|SectionPRE-TRIAL STATEMENT
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

If counsel has not been appointed in this manner at arraignment, a Motion for Appointment must be filed along with an Affidavit of Indigency.

JudgeODonnell crim ord proc 150609 · p. 1|SectionAmended Order Judgment Entry
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

Defendant’s counsel must prepare a Judgment Entry directing the Lake County Adult Probation Department to evaluate the defendant, submit a report, prepare a Pre-Sentence report, and obtain a Victim Impact Statement if applicable.

Court's wording

Defendant’s counsel shall prepare a Judgment Entry directing the Lake County Adult Probation Department to evaluate the defendant and submit a report based on the evaluation. The Lake County Adult Probation Department shall be directed to supplement said report by preparation of a Pre-Sentence report. The Entry shall also direct the Adult Probation Department to obtain a Victim Impact Statement pursuant to R.C. §2947.051, if applicable.

JudgeODonnell crim ord proc 150609 · p. 1|SectionAmended Order Judgment Entry
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

Counsel shall also present the Court with a Judgment Entry.

JudgeODonnell crim ord proc 150609 · p. 1|SectionAmended Order Judgment Entry
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

Every pleading, motion, brief, or other filed paper must identify the preparing attorney and include the attorney's email address.

Court's wording

Pursuant to Loc.R. 3.01(C), every pleading, motion, brief or other paper filed in a case shall bear the name of the individual attorney, if any, who prepared such document, together with identifying information as set forth in Civ.R. 11, including in particular, an email address.

JudgeODonnell crim ord proc 150609 · p. 1|SectionAmended Order Judgment Entry
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

Counsel shall submit to the Court proposed instructions for all charges, specifications and affirmative defenses.

JudgeODonnell crim ord proc 150609 · p. 2|SectionAmended Order Judgment Entry
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Every filed pleading, motion, brief, or other paper must identify the preparing attorney and include Civ.R. 11 information, particularly an email address.

Court's wording

Pursuant to Loc.R. 3.01(C), every pleading, motion, brief or other paper filed in a case shall bear the name of the individual attorney, if any, who prepared such document, together with identifying information as set forth in Civ.R. 11, including in particular, an email address.

JudgeODonnell civ ord proc 150609 · p. 1|SectionCASE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Each counsel shall submit the pretrial form to the Court’s bailiff at the time of the pretrial. The pretrial form shall not be filed.

JudgeODonnell civ ord proc 150609 · p. 2|SectionPRETRIAL PROCEDURES
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

A motion requiring an earlier ruling must be emailed to the court immediately upon filing, include certification of service on the motion and copies, and specify the requested advanced rule day.

Court's wording

Counsel filing motions which require ruling prior to the normally anticipated rule day shall bring such motions to the attention of the court immediately upon filing same by email at CommonPleasCourtII@lakecountyohio.gov, and shall certify upon the motion, and copies thereof, service upon all adverse parties, and shall specify the advanced rule day requested of the court.

JudgeODonnell civ ord proc 150609 · p. 2|SectionPRETRIAL PROCEDURES
Filing RequirementsImportantCivil cases

All leaves should be accompanied by a judgment entry.

JudgeODonnell civ ord proc 150609 · p. 2|SectionPRETRIAL PROCEDURES
Filing RequirementsNoteCriminal cases

The parties do NOT need to provide instructions for introductory or closing remarks or general topics such as the burden of proof, evidence, credibility, and verdicts, unless a particular instruction outside of OJI is warranted.

JudgeODonnell crim ord proc 150609 · p. 2|SectionAmended Order Judgment Entry

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Proposed jury instructions must be presented to the court one week before trial.

Instructions must be presented to the Court on a CD or by e-mail (CommonPleasCourtII@lakecountyohio.gov) one week before trial.

Criminal cases

Page 2 | Amended Order Judgment Entry

Trial briefs must be filed with the Clerk of Courts fourteen days before the scheduled trial date.

Trial briefs shall be filed with the Clerk of Courts fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled trial date.

Civil cases

Page 3 | TRIAL PROCEDURES

The settlement judgment entry must be submitted within thirty days after reporting settlement or by the trial date, whichever is earlier, and should dispose of all claims and related claims.

The judgment entry of settlement is to be submitted to the Court within thirty (30) days of reporting settlement or by the trial date, whichever occurs first, and should dispose of all claims, crossclaims, counterclaims, etc.

Civil cases

Page 4

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Hearing notices and non-final appealable judgment entries must be emailed to counsel.

All hearing notices, and Judgment Entries which are not final appealable orders, shall be sent to counsel by email.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | Amended Order Judgment Entry

The defendant and counsel must notify the court in writing of any address change and file the change with the clerk of courts.

Defendant and counsel are obligated to notify the Court in writing and file with the Clerk of Courts any change of address.

Criminal cases

Page 2 | Amended Order Judgment Entry

All hearing notices and non-final-appealable judgment entries must be emailed to counsel, while final appealable orders are excluded.

All hearing notices and Judgment Entries which are not final appealable orders, shall be sent to counsel by email.

Civil cases

Page 1 | CASE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Deposition objections must be filed by motion at least fourteen days before trial, identify the specific objections and pertinent transcript portions, and be emailed as a courtesy copy to the Court.

Where video depositions or written depositions are to be used at trial, objections to any testimony must be filed at least fourteen (14) days before trial by motion, listing the specific objections upon which ruling is required, as well as transcribing those portions pertinent to the objections. Courtesy copy of objections shall be emailed to the Court at CommonPleasCourtII@lakecountyohio.gov.

Civil cases

Page 3 | TRIAL PROCEDURES

Two copies of the exhibit list must be delivered to the Court on the day of trial.

Two (2) copies of the exhibit list shall be delivered to the Court on the day of trial.

Civil cases

Page 4

Sealing & Redaction Procedures

Filing parties and counsel must redact personal and private information, including social security numbers and full financial account numbers, before filing; unredacted documents may be stricken.

Pursuant to the Court of Common Pleas Loc.R. 2.06 certain “personal and private” information, including social security numbers and full financial account numbers, shall not be included in a public record. It is the responsibility of the filing party and counsel to remove such information prior to filing. Documents containing personal and private information that is not redacted may be stricken from the record.

Civil cases

Page 3

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Only one 30-day extension will be permitted for an answer.

Only one (1) thirty day leave will be permitted on the answer.

Civil cases

Page 2 | PRETRIAL PROCEDURES

Filing a leave to plead, motion, or other pleading must not change the scheduled pretrial or trial dates.

The filing of leaves to plead, motions or other pleadings, on any matter, shall not change pretrial or trial dates.

Civil cases

Page 2 | PRETRIAL PROCEDURES

A trial continuance requires a written motion signed by the client, supporting affidavit or other appropriate documentation, and an accompanying judgment entry providing space for the court to insert new dates.

No continuance of a TRIAL date will be granted without filing a written motion with the signature of the client along with a supporting affidavit or other appropriate documentation. The motion must be accompanied by a judgment entry with a blank space for the Court to insert the next appropriate court date(s).

Civil cases

Page 3 | TRIAL PROCEDURES

A continuance of a case management conference, settlement conference, or pretrial may be requested by telephone call to the Assignment Commissioner at (440) 350-2705.

Continuance of any case management, settlement conference or pretrial may be obtained upon a telephone call to the Court’s Assignment Commissioner at (440) 350-2705.

Civil cases

Page 2 | PRETRIAL PROCEDURES

Chambers Communication Rules

The court must be notified immediately by telephone when a nollie prosequi is entered or the defendant wishes to change the plea.

The Court is to be notified by telephone immediately when a nollie prosequi is entered or when the defendant wishes to change their plea.

Criminal cases

Page 2 | Amended Order Judgment Entry

Contact the Court’s Scheduler directly at 350-2662 to request a hearing, request a continuance, or report a settlement.

To request a hearing, request a continuance or report a settlement, please contact the Court’s Scheduler* directly at 350-2662.

Page 1 | Judge John P. O’Donnell

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 323 rules apply across Lake County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 114
  • Applies to
    Certification of appointed counsel

    Appointed counsel must certify awareness of Ohio Revised Code Section 120.03, review of Ohio Administrative Code Section 120-1-10, and ongoing compliance with the applicable training and experience requirements.

  • Applies to
    Judgment entry of settlement

    The judgment entry of settlement is to be submitted to the court by the scheduled trial date and should dispose of all claims, cross-claims, counterclaims, and third-party complaints.

  • Applies to
    Preliminary judicial report

    The PJR must have an effective date within the 30 days before the complaint was filed.

Filing Timing

All 56

  • Judgment entries may be rejected if the applicable items on the foreclosure checklist are not addressed promptly.

  • Opposition papers in a summary-judgment motion must be filed no later than the twenty-eighth day after the motion is filed.

  • Summary-judgment reply papers must be filed no later than the seventh day after the opposition is filed.

Service

All 48

  • Every person listed on the PJR must be properly served with service of process.

  • Applies to
    Appointing judgment entry

    For later-filed cases, the clerk must accept a time-stamped copy of the appointing judgment entry as satisfying the court-designation requirement for an eligible process server.

  • Applies to
    Standing special process server appointment

    A Standing Special Process Server's authority to serve process ends if the server fails to satisfy the rule's requirements during the appointment period.

Fees

All 31
  • Applies to
    Jury summons

    A party settling or dismissing under Civil Rule 41(A) on the day before or morning of trial must pay the jury-summoning cost if a jury was summoned.

  • Fee
    $25
    Applies to
    Financial disclosure form

    Submitting the Financial Disclosure Form triggers a non-refundable $25 application fee unless the court waives or reduces it; any assessed fee must be paid to the clerk of courts within seven days, and inability to pay cannot result in denial of counsel.

  • Fee
    25 dollars
    Applies to
    Standing special process server affidavit and order

    A $25 filing fee is required for the affidavit and order, payable into and applied to Common Pleas Court General Division Special Project No. 1.

More categories

View all Lake County Court of Common Pleas, General Division rules
About Judge John P. O’Donnell

Common Pleas Judge since 2015. Current term 01/05/21-01/04/27. The law established this judgeship effective January 5, 1979.

  • Address: 47 North Park Place, Painesville, Ohio 44077
  • Phone: (440) 350-2662
  • Phone or fax (bailiff): (440) 350-2661
  • Phone or fax (bailiff): (440) 350-2797
  • Phone or fax (court reporter): (440) 350-2704
  • Phone or fax (staff attorney): (440) 350-2792
  • If you have received a Jury Questionnaire or Jury Summons and have questions, please contact the Court’s Bailiff directly at 350-2661.
Common questions about Judge John P. O’Donnell's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge John P. O’Donnell?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for deposition objections. Details: by email. Deposition objections must be filed by motion at least fourteen days before trial, identify the specific objections and pertinent transcript portions, and be emailed as a courtesy copy to the Court.

View ruleSource: page 3, section TRIAL PROCEDURES

What page or word limits apply to document before Judge John P. O’Donnell?

Judge John P. O’Donnell's rule states these limits: 10 pages. The body or text of documents is limited to ten pages, except for complaints, counterclaims, crossclaims, and third-party complaints.

View ruleSource: page 3

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge John P. O’Donnell?

Judge John P. O’Donnell's formatting rule includes electronic copy in word or word perfect on cd, or by email to commonpleascourtii@lakecountyohio.gov. and neither the written copy nor the electronic copy should be filed with the clerk of courts unless preservation of appellate rights is concerned.. Proposed jury instructions may be submitted in Word or Word Perfect on a CD or by email to the Court, but ordinarily should not be filed with the Clerk unless needed to preserve appellate rights.

View ruleSource: page 4

What must be included with pretrial statement filings before Judge John P. O’Donnell?

Counsel must stipulate under Rule 11 that the pre-trial statement representations are accurate.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PRE-TRIAL STATEMENT

What must be included with motion for appointment filings before Judge John P. O’Donnell?

If counsel has not been appointed by arraignment, a motion for appointment must be filed with an affidavit of indigency.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Amended Order Judgment Entry

How may parties contact Judge John P. O’Donnell's chambers?

The court must be notified immediately by telephone when a nollie prosequi is entered or the defendant wishes to change the plea.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Amended Order Judgment Entry

How does Judge John P. O’Donnell handle sealed or redacted filings?

Filing parties and counsel must redact personal and private information, including social security numbers and full financial account numbers, before filing; unredacted documents may be stricken.

View ruleSource: page 3

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge John P. O’Donnell?

Filing a leave to plead, motion, or other pleading must not change the scheduled pretrial or trial dates.

View ruleSource: page 2, section PRETRIAL PROCEDURES

What filing deadlines does Judge John P. O’Donnell set?

Proposed jury instructions must be presented to the court one week before trial.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Amended Order Judgment Entry

What rule applies to e-service before Judge John P. O’Donnell?

Details: method: e-service. Hearing notices and non-final appealable judgment entries must be emailed to counsel.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Amended Order Judgment Entry
Complete rules summary for Judge John P. O’Donnell

Counsel must stipulate under Rule 11 that the pre-trial statement representations are accurate.

Contact the Court’s Scheduler directly at 350-2662 to request a hearing, request a continuance, or report a settlement.

If counsel has not been appointed by arraignment, a motion for appointment must be filed with an affidavit of indigency.

Appointed counsel must present the court with a judgment entry.

Every pleading, motion, brief, or other filed paper must identify the preparing attorney and include the attorney's email address.

Hearing notices and non-final appealable judgment entries must be emailed to counsel.

Defendant’s counsel must prepare a Judgment Entry directing the Lake County Adult Probation Department to evaluate the defendant, submit a report, prepare a Pre-Sentence report, and obtain a Victim Impact Statement if applicable.

Parties need not provide proposed instructions for introductory or closing remarks or listed general topics unless a particular instruction outside the Ohio Jury Instructions is warranted.

Proposed instructions must be delivered to the court on a CD or by email one week before trial.

Word is an acceptable format for proposed jury instructions.

Proposed jury instructions must be presented to the court one week before trial.

The court must be notified immediately by telephone when a nollie prosequi is entered or the defendant wishes to change the plea.

Counsel must submit proposed jury instructions covering all charges, specifications, and affirmative defenses.

The defendant and counsel must notify the court in writing of any address change and file the change with the clerk of courts.

Any requested leave should be accompanied by a judgment entry.

Two copies of the exhibit list must be delivered to the Court on the day of trial.

Every filed pleading, motion, brief, or other paper must identify the preparing attorney and include Civ.R. 11 information, particularly an email address.

All hearing notices and non-final-appealable judgment entries must be emailed to counsel, while final appealable orders are excluded.

A motion requiring an earlier ruling must be emailed to the court immediately upon filing, include certification of service on the motion and copies, and specify the requested advanced rule day.

Filing a leave to plead, motion, or other pleading must not change the scheduled pretrial or trial dates.

Only one 30-day extension will be permitted for an answer.

Counsel must give the pretrial form to the court’s bailiff at the pretrial, and the form must not be filed.

A continuance of a case management conference, settlement conference, or pretrial may be requested by telephone call to the Assignment Commissioner at (440) 350-2705.

The body or text of documents is limited to ten pages, except for complaints, counterclaims, crossclaims, and third-party complaints.

Filing parties and counsel must redact personal and private information, including social security numbers and full financial account numbers, before filing; unredacted documents may be stricken.

A trial continuance requires a written motion signed by the client, supporting affidavit or other appropriate documentation, and an accompanying judgment entry providing space for the court to insert new dates.

Deposition objections must be filed by motion at least fourteen days before trial, identify the specific objections and pertinent transcript portions, and be emailed as a courtesy copy to the Court.

Trial briefs must be filed with the Clerk of Courts fourteen days before the scheduled trial date.

Proposed jury instructions may be submitted in Word or Word Perfect on a CD or by email to the Court, but ordinarily should not be filed with the Clerk unless needed to preserve appellate rights.

The settlement judgment entry must be submitted within thirty days after reporting settlement or by the trial date, whichever is earlier, and should dispose of all claims and related claims.

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