Judge Bill Hedrick

Decorum

Litigants, counsel for the parties, and witnesses must be respectful to one another and to all parties in the courtroom. Cell phones and wireless devices must be on silent while in the courtroom.

Motions & Briefs

Motions to be submitted timely and served on opposing parties. Motions may be ruled on without oral hearing unless requested. All motions to be submitted to the Court at lest five (5) days before trial date.

Continuances

Continuances and extensions will be granted if reasonably possible with the understanding that all cases should be resolved within the time frames and guidelines of the Rules of Superintendence. Requests for continuances should be presented to the Court a minimum of five (5) days prior to the court date. Opposing parties must be contacted regarding request.

General

For most civil cases, the Court will refer the case for mediation shortly after it is assigned. If mediation is unsuccessful, the Court will generally set the case for pretrial.

Proper courtroom etiquette is to be observed. Everyone is to be treated in a respectful and courteous manner. The Court expects litigants, counsel and witnesses to be respectful to one another. Counsel should request permission to approach the bench or a witness.

Pretrial/Status Conferences

Status conferences will be held only if requested by the parties or deemed necessary by the Court.

Motions & Briefs

Motions are to be submitted timely and served on opposing parties. A motion may be ruled on without an oral hearing unless one is requested. Motions addressed to trial issues are to be submitted to the Court at least five (5) business days before trial. A courtesy copy of such a motion should be delivered to the chambers the same day it is filed.

General

It is in the best interest to file for discovery early, get it and review it, so that appropriate motions can be filed within the time period set forth in the criminal rules: 35 days after arraignment or 7 days before trial, whichever is earlier. Motions filed out of rule, unless there are extenuating circumstances, will be denied.

Parties should not come to pretrial to get discovery. Rules of criminal procedure must be followed and a discovery demand filed. If requested discovery is not obtained in a timely fashion, a motion to compel must be filed and the Court must be provided with a file-stamped copy to schedule a hearing.

If an agreement is worked out with the prosecuting attorney to resolve the case, parties need not wait for a scheduled hearing date. The Judge will take unscheduled pleas, with the agreement of the prosecuting attorney, at almost any time.

Pretrial/Status Conferences

Criminal defendants should be present at all pretrial hearings unless a non-appearance is approved by the Court. **Note there may be some flexibility on this because of COVID for charges not involving violence or threats of violence.

Counsel should be prepared to discuss the case with the prosecutor and attempt to reach a resolution on the matter at pretrial if at all possible.

General

The Judge expects everyone in the courtroom to be respectful and courteous. Counsel should ask permission to approach a witness. Judge Hedrick has no attire requirements or prohibitions. Cell phones should be silent in the courtroom. Outside of needed court functions, conversations should be conducted in the hallway not the courtroom.

Dates

Continuances will be granted when requested if it is within the rule, at least one week prior to trial. Opposing parties must be contacted regarding requests.

Jury Procedures

The Court will do brief background and introductions of jurors, then counsel conducts voir dire. Peremptory challenge procedures are by the rules. The Court generally seats two alternates in addition to the sworn jurors. All questioning during voir dire is limited to the seated jurors and not the entire pool. Jurors are permitted to inspect exhibits at trial and in the jury room. The jury is instructed by the Judge. Counsel is permitted to talk with jurors after the verdict is read.

Other

Exhibits should be marked ahead of time with copies available to the Court and the parties. The originals will be maintained by the court reporter. Qualifications of experts should be confirmed in accordance with the law and the rules.