During the May 19th Case Flow Meeting, a question was raised about returning Call of the Criminal List (COL) of the incarcerated back to the Franklin County Jail (FCJ). This would return to the past practice that was in place prior to COVID and prior to the issuance of Judicial Emergency Orders that were put in place during COVID.  The current practice still in place since COVID has been to hold COL for the incarcerated by video. The use of video will be replaced by returning to in-person at the FCJ.

Warden Bechtold has advised that the jail is prepared to return COL for the incarcerated to the FCJ.

The Criminal Judges are in support of this; therefore, COL for the incarcerated will return to in-person at the FCJ commencing with Judge Sponseller's COL scheduled for June 16th. The same will happen for Judge Shank on June 24th, and Judge Krom on June 27th.  

Barring any unforeseen issues, or the return of a Judicial Emergency Order issued by President Judge Meyers, all the past practice and expectations that were in place prior to COVID are still applicable. Attorneys will continue to be prepared to meet and consult with their incarcerated clients to ensure expedited proceedings. Attorneys can see their clients as early as 8:30am at the jail in order to be prepared.

If there are any concerns with this return to this past-practice, please advise.

Jail administration staff are aware and prepared. Court Administration staff will inform court criers and make sure any and all necessary paperwork is on hand and available at the courtroom inside the FCJ.

Please share this with your staff and anyone that needs to know.

Thank you,

Mark Singer