A. AREA I COURT
1.) Days and Times – Criminal and Traffic Cases
Butler County Area I Court hears criminal and traffic cases on Thursday of each week. In the morning on Thursdays, a magistrate hears domestic violence cases beginning at 8:00 A.M. and the judge holds court from 10:00 A.M. to 12 noon. At 11:00 A.M, the Court hears reviews of prior cases and Orders to Appear. Prisoners are arraigned at approximately 1:30 P.M. In the afternoon on Thursdays, preliminary hearings, bench trials, and reviews of prior cases begin at approximately 1:30 P.M. or after the completion of the arraignments. Afternoon Court remains in session until all cases on the docket have been heard.
2.) Days and Times – Civil Cases
Every Friday, a magistrate presides over eviction hearings beginning at 1:15 P.M. At 1:30 P.M. small claims and civil cases are heard. Court remains in session until all cases on the docket have been heard.
3.) Pretrial Conferences – Criminal, Traffic and Civil
Pretrial conferences are scheduled by appointment only and each conference has a duration of ten minutes. On Thursdays, criminal and traffic pretrial morning conferences are scheduled from 8:00 A.M. to 9:20 A.M. and again from 12:30 P.M to 1:00P.M. On Fridays, civil pretrial conferences are scheduled from 1:00 P.M. to 1:15 P.M.
B. AREA II COURT
1.) Days and Times – Criminal and Traffic Cases
Butler County Area II Court is in session on Wednesday of each week. The magistrate hears domestic violence cases beginning at 8:00 A.M and the judge holds court from 9:30 A.M. to 12 noon. Traffic cases are heard beginning at 9:30 A.M. Humane association citations and park violations are heard beginning at 11:30 A.M. Prisoners are arraigned at approximately 1:30 P.M. Preliminary hearings, bench trials, and reviews of prior cases begin at approximately 2:30 P.M. Afternoon Court remains in session until all cases on the docket have been heard.
2.) Days and Times – Civil Cases
Every Friday, a magistrate presides over eviction hearings beginning at 8:30 A.M. Beginning at 9:00 A.M., small claims cases and other civil matters are heard. Court remains in session until all cases on the docket have been heard.
3.) Pretrial Conferences – Criminal, Traffic and Civil
Pretrial conferences are scheduled by appointment only and have duration of ten minutes. Criminal and traffic pretrial morning conferences are scheduled from 8:00 A.M. to 9:20 A.M and again from 12:50 P.M. to 1:10 P.M. On Fridays, civil pretrial conferences are scheduled beginning at 9:00 A.M.
C. AREA III COURT
1.) Days and Times – Criminal and Traffic Cases
Butler County Area III Court is in session on Monday of each week and on the third Tuesday of each month. On Mondays, court is in session from 9:00 A.M. to approximately 11:30 A.M. Prior cases are reviewed beginning at 10:30 A.M. On Monday afternoons criminal and traffic cases are heard beginning at 1:00 P.M. and prisoners are arraigned at approximately 2:00 P.M. Preliminary hearings, bench trials, and hearings regarding motions before the court begin at 2:30 P.M. Court remains in session until all cases on the docket have been heard.
Butler County Area III Court is also in session on the third Tuesday of each month from 9:00 A.M. to 12 noon. Motions to suppress evidence, administrative license suspensions and bench trials are heard.
2.) Days and Times – Civil Cases
Every Wednesday, a magistrate presides over eviction hearings beginning at 9:00 A.M. Beginning at 9:30 A.M., small claims cases and other civil matters are heard. Court remains in session until all cases on the docket have been heard.
3.) Pretrial Conferences – Criminal, Traffic and Civil
On Mondays, pretrial conferences are scheduled by appointment only and each conference has a duration of ten minutes. Each attorney may present two cases during each ten-minute conference. Civil and traffic pretrial conferences are scheduled from 7:50 A.M. to 8:50 A.M. and again from 11:50 A.M to 12:50 A.M. On Wednesdays, civil pretrial conferences are scheduled from 8:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.
D. CLERK’S OFFICE
The Office of the Clerk of Courts is located at the Area II Court and is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. If Court is still in session after 5:00 P.M., the Clerk shall have at least one deputy Clerk available in the Clerk’s Office until Court adjourns for the day.
E. JUDGES’ OFFICES
Each judge shall have full discretion in the disposition of the work of his or her office and shall have the right to make his or her own rules and regulations with respect to the time of convening and adjourning.