Judge Craig L. Schwall Sr.
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Filings > 45 pages
- Hand Delivery
Adjournments
- Parties must notify the Court immediately of any problem that could delay deadlines; deadline or hearing date modifications require Court approval even with party consent; extension requests must be made before the deadline expires; continuances require good cause.
- No extension of time for discovery will be granted except in extraordinary circumstances where a request is made and good cause shown prior to the expiration of the discovery period.
- Requests for an extension of the Discovery Date deadline must be filed by written motion by that deadline and must include a detailed, fact-based explanation of the need for the extension.
- +2 more
Request must include
- Parties seeking a continuance or status conference must notify the court in writing at least 30 days before the Final Plea and Trial Date, identifying the specific grounds, absent good cause.
Communication
Chambers4 contacts
- rupal.romero@fultoncountyga.gov
- april.woods@fultoncountyga.gov
- april.woods@fultoncountvga.gov
- (404) 612-8681
Clerk3 contacts
- c.eliseporting@outlook.com
- sca.techsupport@fultoncountyga.gov
- (404) 612-5152
Page & Word Limits4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Mandatory
Briefs and responsive briefs are limited to 25 pages, excluding exhibits, unless the Court grants written permission to exceed.
Except upon written permission of the Court, briefs and responsive briefs shall be limited to twenty-five (25) pages in length, excluding exhibits. Approval to exceed this page length may be requested informally by email.
Brief
25 pages
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Requests for leniency must be in writing, on point, directed to the Court, and limited to three pages.
Any requests for leniency must be in writing and on point and directed to the Court and not others. These requests are to be no longer than three pages in length and may be read by the Defendant, the Defendant’s family or loved ones, or Defendant’s ' attorney.
Request For Leniency
3 pages
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Victim impact statements must be in writing, on point, directed to the Court, and limited to three pages.
All victim impact statements must be in Writing and on point and directed to the Court and not others. They are to be no longer than three pages in length and may be read by the victim, victim's family or representative, or the prosecutor.
Victim Impact Statement
3 pages
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The motion shall be limited to no more than 10 pages, double spaced. Responses to the discovery motion shall be filed within 1 week of the filing of the discovery motion and shall be limited to no more than 10 pages, double spaced.
Summary: Discovery motions and responses are each limited to 10 pages, double spaced.
Discovery Motion
10 pages
Discovery Response
10 pages
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Note
Proposed orders may be emailed in Word format.
Proposed orders may be emailed in Word format to the Staff Attorney.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements23 rules
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Mandatory
Discovery extension motions must include a detailed fact-based explanation and a proposed order.
Such motions must provide a detailed, fact- based explanation of the need for the extension including the amount of time actually needed to provide outstanding discovery, along with a proposed order for the Court’s
Document Type
Discovery Extension Motion
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Mandatory
Parties must provide written notice of expert testimony (with a summary and qualifications) at least 14 days before trial and 7 days before any evidentiary hearing.
Experts. Any party seeking to rely on expert testimony at trial (or any evidentiary hearing) must provide written notice to the opposing party. This notice must include a meaningfiil summary of the expert’s testimony as well as her qualifications to serve as an expert witness. The notice must be provided at least fourteen days before trial and seven days before any evidentiary
Document Type
Expert Notice
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Mandatory
Motions in limine must be limited to discrete evidentiary or procedural matters; improper attempts to raise pre-trial matters will be denied as untimely absent good cause.
All motions in limine. Each such motion shall be a separate document and attachment to the email to opposing counsel and to Ms. Little. Such motions should be limited to discrete evidentiary or procedural matters, such as the admissibility of a specific piece of evidence. As mentioned above, it is not proper to attempt to raise, as a motion in limine, matters that should have been resolved during the pre-trial motions phase of proceedings, such as the submission of identification evidence or a confession or a motion to sever, etc. Such a motion cast as a motion in Zimine will be denied as untimely absent good cause shown.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Mandatory
Parties must mark exhibits before trial, provide an exhibit list (two hard copies to the Court and one to each opposing party) prior to jury selection, preview exhibits with opposing counsel, and obtain Court approval before publishing exhibits to the jury.
Exhibits should be marked before trial. Any party that intends to introduce exhibits during trial shall provide two hard copies of an exhibit list to the Court (one to the judge and one to the court reporter) and one copy to each opposing party prior to jury selection; The exhibit list should include for each exhibit both the exhibit number and a brief description of what the exhibit purports to be. Counsel are under a continuing obligation to preview exhibits with opposing counsel before relevant witnesses are called to the stand. It is not an appropriate use of the jurors' time to have the parties reviewing proposed exhibits while the witness waits on the stand and the jurors sit idly in the box. Counsel shall obtain approval from the Court before publishing any evidence/exhibits to the jury.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Mandatory
Proposed orders must be submitted by email to the Court and opposing counsel simultaneously within three business days of the ruling unless directed otherwise.
Proposed orders shall be submitted by email to the Court (April.Woods@fultoncountvga.gov) and opposing counsel simultaneously and within three business days of the pronouncement of that order or judgment unless directed otherwise by the Court.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Mandatory
No attorney may appear before the Court until filing an entry of appearance complying with U.S.C.R. 4.2 or a notice of substitution of counsel complying with U.S.C.R. 4.3(3).
No attorney shall appear in that capacity before the Court until the attorney has filed an entry of appearance that fully complies with U.S.C.R. 4.2 or a notice of substitution of counsel that fully ' complies with U.S.C.R. 4.3(3).
Document Type
Entry Of Appearance
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Discovery objections must be stated with specificity; general or boilerplate objections may be disregarded unless accompanied by a specific explanation.
Objections to discovery requests must be stated with specificity. General or boilerplate objections are disfavored and may be disregarded by the Court unless accompanied by a specific explanation.
Document Type
Discovery Response
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Parties may not submit individual portions of the pre-trial order without written certification of good-faith efforts to consolidate.
No party may submit their own individual portions of the pre-trial order to the Court without written certification detailing their good-faith efforts to present the Court with a fully consolidated order.
Document Type
Pretrial Order
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
If parties cannot agree on deposition testimony exclusions, they must jointly prepare a list of page/line numbers and provide it with their motions in limine.
If the parties intend to rely on deposition testimony, they shall confer prior to trial and attempt to agree on the testimony to be presented. If they cannot agree on what portions of the deposition testimony should be excluded, they are instructed to jointly prepare a list of the page and line numbers at issue and provide it to the Court at the time they file their motions in limine, along with the relevant text from the deposition.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
All exhibits and demonstrative evidence must be marked with exhibit labels and exchanged among the parties before trial.
All exhibits and demonstrative evidence shall be marked with exhibit labels and exchanged among the parties prior to the beginning of the trial of the case.
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Parties requesting non-pattern charges must provide the citation to applicable authority and a physical copy of the published case.
In requesting non-pattern charges, parties shall provide the cite to applicable statutory or case authority and shall provide a physical copy of the published case.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
For DVD/CD exhibits, parties must provide the court reporter with the original and one copy contained in a hard case.
Regarding DVD/CD exhibits, parties shall provide the court reporter with the original and one copy of the DVD/CD. They will need to be contained in a hard case (e.g., jewel case).
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Parties may not file non-specific 'form' motions to compel discovery or to exclude evidence, and such motions will not be considered.
The parties are ordered not to file “form” motions seeking an order compelling the generalized disclosure of discoverable materials or the general exclusion of evidence. Any such non-specific “form” motions will not be considered by the Court.
Document Type
Motion To Compel Discovery
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
For pattern jury charges, only the charge number is submitted; for non-pattern or modified charges, full text and supporting authority must be submitted.
Proposed Jury Charges. The parties’ must submit all proposed requests to charge which, for the State, includes charges of the particular offense(s) alleged in the indictment. For pattern charges, each party is to submit ONLY the pattern charge NUMBER and not the text of the charge itself. For all non-pattern or modified pattern charges, the parties are required to submit the full text and cite the case law, statute or other authority supporting such requested charge.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Charges
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
The witness list need only include each witness's name and title or position, and is separate from discovery requirements.
A list of all potential witnesses. This witness list is for the Court?s use during voir dire and need not list anything more than the witnesses’ name and any applicable title or position. This list is separate from all pre-trial discovery requirements concerning witnesses, including the disclosure of all requisite identifying information and the content of expert opinions, if any.
Document Type
Witness List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If the good faith efforts to resolve the dispute are not successful, then at the time of filing the motion, “counsel shall also file a statement certifying that such conference has occurred and that the effort to resolve by agreement the issues raised failed.” U.S.C.R. 6.4(B).
Summary: Counsel must file a statement certifying that a conference occurred and that efforts to resolve the dispute by agreement failed.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If a party files a jury demand, or if a party anticipates wanting a trial by jury, then the parties shall submit, by email, a fully consolidated pre-trial order directly to the Staff Attorney no later than one week before the trial calendar begins.
Summary: Parties must submit a fully consolidated pre-trial order by email to the Staff Attorney no later than one week before the trial calendar begins.
Document Type
Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Certification: Any attorney or pro se litigant who uses Al in any capacity to prepare, draft, or review a filing shall disclose such use in the document with the following certification: This document was generated with the assistance of [identify Al tool(s) used, e.g., Chat GPT, Perplexity, Claude, etc. ]. | hereby certify under penalty of perjury that, despite reliance on an Al tool, have independently reviewed this document to confirm | accuracy, legitimacy, and use of good and applicable law. Page 1 of 2 ===== PAGE 2 ===== | hereby certify under penalty of perjury that every citation to law, case, statute, or the record in this document has been verified as accurate and that it exists as cited and for the proposition cited. The above certification must appear at the end
Summary: Any attorney or pro se litigant using AI to prepare, draft, or review a filing must include a specified AI-use and citation-verification certification at the end of the document before the signature block.
Document Type
Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the Court taking appropriate action, including without limitation striking the filing, imposing sanctions, or disciplinary referral. Mistake, lack of technical expertise, or time constraints will not be accepted as good faith excuses for noncompliance. The use of Al does not relieve any attorney or pro se litigant of their ethical obligations and/or professional obligations (such as Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 and 3.1).
Summary: Noncompliance with the AI certification order may result in striking the filing, sanctions, or disciplinary referral; mistake, lack of technical expertise, or time constraints are not accepted as excuses, and AI use does not relieve ethical or professional obligations.
Document Type
Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Each party shall list by title and pattern number the applicable pattern charges that they request be given, using the current pattern charges published by the Council of Superior Court Judges, (the pattern charges are updated January and July of each year).
Summary: Each party must list requested pattern charges by title and pattern number using the current pattern charges published by the Council of Superior Court Judges.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Parties shall mark with exhibit labels and provide all documentary evidence to the court reporter in digital format at the time of tender, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Summary: Parties must provide all documentary evidence to the court reporter in digital format at the time of tender, unless otherwise ordered.
Document Type
Exhibits
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Note that any Leave of Absence not filed or served pursuant to U.S.C.R. 16.1 or 16.2 or filed prior t0 entry 0fappearance 0f counsel in the case at issue and not served upon chambers, stands denied under U.S.C.R. 16.4. Note
Summary: A Leave of Absence that is not filed and served pursuant to U.S.C.R. 16.1 or 16.2, is filed before counsel's entry of appearance, or is not served upon chambers stands denied.
Document Type
Leave Of Absence
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Note that unless U.S.C.R. 17.1 is followed in all its subsections, then the attorney shall not be deemed to have a conflict pursuant to U.S.C.R. 17.1(A).
Summary: An attorney is not deemed to have a conflict under U.S.C.R. 17.1 unless U.S.C.R. 17.1 is followed in all its subsections.
Document Type
Conflict Letter
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
E-filing is mandatory in Fulton County Superior Court; all parties must create an eFileGA account and add a service contact.
Electronic filing (e-filing) is mandatory in Fulton County Superior Court effective October 5, 2015. All parties shall create an account with eFileGA and add a service contact to this case to ensure consistent service of orders and other notices from the Court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 1 | SECTION 1. E-FILING NOTICE
Due to eFileGa size limits, parties must scan exhibits individually and email them to the court reporter or place them on a disk.
Due to the size limits of eFileGa, parties are required to: (1) scan all exhibits individually and email them to the court reporter; or (2) scan all exhibits individually and place them on a disk for the court reporter.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 8 | 12.6 Digital Submission of Exhibits
For oversized or non-paper exhibits, parties may submit a digital photograph of the object marked with an exhibit sticker.
For oversized or non-paper exhibits, e.g., guns, poster boards, etc., parties may submit a digital photograph of the object marked with an exhibit sticker.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 8 | 12.6 Digital Submission of Exhibits
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
If a defendant files a pre-Answer motion under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(b), the Answer deadline is postponed until 15 days after the Court rules on the motion.
Pursuant to changes implemented by the the 2025 Tort Reform Act, if a defendant files a pre-Answer motion pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(b), the deadline to file an Answer is postponed until 15 days after the Court rules on that motion.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 2 | SECTION 5. EARLY MOTIONS
Responses to discovery motions must be filed within 1 week of the motion's filing.
Responses to the discovery motion shall be filed within 1 week of the filing of the discovery motion and shall be limited to no more than 10 pages, double spaced.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 4 | 6.5 Discovery Disputes
Attorneys must email proposed verdict forms in Word format to the Staff Attorney at least one week before trial.
The attorneys shall submit any proposed verdict forms to the Staff Attorney by email in Word format no later than one week prior to the beginning of the trial calendar.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 7 | 12.3 Verdict Forms
Discovery motions may be filed any time after the Discovery Date deadline passes and no later than the Motions Due Date identified in the CSSO.
Such motion may be filed any time after the Discovery Date deadline has passed and no later than the Motions Due Date which is identified in the separate CSSO entered in each Defendant's case.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Pre-trial submissions must be filed with the Clerk of Court by 4 p.m. one business day before the first day of trial, or by the time parties are ordered to appear if notice is shorter.
Pre-Trial Submissions due 4 pm. one business day before trial. Once a case is called in for trial for a set date (as opposed to the call of the trial calendar), the parties are required to file with the Clerk of Court, serve on opposing counsel by email and submit by email to Litigation Manager April M. Woods at April.Woods@fultoncountvga.gov, by 4 p.m. one business day before the first day of trial, the following FIVE ITEMS (if the case is called to trial with less than one business day notice, these submissions are due by the time the parties are ordered to appear in Court):
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 7
Supplemental discovery must be provided as soon as practicable, and no later than 5 business days after receipt of additional discoverable information.
Any supplemental discovery must be supplemented as soon as practicable, but in any event no later than 5 business days after receipt of any additional information, documents, reports or other matters which are subject to disclosure pursuant to applicable criminal discovery statutes.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 2 | DISCOVERY
Attorneys are ordered to scan individually and email to the court reporter all exhibits within 5 business days after final, due to the size limits of eFileGa.
Due to the size limits of eFileGa, the attorneys are ordered to scan individually and email to the ' I court reporter all exhibits within 5 business days after final
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 11 | EXHIBITS / COURT REPORTER
Discovery dispute motions must be filed within 20 days of the triggering response or event, and no later than the close of discovery absent Court Order.
Any motion seeking resolution of a discovery dispute shall be filed within 20 days from the date of the response or event (e.g., deposition) that is the subject of the motion, and in no event later than the close of discovery absent Court Order.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | 6.5 Discovery Disputes
Parties must email proposed jury charges in Word format to the Staff Attorney at least three business days before trial.
Parties shall email proposed jury charges in Word version to the Staff Attorney at least three business days before the beginning of the trial calendar.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 7 | 12.4 Jury Charges
Expert disclosures must be made no later than 30 days before the end of discovery unless the parties jointly request and the Court orders otherwise.
Expert disclosures shall be made no later than 30 days prior to the end of discovery, unless otherwise requested jointly by the parties and ordered by the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | 6.2 Expert Discovery
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Pre-trial submissions must be served on opposing counsel by email.
serve on opposing counsel by email
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 7
All parties must add a service contact to the case to ensure consistent service of orders and notices.
All parties shall create an account with eFileGA and add a service contact to this case to ensure consistent service of orders and other notices from the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | SECTION 1. E-FILING NOTICE
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Motions and response briefs over 45 pages (including exhibits) must be hand delivered or mailed to Chambers.
If a motion or response brief is over forty-five (45) pages in length, including exhibits, it must be hand delivered or mailed to Chambers.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 5 | SECTION 8. MOTIONS
A courtesy copy of any motion (including extension motions) must be provided to Chambers via email to April M. Woods.
consideration. As with all motions, a courtesy copy of any motion for extension must be provided to Judge Schwall’s Chambers Via email to April M. Woods at
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 2 | DISCOVERY
Filing Bundling Requirements
Each motion in limine must be a separate document and attachment to the email.
Each such motion shall be a separate document and attachment to the email to opposing counsel and to Ms. Little.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 7
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must confer prior to filing a discovery dispute motion, per Uniform Superior Court Rules 6.4(A) and (B).
The motion must conform to the requirements of Uniform Superior Court Rules 6.4(A) and (B), including without limitation the requirement that the parties confer prior to the filing of a motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | 6.5 Discovery Disputes
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Parties must notify the Court immediately of any problem that could delay deadlines; deadline or hearing date modifications require Court approval even with party consent; extension requests must be made before the deadline expires; continuances require good cause.
Notify the Court immediately of any problem or dispute (e.g., discovery issues, witness unavailability, illness, or the late addition of parties or claims) that could delay the deadlines or hearing dates set by the Court. Modification of any deadline or hearing date requires the Court's approval, even if all parties consent to the change. Any requests for deadline extensions should be made as soon as the need arises and before the deadline expires. No continuances will be granted except for good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 2 | SECTION 4. DEADLINE EXTENSIONS, GENERALLY
Requests for an extension of the Discovery Date deadline must be filed by written motion by that deadline and must include a detailed, fact-based explanation of the need for the extension.
Any request for an extension of the Discovery Date deadline shall be submitted by written motion to the Court by the Discovery Date deadline. Such motions must provide a detailed, fact- based explanation of the need for the extension including the amount of time actually needed to provide outstanding discovery, along with a proposed order for the Court’s
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 2 | DISCOVERY
Outstanding forensic testing must be brought to the Court's attention by a timely extension request filed before the Discovery Deadline.
Any outstanding forensic testing, requested by either party, must be brought to the Court's attention by way of a timely request for extension filed PRIOR TO the Discovery Deadline to prevent delays in the trial and other Court dates and deadlines.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 2 | DISCOVERY
Parties seeking a continuance or status conference must notify the court in writing at least 30 days before the Final Plea and Trial Date, identifying the specific grounds, absent good cause.
In the event a party intends to seek a continuance or has any other problem with going forward with trial on the assigned Final Plea and Trial Date due to incomplete production of discovery, incomplete witness information, client difficulties, a request for a psychological evaluation or otherwise, that party must notify the court by written request for a continuance and/or a status conference at least 30 days before the Final Plea and Trial Date absent good cause shown. The written request must specifically identify the grounds for the continuance, conference or other problems with going forward with trial.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 6 | FINAL PLEA DATE, NEGOTIATED and NON-NEGOTIATED PLEAS
No extension of time for discovery will be granted except in extraordinary circumstances where a request is made and good cause shown prior to the expiration of the discovery period.
Except in extraordinary circumstances where a request is made and good cause shown prior to the expiration of the discovery period, no extension of time for discovery or other
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 4 | 6.6 Discovery Extensions
On good cause shown by either party, the Court will entertain a continuance of sentencing.
The Court anticipates proceeding with sentencing hearings immediately after any conviction. However, on good ca’use shown by either party, the Court will entertain a continuance of the sentencing for ' a few days.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 12 | SENTENCING HEARINGS
Chambers Communication Rules
All case questions and discussions must be submitted by email with a copy to opposing counsel to the Staff Attorney; telephone calls should be avoided except in exceptional circumstances.
To avoid ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations, and discussions concerning this case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel, to the Staff Attorney, Ms. Romero, at Rupal.Romero@fultoncountyga.gov. For this same reason and to prevent miscommunications, please avoid telephoning except in exceptional circumstances.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 1 | SECTION 3. COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Communications with Chambers must be in writing and delivered in hard copy or emailed to Litigation Manager April M. Woods, with copies to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.
While the Court encourages counsel to communicate with Chambers, such communication shall be in writing and delivered in hard copy or emailed to Litigation Manager April M. Woods (April.Woods@fultoncountyga.gov) with copies of such communication also provided to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Proposed orders may be emailed in Word format to the Staff Attorney, with a copy of the filed motion attached.
Proposed orders may be emailed in Word format to the Staff Attorney. Please also attach a copy of the filed motion.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 5 | SECTION 9. PROPOSED ORDERS
To arrange for court reporter takedown, contact Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com no later than noon the day before trial.
If counsel or parties would like trial to be taken down by the court reporter, they shall contact Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com no later than noon on the day prior to start of trial to arrange for takedown.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026
Page 6 | SECTION 12. TRIAL AND TRIAL PREPARATION
Counsel should avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.
To prevent miscommunications and inappropriate ex parte communications, avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 2 | COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Counsel may never directly email the Judge.
In no instance, should counsel directly email the Judge.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 2 | COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Pre-trial submissions must be submitted by email to Litigation Manager April M. Woods.
submit by email to Litigation Manager April M. Woods at April.Woods@fultoncountvga.gov
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 7
If over 100 exhibits are anticipated and in dispute, parties must notify the court at least one week before trial.
In the event that over 100 exhibits are anticipated and in dispute, the parties must notify the court at least one week in advance of trial so that the Court can decide whether to schedule a pre-trial hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 7 | 12.5 Exhibits & Demonstrative Evidence
Parties wanting voir dire taken down must contact court reporter Candice Sanders by noon the day before voir dire.
If the parties want voir dire taken down by the court reporter, Candice Sanders, they must contact Ms. Sanders no later than noon on the day prior to start of voir dire to arrange for takedown.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 7 | 12.2 Voir Dire
Parties must contact Court Technology Services at least one week before trial to confirm evidence viewing equipment and training.
Please prepare for trial by contacting Court Technology Services at sca.techsupport@fultoncountyga.gov at least one week before trial to make certain the evidence viewing equipment has the associated media player, drivers, and accessories necessary for you to make an effective presentation and that you are trained on use of the equipment before day one of trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 8 | 12.7 Courtroom Technology
Attorneys must provide their email addresses to Litigation Manager April M. Woods at entry of appearance.
At the entry of appearance of counsel, the attorneys are required to provide their email addresses to Litigation Manager April M. Woods by emailing same to her.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
All case questions, explanations, and discussions must be submitted by email with a copy to opposing counsel, with ex parte communications exempted.
To avoid inappropriate ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations or discussions concerning your case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel. Appropriate ex parte communications are exempted from this rule.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 2 | COMMUNICATING WITH THE COURT
Parties must contact the Litigation Manager to schedule a plea entry date before the Final Plea Hearing.
The parties are directed to contact April M. Woods, Litigation Manager for Judge Craig L. Schwall, Sr., at (404) 612-8681 or April.Woods@fultoncountvga.gov to schedule a date for entry of a plea prior to the Final Plea Hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 5 | FINAL PLEA DATE, NEGOTIATED and NON-NEGOTIATED PLEAS
Attorneys unfamiliar with the evidence presentation technology in Courtroom 5E must submit a written equipment-training request to April M. Woods no later than 5 business days before trial; timely email notification suffices.
In the event any party intends to utilize exhibits during any hearing, trial or other proceeding and the counsel is unfamiliar with the evidence presentation technology in Courtroom 5E, then that attorney is required to submit a written‘ request for equipment training. Training can generally be accomplished in 15 minutes. This request should be submitted in writing to Case Manager April Woods, no later than 5 business days . before trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 13 | Courtroom Evidence Presentation
Requests for court production of an incarcerated defendant or witness must be submitted in writing to April M. Woods and received no later than 30 business days before the scheduled court appearance.
Parties must submit their request in writing i to Litigation Manager April M. Woods at April.Woods@fultoncountyga.gov and the production request must be received no later than 30 business days before the scheduled court
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 13 | Court Production Order
Interpreter requests must be submitted in writing via email to April M. Woods no later than 5 business days before the hearing.
The request for an interpreter must be submitted in writing via email to the Litigation Manager April M. Woods at April.Woods@fultoncountyga.gov no later than 5 business days prior to the hearing date.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it. · Criminal cases
Page 13 | interpreter
Questions about exhibit submission may be addressed to Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com.
Questions may be addressed to Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 8 | 12.6 Digital Submission of Exhibits
The Court provides trial-appearance notice to counsel of record by email.
Notice will be provided by email to counsel of record.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 6 | TRIAL DATE AND PRE-TRIAL PROCEDURE
Counsel should contact the Litigation Manager early in the case, preferably before Plea and Arraignment, for assistance scheduling an Accountability Court referral or interview.
6 ===== Litigation Manager April M. Woods at April.Woods@fultoncountvga.gov early in the life of the case, — preferably before Plea and Arraignment if ' you need assistance in scheduling an Accountability Court referral or interview.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 6 | FINAL PLEA DATE, NEGOTIATED and NON-NEGOTIATED PLEAS