Judge Jeffrey W. Ruple
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Court-wideTrial Documents, Trial Exhibits
Court-wide- At Least 2 Working Days Before Trial
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
After the initial pleadings, the body or text of any motion, brief, or memorandum is limited to 10 pages.
The parties must obey the local rule limiting to ten pages the body or text of any motion, brief, or memorandum filed after the initial pleadings have been filed (i.e., the complaint, cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party complaint, and answers or replies to those pleadings).
Motion Brief Or Memorandum
10 pages
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be emailed to the court in WordPerfect or Word format.
The jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be submitted via e-mail to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov, in WordPerfect or Word format.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted by email to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov in Word or WordPerfect format.
Two weeks in advance of trial, the parties must submit, by email to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov in Word or WordPerfect format, preliminary instructions sufficient to apprise the jury of the relevant legal and factual issues.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be emailed to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov in WordPerfect or Word format.
The jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be submitted via e-mail to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov, in WordPerfect or Word format.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Any stipulations must be written on the reverse side of the pre-trial statement.
STIPULATIONS: Use reverse side.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Note
When counsel provide copies of admitted exhibits to jurors, the exhibits should be on standard 8½-by-11-inch three-hole-punched paper.
If counsel intend to provide copies of admitted exhibits to each juror, the exhibit should be on 8-1/2 by 11 inch, standard three-hole punched paper.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Final instructions must be submitted to the court at least two days prior to the commencement of final arguments in the same manner.
Summary: Final jury instructions must be submitted by email in Word or WordPerfect format.
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must file a motion for appointment supported by a defendant-signed affidavit stating the facts of indigence when counsel has not been appointed at arraignment.
If counsel has not been appointed in this manner at arraignment, counsel must file a motion for appointment, together with an affidavit under the defendant's signature, setting forth the facts of his indigence.
Document Type
Motion For Appointment
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The defendant and counsel must file notice with the clerk of any address or bond-condition change.
Defendant and his or her counsel are obligated to notify the court of any change of address and change of conditions of bond by filing a notice with the clerk of courts.
Document Type
Notice Of Address Or Bond Change
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
On the day of trial, the only plea the court will accept is a guilty plea to all counts of the indictment.
The only plea accepted on the day of trial shall be a plea of guilty to all counts of the indictment.
Document Type
Plea
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must file an affidavit confirming familiarity with the record and eligibility when filing an intervention-in-lieu motion.
Upon the filing of a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction, pursuant to R.C. 2951.041, defendant's counsel must file an affidavit with the court citing that counsel has familiarized himself or herself with the defendant's record and the defendant is eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction.
Document Type
Intervention In Lieu Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
At least two working days before trial, all documents and exhibits must be marked and indexed, shared with opposing counsel, and the index must be provided to the judge's office.
At least two working days prior to trial, all documents and exhibits must be marked for identification purposes, together with an index, and must be shared with opposing counsel. A copy of the index must also be provided to the judge's office prior to trial.
Document Type
Trial Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must file a defendant-signed time waiver complying with R.C. 2951.041(A)(1).
Defendant's counsel shall also file a time waiver, signed by the defendant, that complies with R.C. 2951.041(A)(1).
Document Type
Time Waiver
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Preliminary jury instructions must be emailed two weeks before trial in Word or WordPerfect format and must sufficiently apprise the jury of the relevant legal and factual issues.
Two weeks in advance of trial, the parties must submit, by email to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov in Word or WordPerfect format, preliminary instructions sufficient to apprise the jury of the relevant legal and factual issues.
Document Type
Preliminary Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A default-judgment motion requires affidavits establishing default and damages, any applicable debt assignment, and military service.
Motions for default judgment will not be granted without an affidavit establishing the default and the amount of damages, any assignment of debt, if applicable, and the affidavit regarding military service required by 50 U.S.C. A. § 3931(b) (formerly 50 App. USCA § 521.)
Document Type
Motion For Default Judgment
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
An expert may not testify unless a written report has been obtained and provided to the opposing party.
A party may not call an expert witness to testify unless a written report has been procured from the witness and provided to the opposing party.
Document Type
Expert Witness Report
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A motion to amend a pleading must include or electronically tender the proposed amended pleading.
Any motion to file an amended pleading must have a copy of the proposed amended pleading attached to it or tendered in the e-filing system.
Document Type
Motion To File Amended Pleading
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
At least two working days before trial, documents and exhibits must be marked and shared with opposing counsel with an index.
At least two working days prior to trial, all documents and exhibits must be marked for identification purposes, together with an index, and must be shared with opposing counsel.
Document Type
Trial Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Preliminary jury instructions must be emailed to the court in Word format two weeks before trial.
Two weeks in advance of trial, the parties must submit, by email to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov in Word format, preliminary instructions sufficient to apprise the jury of the relevant legal and factual issues.
Document Type
Preliminary Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A motion to withdraw requires service on the client and documentation of that service in the certificate of service.
The attorney must serve his or her client with a copy of the motion to withdraw and document service in the certificate of service.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw As Counsel
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A motion to withdraw is required, even if withdrawal is mandated by the code of professional conduct.
Summary: A motion to withdraw is required even when withdrawal is mandated by the code of professional conduct.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The motion must be accompanied by an order with a blank space for the court to insert the next appropriate court date.
Summary: A motion to continue must include an order with a blank space for the court to insert the next appropriate court date.
Document Type
Motion To Continue
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Objections shall be brought to the court's attention at least two weeks before trial, and shall be accompanied by a transcript.
Summary: Video-deposition objections must be presented with a transcript at least two weeks before trial.
Document Type
Video Deposition Objections
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
A copy of the index must also be provided to the judge's office prior to trial.
Summary: A copy of the exhibit index must be provided to the judge's office before trial.
Document Type
Trial Exhibit Index
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A completed status statement may be submitted to the court by email, fax, mail, or hand delivery, and all parties must be served.
Submit this completed form to the court by e-mail (CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov), or fax (440-350-2210), or mail/hand-delivery (47 N. Park Pl., Painesville, OH 44077), and serve all parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | STATUS STATEMENT
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Appointed counsel must submit the fee-and-expense approval motion within 30 days after final disposition or termination.
appointed counsel's motion for approval of payment of appointed counsel fees and expenses must be submitted within 30 days of the final disposition of or termination of the case.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | GENERAL — Indigency
The court will not entertain a plea to reduced charges unless it receives notice fourteen days before trial.
No pleas to reduced charges will be entertained by the court, unless the court is notified fourteen days prior to trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | GENERAL — Pleas, Reductions, Dismissals
Any plea must be entered before the trial date.
If a plea is to be entered, it must be done before the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | GENERAL — Pleas, Reductions, Dismissals
Proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms are due no later than two weeks before trial.
Proposed jury instructions, jury interrogatories, and verdict forms also must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Trial Briefs & Proposed Instructions
If the settlement entry cannot be provided by the trial date, email confirmation and provide the entry within 14 days.
If the entry cannot be provided by the scheduled trial date, the parties must email confirmation to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov, and must provide the entry as soon as practicable, but within 14 days.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Settlement
Trial briefs and motions in limine must be filed no later than two weeks before trial.
No later than two weeks prior to the trial, the parties must file their trial briefs and any motions in limine.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Trial Briefs & Proposed Instructions
Opposition briefs and supporting opposition materials for a Civil Rule 56 motion are due no later than 28 days after service of the motion.
If a party files a motion for summary judgment under Civil Rule 56, any brief in opposition and any affidavit or other evidentiary material in opposition shall be filed on or before the twenty-eighth (28th) day after service of the motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Pretrial Procedures
A responding party must submit opposing expert reports within 30 days unless the court directs otherwise.
Thereafter, the responding party must submit opposing expert report(s) within thirty days, unless otherwise directed by the court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Expert Witnesses
A movant may serve a reply within 7 days after the response is served.
A movant's reply to a response to any written motion may be served within seven (7) days after service of the response to the motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Pretrial Procedures
Written responses to motions in limine should be filed no later than 5 days before trial.
Written responses to Motions In Limine should be filed no later than 5 days prior to trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Trial Briefs & Proposed Instructions
Parties have 14 days to report scheduling conflicts or request changes to the case-management schedule by motion.
The parties have 14 days to notify the court of any scheduling conflicts or request changes to the case management schedule by filing a motion for modification of the schedule.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Case Management
The exhibit index and marked documents or exhibits must be provided at least two working days before trial.
At least two working days prior to trial, all documents and exhibits must be marked for identification purposes, together with an index, and must be shared with opposing counsel. A copy of the index must also be provided to the judge's office prior to trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | TRIAL PROCEDURES — Exhibits
Trial briefs and motions in limine must be filed no later than two weeks before trial.
No later than two weeks prior to the trial, the parties must file their trial briefs and any motions in limine.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | TRIAL PROCEDURES — Trial Briefs & Proposed Instructions
Preliminary jury instructions are due two weeks before trial by email in Word or WordPerfect format.
Two weeks in advance of trial, the parties must submit, by email to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov in Word or WordPerfect format, preliminary instructions sufficient to apprise the jury of the relevant legal and factual issues.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | TRIAL PROCEDURES — Jury Instructions
Proposed jury instructions, jury interrogatories, and verdict forms must be submitted no later than two weeks before trial.
Proposed jury instructions, jury interrogatories, and verdict forms also must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | TRIAL PROCEDURES — Trial Briefs & Proposed Instructions
Final jury instructions must be submitted at least two days before final arguments by email in Word or WordPerfect format.
Final instructions must be submitted to the court at least two days prior to the commencement of final arguments in the same manner.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | TRIAL PROCEDURES — Jury Instructions
Final jury instructions must be submitted to the court by email at least two days before final arguments.
Final instructions must be submitted to the court at least two days prior to the commencement of final arguments in the same manner.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Jury Instructions
Unless a case-management order states otherwise, a summary-judgment hearing is set 38 days after filing.
In the absence of a case management order establishing different deadlines, the court fixes the day for the hearing on the motion as thirty-eight (38) days after the day the motion was filed.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Pretrial Procedures
Unless a case-management order states otherwise, a default-judgment hearing is set 23 days after filing.
In the absence of a case management order establishing different deadlines, the court fixes the day for the hearing on the motion as twenty-three (23) days after the day the motion was filed.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Pretrial Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Submit the completed form to the court by e-mail, fax, mail, or hand-delivery, and serve all parties.
Submit this completed form to the court by e-mail (CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov), or fax (440-350-2210), or mail/hand-delivery (47 N. Park Pl., Painesville, OH 44077), and serve all parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | STATUS STATEMENT
The attorney must serve the client with the motion to withdraw and document that service in the certificate of service.
The attorney must serve his or her client with a copy of the motion to withdraw and document service in the certificate of service.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | GENERAL — Attorney Withdrawal
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A defendant-signed time waiver must accompany any motion to continue filed for the defendant.
A time waiver, signed by the defendant, must accompany any motion to continue filed on behalf of the defendant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | GENERAL — Motions
A trial continuance requires a written, client-signed motion supported by affidavit or documentation and accompanied by a proposed order with space for the court to enter the next date.
No motion to continue a trial date will be granted without a written motion supported by affidavit or appropriate documentation, and shall include the signature of the client. The motion must be accompanied by an order with a blank space for the court to insert the next appropriate court date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | TRIAL PROCEDURES — Motions to Continue
A trial continuance requires a written motion supported by an affidavit or appropriate documentation.
No motion to continue a trial date will be granted without a written motion supported by affidavit or appropriate documentation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions to Continue
Unavailability of a witness or expert is not sufficient grounds for a trial continuance.
The unavailability of a witness, expert, or otherwise, will not be grounds to continue the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions to Continue
All scheduling conflicts must be documented with the conflicting notice or a statement identifying the case number, jurisdiction, judge, and scheduling date.
All date conflicts shall be documented by either copies of the conflicting notice or statement enumerating the case number, jurisdiction, judge, and date of scheduling.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | TRIAL PROCEDURES — Motions to Continue
Chambers Communication Rules
The court must be notified immediately by telephone when a nolle prosequi is entered or the defendant wishes to change the plea.
The court is to be notified by telephone immediately when a nolle prosequi is entered or when defendant wishes to change his or her plea.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | GENERAL — Pleas, Reductions, Dismissals
Attorneys and self-represented parties admitted to bail must provide current email and telephone information upon appearance and file notice of changes; hearing notices are sent by email.
In order to facilitate communication between the court and the parties, each attorney and each self-represented party who is admitted to bail must notify the court of his or her email address and telephone numbers immediately upon entering an appearance. Notice of a current or changed email address or telephone number must be given timely to the court by filing the notice with the Lake County Clerk of Courts. All hearing notices will be sent by email.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | GENERAL — Email Addresses
Settled cases should be reported to the court immediately by phone or, preferably, email.
Cases that are settled should be brought to the court's attention immediately by calling (440) 350-2100, or preferably, by sending an e-mail to CommonPleasIV@LakeCountyOhio.gov.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Settlement