Specific Comments or Advice for Litigants
Specific Requirements or Preferences
Welcome to Judge Colleen O’Donnell-Smith’s Division, CRJ18. Trials and hearings will be held in the Central Court Building 1001.
Our Judicial Assistant is Amanda Torres (amanda.torres@jbazmc.maricopa.gov) and our Courtroom Assistant is BriAnne Lange (brianne.lange@jbazmc.maricopa.gov). Our division number is 602-372-3165
Pre-Trial Practice and Management Issues
Motion Practice
Judge O’Donnell-Smith's division is computer friendly, so the parties are welcome to provide a division copy of motions via email, with all parties always copied. The practice of combining more than one motion in a single document is strongly discouraged (i.e. motion to strike and motion to reconsider). Motions should clearly state the relief requested and the authority for the requested relief.
Discovery or Disclosure Disputes and/or Sanctions
Judge O’Donnell-Smith expects the parties to follow all rules of procedure regarding requirements for a personal consultation with a good faith effort to resolve the dispute prior to requesting court involvement. Judge O’Donnell-Smith prefers the parties to jointly discuss resolution of disputes prior to the judge taking the bench.
Other Pre-trial Practice Guidelines or Comments
All motions should be made in writing - the Court will not consider a contested motion unless all parties have been provided an opportunity to respond in writing. Telephonic/virtual appearances at minor hearings is permitted with advance request.
Trial Schedule
Judge O’Donnell-Smith expects trials to proceed as scheduled and expects attorneys to provide advance notice if they anticipate that the trial will not go forward as scheduled.
Joint Pre-Trial Memo and/or Conference; Exhibits and Objections
A separate bench copy of exhibits is not necessary. All exhibits should be timely uploaded into Case Center. Either side may object to a nonresponsive answer and request that it be stricken. The Court does not typically grant objections to "beyond the scope of cross" but if an objection is timely made, the Court will allow re-cross on the specific issue objected to.
Trial Practice and Procedure
Judge O’Donnell-Smith expects counsel to try to stipulate to non-contested issues. She would appreciate citations to authorities if they are being relied upon in oral arguments.
Courtroom Etiquette
Judge O’Donnell-Smith expects all attorneys and parties to behave in an appropriate manner while in the Courthouse. All parties must be near a microphone when on the record, so walking around the courtroom during examinations is discouraged. Judge O’Donnell-Smith expects all parties and counsel to treat her staff kindly and expects the same of her staff.
