Hon. A. James Craner — Judicial Procedures
Circuit Criminal
Quick operational summary based on publicly available court procedure materials. Always verify with the official court source before relying on this information.
Quick Rules
UMC / Motion Calendar
Schedule hearings not set in open court by emailing the Judicial Assistant with all counsel copied and include the listed hearing-request information.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After hearing confirmation, the movant must file a notice of hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Immediately email the file-stamped motion for reconsideration or new trial to the Judicial Assistant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not set a hearing on a motion for rehearing, reconsideration, or new trial without a court order authorizing it.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If no calendar-call or hearing order is issued by 5:00 p.m. on the next business day after filing a speedy-trial demand or notice, the Assistant State Attorney must email the court with defense copied.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Copy all parties on all emails, correspondence, and communications with the judge’s office.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Copy opposing counsel or parties on all communications with the court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Send a courtesy copy of a speedy-trial demand or notice of expiration to the Judicial Assistant immediately after filing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Immediately send the file-stamped competency-examination motion to the court with opposing counsel copied.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
For non-evidentiary proceedings, notify the Judicial Assistant by email in advance of a remote appearance.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For evidentiary proceedings, file a motion and obtain an order before appearing by videoconference.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote witness testimony requires a motion and order, plus arrangements for administering the oath and displaying exhibits to witnesses.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For pretrial conferences, attorneys with three or fewer cases may appear virtually after advance notice; more than three cases requires permission by email with opposing counsel copied.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
At trial case management, the defendant and counsel must appear in person; remote appearance requires an advance motion and order, and the defendant’s appearance cannot be waived absent court order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
At VOP status hearings, the defendant and counsel must appear in person; remote appearance requires an advance motion and order, and waiver of the defendant’s appearance requires court permission.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
For an agreed paper resolution of a bond motion, defense counsel must send a proposed Word-format order to the court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit related-case motions to transfer to the Administrative Judge by email with a Word-format proposed order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
When submitting a motion for continuance before a VOP status hearing, include the opposing party’s position, describe good cause, and attach a Word-format proposed order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After filing a competency-examination motion, promptly attempt to agree on an expert and submit a proposed order if agreement is reached.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
At a competency status hearing, defense counsel should bring proposed orders for the specified expert appointment, competency findings, and other anticipated relief.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Cases are not specially set unless specifically ordered by the court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Evidentiary competency hearings are specially set during available hearing days.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
Note any good-faith request for an expedited hearing in the hearing request.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Immediately notify the court of conflicts or unavailability when an expedited matter is set without coordination.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
A discovery motion must be set for hearing, submitted with an agreed order, or submitted under the stated procedure; filing alone is insufficient.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For a facially apparent untimely discovery response, counsel may submit the file-stamped motion and proposed order requesting a response within 14 days and no other relief.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If contempt, sanctions, or other relief is requested on a discovery motion, schedule a hearing with appropriate notice.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Counsel must make a good-faith effort to resolve or narrow disputes before a hearing; failure may result in cancellation, summary denial, or sanctions.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For a defendant held in another county, the Assistant State Attorney must submit a proposed transport order when the defendant’s presence is required.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Jeri Casteel
JA Email
15orange@ninthcircuit.orgPhone
407.836.0565Courtroom
18-A
Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Orange County judges
- Hon. Adam McGinnisCounty Civil
- Hon. Alicia L. LatimoreJuvenile Division
- Hon. Alicia Peyton RobinsonDomestic Relations
- Hon. Amanda S. BovaCounty Criminal
- Hon. Amy J. CarterCounty Civil
- Hon. Andrew A. BainCounty Civil
