Judge requires discovery certification before sentencing, flags wrong electronic forms

During the docket the presiding judge directed defense counsel to sign a discovery certification and submit the portal attachment by email before sentencing in cases where sentencing was scheduled. The judge told counsel to locate “that black box right there” to sign the certification and to email the portal attachment to the clerk so the court would have a record that counsel reviewed discovery prior to sentencing.

The judge also identified and corrected an administrative paperwork issue: some attorneys completed the wrong digital form (a TDC form) instead of the state-jail-specific form required for state-jail felonies. The court instructed counsel to delete the incorrect form on the tablet and to use the state-jail-specific form because it contains management fields required for state-jail cases.

Why it matters: the court’s instructions ensure the record shows counsel reviewed discovery and that sentencing occurs with complete documentation. Using the correct electronic forms matters for case processing; the judge removed the wrong submission in open court and directed attorneys to re-enter the correct state-jail paperwork.

Procedural steps ordered: the judge required that the discovery certification be signed immediately at the hearing and that counsel send the portal email to the clerk “if possible today.” The court noted that once a case is closed the portal may no longer be accessible, so timely submission is necessary. For state-jail matters the court instructed defense counsel to select the “state jail” form rather than a TDC form; the judge said she would delete incorrectly filed forms and asked counsel to replace them.

Ending: The court emphasized administrative completeness before sentencing and directed counsel and clerks to correct electronic filing mistakes promptly to avoid delays at sentencing.