Mary P. Hatcher

The information on this webpage is for Judge Hatcher’s Sumter County Felony Docket only.

Our office DOES NOT accept documents by e-service; therefore, any filing requiring the Court’s attention (i.e., motions, emergency motions, etc.) must be brought to the Court’s attention by email to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at sshaw@circuit5.org, after they have been e-filed, processed and docketed to the court file.  Please DO NOT add the Court/Judicial Assistant to e-service lists in the E-Portal.

PLEASE NOTE:  The Clerk’s Office has 3 business days to process E-filings from the Portal (either to accept and docket to the court file or reject for correction).

If Court Interpreting services will be needed for any hearing, a request must be submitted by defense counsel, at least 4 business days prior to a court date, using the form provided at Fifth Circuit website.

If an Order to Transport has been entered for a Defendant, that must be addressed in any continuance being requested.

Please DO NOT submit proposed Orders through the E-Portal.  The Court prepares Orders of Continuances and various other routine Orders.  Proposed Orders after hearings should be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at sshaw@circuit5.org in Word format, as directed by the Court at the end of the hearing.

Motion and Change of Plea docket dates are designated by * on the attached calendar for reference only.  Availability on a specific date must be confirmed prior to filing a Notice of Hearing. (see “Hearing Requests” section below).

Click here for 2024 court schedule

Click here for 2025 court schedule

PLEASE NOTE:  a CHANGE OF PLEA can be taken at any already set hearing for that Defendant, as long as there is a fully executed plea agreement.  Open Pleas will be special set.

Motions must be e-filed, processed and docketed to the court file, with opposing counsel having time to receive and review, before a hearing request is sent.  Hearing requests should be sent to sshaw@circuit5.org and include the case name and number, the type of hearing/motion to be heard, the date of filing, and the amount of time requested. Available dates and times will be provided to the party requesting the hearing, and that party shall coordinate with opposing counsel.

Once a date and time is confirmed with our office, the Notice of Hearing should be filed as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks prior to the hearing date, for it to be placed on that docket.

Continuances are granted at the discretion of the Court. Either party may file a Motion to continue a hearing set by the Court for good cause.  All Motions to continue must be e-filed at least 5 business days prior to a hearing.  The motion must contain the specific reason for the continuance and must state whether the opposing party agrees or objects to the continuance.  (Continuances for Trial Priority are addressed under “Court Procedures” below.)

ARRAIGNMENT:  Upon the filing of a notice of appearance, plea of not guilty, waiver of arraignment, an Order setting the next court date will be entered. Counsel is responsible for informing the Defendant of all future court dates.

TRIAL PRIORITY:  The purpose of the trial priority is to determine which cases will be set on the upcoming trial calendar.  Trial priority starts at 9:00 a.m. on the designated day.  The Court will hear change of pleas at trial priority.

The Defendant must be personally present for the trial priority.  An attorney seeking to waive the appearance of a Defendant at trial priority for extreme good cause must seek permission of the Court by proper motion at least 3 business days prior to trial priority.

CONTINUANCES OF TRIAL PRIORITY AND TRIAL:

SEE ORDER SETTING TRIAL PRIORITY AND TRIAL PREVIOUSLY ENTERED IN THE CASE.

All cases not continued prior to trial priority shall remain on the trial docket and will not be continued from the trial docket without a showing of exceptional good cause. No negotiated plea agreements will be taken after the conclusion of trial priority.