Recent Motions Court News:

• Judge Pettit will be holding Family Motions Court at 1:00 p.m. and not at 9:15 a.m. on December 5, 2023.
• Please keep in mind that Motions Court procedure may change as judicial assignments change. Please review the 2024 Administrative Regulations.

Motions Court

Motions Court is the time and place to bring requests to the Court in the form of a written Motion, presented to the court for decision. Information concerning Motions Court is set forth on this page. All motions regarding an assigned case should be presented to the assigned judge, or that judge’s listed alternative (consult the yearly administrative regulations). The procedure for presenting a motion in an unassigned case is also addressed on this page.

In all circumstances, the following requirements apply to all motions:

• You must provide notice of presentation of your motion to the responding or opposing party at least five (5) business days before presenting the motion; and
• A copy of the motion must be provided to the judge’s chambers at least one (1) day prior to presentation. Time deadlines (i.e. noon or end of business) vary per judge.

Civil Division

Motions in unassigned civil cases are to be presented to the civil motions judge, also known as the Judge of the Term, in accordance with that particular Judge's standard motions court schedule. Judge Michael J. Lucas is the Judge of Term the 1st through the 15th of the month, and Judge Gary M. Gilman is the Judge of Term from the 16th through the end of the month. Please note that separate procedures may apply for "consented-to" motions as opposed to "uncontested" motions; in some instances, consented-to motions may be dropped off in the judge’s chambers. Contact chambers for more information.

At this time, all civil court motions are held in person in the courtroom of the assigned judge. Requests for video or telephonic motions must be made beforehand and are at the discretion of the assigned Judge.

Judge Michael J. Lucas
Motions Court is held on Monday at 1:15 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:45 a.m., in person in Courtroom #6. Motions should be signed up by noon (12:00 p.m.) the business day prior to scheduled presentation. Motions sign-up may be accomplished by in-person drop-off, by mail, or by e-mail. If a motion is submitted by mail or e-mail, the original motion should be filed with the Prothonotary and a copy should be submitted to Judge Lucas' office.

Judge Gary M. Gilman
Motions Court is held Tuesday through Friday at 9:15 a.m. in person in Courtroom #1. A copy of any motion for Judge Gilman's consideration, whether contested or uncontested, shall be forwarded to and received by his office before noon (12:00 p.m.) the business day prior to scheduled presentation.

Criminal Division

Motions in unassigned criminal cases are to be heard in accordance with Administrative Regulation 2023-1 (PDF). If your type of motion is not addressed in the Administrative Regulation, and is not assigned, you must contact Court Administration at 724-228-6797 for a judicial assignment.

President Judge John F. DiSalle
Motions submitted to Judge DiSalle shall be handled remotely via email, fax, or mail to chambers. The moving party must notify all necessary parties that a motion is being filed and if motion is contested. Contested motions must include a proposed scheduling order. Motions for Modification of Bail or Release from Probation must be circulated first to Probation/Pretrial Services & the District Attorney's Office for acknowledgement of objection or consent.

Judge Brandon P. Neuman
Motions Court for assigned cases is held in person on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. in Courtroom #4. Parties are expected to sign up motions in advance. Review Judge Neuman's Motions Procedures for further information.

Judge Valarie Costanzo
Motions Court for assigned cases is held in person on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:15 a.m., in Courtroom #3. Parties should review the Judge Costanzo's Standard Operating Procedures.

Judge Gary M. Gilman
Motions Court for assigned cases is held Tuesday through Friday at 9:15 a.m. in person in Courtroom #1. A copy of any motion for Judge Gilman's consideration, whether contested or uncontested, shall be forwarded to and received by his office before noon (12:00 p.m.) the business day prior to scheduled presentation.

Domestic Relations and Family Court (Custody, Divorce, and Support)

Judge Jesse D. Pettit
Motions Court for assigned cases is held on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:15 a.m., in person in Courtroom #7. Parties should review Judge Pettit's Standard Operating Procedures, as motions that do not conform with standard operating procedures may not be heard.

If you notice a motion for Tuesday, you must provide a copy to Judge Pettit's chambers and sign up for Motions Court by the Friday before at noon (12:00 p.m.). If you notice a motion for Wednesday, you must provide a copy to Judge Pettit's chambers and sign up for Motions Court by the Monday before at noon (12:00 p.m.).

Notice regarding Child Support Motions:
Any Motion in a Child Support case involving inter-county parties, interstate parties, or the Department of Public Welfare must also be served on the Washington County Title IV-D Attorney at:

Title IV-D Attorney
Washington County Domestic Relations Section
29 W Cherry Avenue, Suite #311
Washington, PA 15301

Juvenile Division (Dependency and Delinquency)

Judge Traci L. McDonald
Motions Court for assigned cases is held on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. in person in Courtroom no. 5. Motions that do not conform with Judge McDonald's Standard Operating Procedures will not be heard.

Please review Judge McDonald's Standard Operating Procedures (PDF) regarding her motions court policies.

Orphans' Court

An advance copy of any motion shall be sent to:

Attention Audit and Guardianship Clerk
1 S Main Street
Suite 1003
Washington, PA 15301

President Judge John F. DiSalle
Motions submitted to Judge DiSalle shall be handled remotely via email, fax, or mail to chambers. The moving party must notify all necessary parties that a motion is being filed and if motion is contested. Contested motions must include a proposed scheduling order.

Judge Michael J. Lucas
Motions Court for assigned cases is held on Monday at 1:15 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:45 a.m., in person in Courtroom #6. Motions should be signed up by noon (12:00 p.m.) the business day prior to scheduled presentation. Motions sign-up may be accomplished in-person, by mail, or by e-mail. If a motion is submitted by mail or e-mail, the original motion should be filed with the Prothonotary and a copy should be submitted to Judge Lucas' office.