Rule 121.04 Location of Hearings After Recusal or Change of Judicial Officer

When a judge steps aside from a juvenile or family court case, or is replaced after a party asks for a change of judge, the new judge has some flexibility about where to hold future hearings. This applies once the court has already found that the claims in the petition are true.

The new judge can choose a hearing location that works well for everyone involved. This location does not have to be in the same county or circuit where the case started. The judge can pick any place, inside or outside the circuit, as long as it is convenient for the people involved in the case.

This rule gives courts room to make practical decisions after a judge change happens. It helps make sure the case can move forward smoothly, even if travel or scheduling is difficult for the families, witnesses, or other people involved.