--- title: "Charles M. Caldwell | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-m-caldwell-8920" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Charles M. Caldwell U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio - State: Ohio - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Ohio, 1993-present - Appointed as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Ohio by the Sixth Circuit on May 26, 1993, to a renewable 14-year term, and he was reappointed on May 26, 2007 - Assistant United States trustee in the Department of Justice United States Trustee Program for the Southern District of Ohio from March 7, 1988, to May 26, 1993 - Before his judicial appointment, he served as a staff attorney in the Bankruptcy Division of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts from 1986 to 1988, and then as an assistant U.S. trustee in the Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program for the Southern District of Ohio from 1988 to 1993 - staff attorney in the Bankruptcy Division of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (1986–1988) - His professional background includes significant experience in bankruptcy law both as a federal attorney and as a judge, with formal education in law and public administration ### Education - Undergraduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Evansville in 1976 and his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1979. ### Additional information - He held the role of chief judge from 2008 to 2014 and retired from the bench on January 2, 2020. - handling both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 proceedings - During his tenure, he presided over bankruptcy cases in the Southern District of Ohio - While Caldwell had a long-standing career on the bench, some public reports and complaints have criticized his handling of certain bankruptcy cases, alleging delays or disputes over case management and trustee actions. - Charles M. Caldwell’s career spans over 26 years on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, including leadership as chief judge. - Birth place: Caswell County, the son of Irish immigrants ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### motion form Scope: courtwide Request an order by written motion unless the rules authorize an application or the request is made during a hearing. State the grounds with particularity and specify the requested relief or order. Evidence excerpt: A motion must state its grounds with particularity and set forth the relief or order requested. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### motion notice timing Scope: courtwide Unless a motion may be heard ex parte or another period applies, serve the written motion and hearing notice at least seven days before the hearing. Serve supporting affidavits with the motion. Evidence excerpt: A written motion (other than one that may be heard ex parte) and notice of any hearing must be served at least 7 days before the hearing date, unless the court or these rules set a different period. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### contested matter notice Scope: courtwide In a contested matter not otherwise governed by the bankruptcy rules, request relief by motion and give the opposing party reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. A response is required only if the court orders one. Evidence excerpt: Reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard must be given to the party against whom relief is sought. No response is required unless the court orders otherwise. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### disputed fact testimony Scope: courtwide Present witness testimony on a disputed material factual issue in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. Evidence excerpt: A witness's testimony on a disputed material factual issue must be taken in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidentiary hearing notice Scope: courtwide Use the court's procedure to determine, reasonably before a scheduled hearing, whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. Evidence excerpt: The court must provide procedures that allow parties-at a reasonable time before a scheduled hearing-to determine whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidence rules Scope: courtwide Prepare evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 43, 44, and 44.1, which apply in bankruptcy cases. Evidence excerpt: The Federal Rules of Evidence and Fed. R. Civ. P. 43, 44, and 44.1 apply in a bankruptcy case. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oath or affirmation Scope: courtwide A solemn affirmation may substitute when an oath is required. The national rule identifies the bankruptcy judge, clerk, deputy clerk, U.S. trustee, and other authorized officers as persons who may administer it. Evidence excerpt: If an oath is required, a solemn affirmation suffices. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8920/charles-m-caldwell/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8920/charles-m-caldwell/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8920/charles-m-caldwell/) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8920/charles-m-caldwell/) - [Charles M. Caldwell (Federal judge) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charles_M._Caldwell_(Federal_judge)) - [Caldwell, Charles](https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/caldwell-charles) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-m-caldwell-8920", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-m-caldwell-8920", "name": "Charles M. Caldwell | KnowJudges", "description": "Charles M. Caldwell, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-m-caldwell-8920#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-m-caldwell-8920#judge", "name": "Charles M. 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