Judge Edward H. Merrigan Jr.
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- 1 copy • Hand Delivery • Approximately 5 Days Prior To Hearing
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- 1 copy
Motion
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Motion For Rehearing
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Unopposed continuances may be handled by emailing the e-filed motion and a proposed agreed order to the Judicial Assistant with an explanation of how far out the reset should be.
- Continuance motions are scheduled for a hearing when a party objects or depending on the type of hearing.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Filing Requirements3 rules
Hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the opposing party copied, the e-filed motion attached, estimated hearing time and witness information, and the case number and defendant name in the subject line.
Kindly send an email request via the division email with the opposing party copied and a copy of the e-filed motion to be heard to the Judicial Assistant, for a hearing, please also note the length of time needed for each side, (depending on the hearing) if witnesses will be involved and how many on each side. In the email request to the Judge's Office, kindly include the case number and the name of the defendant in the subject line.
Document Type
Hearing Request Email
Agreed orders on motions not requiring a hearing are submitted by email to the Judicial Assistant with the opposing side copied and the motion and proposed agreed order attached.
For motions that do not require a hearing eg: Motions that are agreed upon by both parties. These Orders are submitted via email to the Judicial Assistant with the opposing side being copied and a copy of the motion and proposed agreed order attached.
Document Type
Agreed Order
Orders and judgments from in-court hearings are presented to the Clerk immediately after the hearing.
Orders/Judgments for hearings held in Court are usually presented to the Clerk of Courts immediately after the hearing while in Court for the Judge to enter.
Document Type
Order Judgment
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Emergency motions must first be e-filed as an Emergency, then copies provided by email or in person to the Judge's Office with copies to the opposing party.
Your "Emergency Motion" MUST first be e- filed with the Clerk's Office as an Emergency. Kindly provide copies of your (true) emergency via email or in person to the Judge's Office, with copies to the opposing party. The Judge will then make a determination or request a hearing.
Page 1 | Emergency/Urgent Hearings
All motions to be heard must be e-filed with the Clerk's Office.
All motions to be heard by the Judge, MUST be e-filed with the Clerk's Office.
Page 1 | Hearing Procedures/Motions for Continuance
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
VF and MVC division hearings are held only on Monday afternoons at 1:30 p.m., with the same procedures as the regular felony division.
Judge Merrigan also presides over the Veterans Felony (VF) and the Misdemeanor Veterans Court (MVC) Divisions, hearings for these divisions are conducted ONLY on Monday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. and all the same procedures for the regular felony division also applies
Page 1 | Division VF/MVC
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Hard copies of all exhibits for evidentiary hearings must be provided approximately 5 days before the hearing, and all exhibits must be properly marked.
Kindly provide hard copies of all documents/exhibits/Disc…etc to be used in the evidentiary hearing approximately 5 days prior to the hearing for the court to review as well as the opposing side. All exhibits shall be properly marked so all parties may refer to the documents at the same time.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Unopposed continuances may be handled by emailing the e-filed motion and a proposed agreed order to the Judicial Assistant with an explanation of how far out the reset should be.
If there are no objections from either side, a copy of the e-filed motion and a proposed "AGREED ORDER" continuing the case may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant for the Judge to enter. Kindly explain in the body of the email how far out the requested reset should be, eg: 30/60/90 days out.
Page 1 | Hearing Procedures/Motions for Continuance
Continuance motions are scheduled for a hearing when a party objects or depending on the type of hearing.
Motion for Continuance may also be scheduled for a hearing, when one party objects or depending on the type of hearing being asked to be continued.
Page 1 | Hearing Procedures/Motions for Continuance
Chambers Communication Rules
Court personnel may not relay ex parte information to the Court.
Please note: Court personnel are not allowed to relay ex-parte information to the Court.
Page 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office
Questions to the judicial office must be sent by email to the Judicial Assistant with the opposing party copied.
Should you have a question, please email the Judicial Assistant Marlene Henderson at Divfe@17th.flcourts.org Before sending your email, kindly ensure the other party is also copied on the email as required by Florida law, the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
Page 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office
Hearing cancellations require an email to the Judicial Assistant with the opposing party copied stating the reason.
Canceling a hearing will also require an email to the Judicial Assistant with the opposing party copied, outlining the reason for the cancellation.
Page 1 | Hearing Procedures/Motions for Continuance
Non-urgent inquiries involving both parties will be redirected to email with the opposing side copied.
You may reach the Judicial Assistant Marlene Henderson at 954-831-7671 If your call and inquiry is not urgent and involves both parties, you will be directed to correspond via email with the opposing side being copied.
Page 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office