Court Rules
Judge

Judge James Dekleva

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Florida 18 Judicial Circuit (Brevard, Seminole)

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Amended Notice Of Hearing, Cross Notice Of Hearing

Court-wide
  • Email

Motion

Court-wide
  • Within 10 Days After Service

Notice Of Hearing

Court-wide
  • Email

Objection To Order Of Referral To General Magistrate

Court-wide
  • 1 copy • Email

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Adversary PositionProposed New Dates

Communication

Email

Chambers

jane.damron@flcourts18.org
EmergenciesScheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Chambers

+1 386-310-1754
Emergencies
Filters:

Document Format Requirements6 rules

Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

Proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word, with 1” margins all the way around, and in the .docx format

Layout & Binding
Margins
Top:1"
Left:1"
Right:1"
Bottom:1"
Required Format

DOCX

Judge Dekleva ePortal instructions · p. 1|SecProcedure for Submitting Proposed Orders in Seminole County
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

Proposed orders using DJMCA codes must use paired, uppercase four-letter codes only once per line, right-justify JJJJ and AAAA, and avoid unnecessary formatting.

5. DJMCA FORMAT: DJMCA is how ICMS knows where to place the signature and signature dates. a. You must use the two codes as pairs (e.g., JJJJ & DDDD for Judge’s signature) b. The codes must be all capital letters. c. You must add all 4 letters for each field. d. These codes should only be used once per line. Two codes per line will not work. e. JJJJ and AAAA must be RIGHT JUSTIFIED. f. DO NOT ADD UNNECESSARY FORMATTING (i.e., line spacing, indentations, columns, etc.)

Judge Dekleva ePortal instructions · p. 1|SecProcedure for Submitting Proposed Orders in Seminole County
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

(all lower case letters, file name, no other punctuation, and .docx).

Judge Dekleva ePortal instructions · p. 1|SecProcedure for Submitting Proposed Orders in Seminole County
Formatting

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

(Cover page format must be .pdf

Required Format

PDF

Judge Dekleva ePortal instructions · p. 1|SecProcedure for Submitting Proposed Orders in Seminole County
Formatting

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

and there must only be 1 period in the file name.)

Judge Dekleva ePortal instructions · p. 1|SecProcedure for Submitting Proposed Orders in Seminole County
Formatting

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

• Format: All proposed orders must be submitted in Word Format. All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.

Summary: Proposed orders must be in Word format and accompanied by a cover letter certifying the parties’ agreement or identifying any disagreement.

Required Format

Word Perfect

Judge Dekleva Policies and Procedures · p. 2|SecE. Submission of Orders

Document Filing Requirements2 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

• Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time. All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

Judge Dekleva Policies and Procedures · p. 2|SecB. Scheduling Procedures
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

• Format: All proposed orders must be submitted in Word Format. All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.

Summary: Each proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter certifying agreement by all parties or identifying any disagreement about the proposed order.

DocumentProposed Order

Judge Dekleva Policies and Procedures · p. 2|SecE. Submission of Orders

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

All proposed orders must be submitted through the e-portal.

• Submission Method: Please submit all proposed orders through the e-portal.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 2 | E. Submission of Orders

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Before requesting a hearing, the motion must be filed with the Clerk of Courts and a copy provided to the State Attorney’s Office.

Motion to be heard (filed with the Clerk of Courts prior to requesting, with a copy to the State Attorney’s Office).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved and must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

• Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time. All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

A notice of cancellation must be filed when canceling a hearing.

• Cancelling Hearings: Contact the JA to cancel any hearings. You must also file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Service and Proof of Service Rules

The moving party is responsible for serving all non-registered pro se parties.

The moving party is responsible for the service of all non-registered pro-se parties.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 3 | CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (FOR CIVIL CASES)

Copies are certified as furnished through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that copies have been furnished via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on MMMM.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 3 | CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (FOR CIVIL CASES)

A notice of cancellation must be served on opposing counsel when canceling a hearing.

• Cancelling Hearings: Contact the JA to cancel any hearings. You must also file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved and must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

• Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time. All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders and update it on Form 2.603 whenever the registered email changes, unless excused.

• E-Filing Portal Contact Information: All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Chambers Communication Rules

Email communications to the judicial office must copy all parties unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law, and communications must comply with Canon 3.

• Ex parte Communications: All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law. All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

To cancel a hearing, contact the Judicial Assistant and file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel.

• Cancelling Hearings: Contact the JA to cancel any hearings. You must also file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

The Judicial Assistant cannot provide legal advice, and an email contact will be provided for emergencies only when the Judicial Assistant is out of the office.

• Response to Inquiries: The Judicial Assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice. If the Judicial Assistant is out of the office, an email will be provided for emergencies only.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number and case name in the subject line.

• Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to jane.damron@flcourts18.org. The subject line must contain the case number and case name.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 218 rules apply across Florida 18 Judicial Circuit (Brevard, Seminole). Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 90
  • Applies to
    Extradition waiver

    An extradition waiver must be written, executed before a judge, and state that the person consents to return to the demanding state.

  • Applies to
    Waiver of counsel

    If an indigent defendant wishes to waive counsel, a full Faretta inquiry may be conducted and the defendant must place the waiver of counsel on the record.

  • Applies to
    Probable cause arrest affidavit

    Probable-cause arrest affidavits for probation or community-control violations must include the specified supervision and case information; unsupported database assertions are insufficient.

Communication

All 37
  • Contact
    Email to chambers

    Email is the most effective way to communicate with the Court, but emails to a Judicial Assistant must not include legal argument or substantive discussion of case facts.

  • Contact
    Email to chambers

    For additional information or assistance, contact the judicial assistant by email.

  • Contact
    Email to chambers

    Court approval is required to set a hearing over two hours, and pre-approval is required for a temporary relief hearing over one hour if mediation is incomplete; the request should be emailed to the Court with the motion and requested hearing duration.

Formatting

All 21

  • Exhibits must be pre-marked with stickers identifying the offering party, hearing date, and case number.

  • Each exhibit must be marked in sequence with an identifying letter.

  • Format
    PAPER

    For an in-person hearing, bring a hard copy of every exhibit intended to be offered into evidence.

Service

All 19

  • A release for failure to meet specified time periods requires a judge’s order and notice to the state; at daily first appearance hearings, receipt of the docket copy by the state attorney satisfies notice.

  • Applies to
    Arrest report and related documents
    Service
    Court service

    Booking officers must provide one copy of the arrest report and related documents to the arrested person at first appearance and deliver another copy to the clerk with the original.

  • Applies to
    Pretrial release forms and counsel affidavits
    Service
    Court service to clerk

    Pretrial release forms, appointment-of-counsel affidavits, and related documents must be delivered to the first appearance clerk.

More categories

View all Florida 18 Judicial Circuit (Brevard, Seminole) rules
Common questions about Judge James Dekleva's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge James Dekleva?

Judge James Dekleva's formatting rule includes margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches and file format docx. Proposed orders must be in Microsoft Word .docx format with 1-inch margins on every side.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedure for Submitting Proposed Orders in Seminole County

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge James Dekleva?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge James Dekleva?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Each proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter certifying agreement by all parties or identifying any disagreement about the proposed order.

View ruleSource: page 2, section E. Submission of Orders

How may parties contact Judge James Dekleva's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge James Dekleva's chambers. The rule lists email jane.damron@flcourts18.org. Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number and case name in the subject line.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Is electronic filing required before Judge James Dekleva?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All proposed orders must be submitted through the e-portal.

View ruleSource: page 2, section E. Submission of Orders

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge James Dekleva?

Before requesting a hearing, the motion must be filed with the Clerk of Courts and a copy provided to the State Attorney’s Office.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What rule applies to e-service before Judge James Dekleva?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: e-service. Copies are certified as furnished through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (FOR CIVIL CASES)
Complete rules summary for Judge James Dekleva

Proposed orders must be in Microsoft Word .docx format with 1-inch margins on every side.

The proposed-order filename must use lowercase letters, contain no other punctuation, and end in .docx.

The cover page must be in .pdf format.

The cover-page filename must contain only one period.

Proposed orders using DJMCA codes must use paired, uppercase four-letter codes only once per line, right-justify JJJJ and AAAA, and avoid unnecessary formatting.

Copies are certified as furnished through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

The moving party is responsible for serving all non-registered pro se parties.

Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number and case name in the subject line.

Email communications to the judicial office must copy all parties unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law, and communications must comply with Canon 3.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders and update it on Form 2.603 whenever the registered email changes, unless excused.

The Judicial Assistant cannot provide legal advice, and an email contact will be provided for emergencies only when the Judicial Assistant is out of the office.

Before requesting a hearing, the motion must be filed with the Clerk of Courts and a copy provided to the State Attorney’s Office.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved and must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved and must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

To cancel a hearing, contact the Judicial Assistant and file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel.

A notice of cancellation must be filed when canceling a hearing.

A notice of cancellation must be served on opposing counsel when canceling a hearing.

Proposed orders must be in Word format and accompanied by a cover letter certifying the parties’ agreement or identifying any disagreement.

Each proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter certifying agreement by all parties or identifying any disagreement about the proposed order.

All proposed orders must be submitted through the e-portal.

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