Judge Steve Henderson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law
- Prior To Hearing
Amended Notice Of Hearing, Cross Notice Of Hearing
Court-wideMotion
Court-wide- Within 10 Days After Service
Notice Of Hearing
Court-wide
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper ===== PAGE 4 ===== format.
Paper
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Proposed orders must be submitted in WORD format within 7 days after any hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Motions to continue Trial or any long hearing shall be submitted in writing and e-filed in the case.
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
DocumentMotion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
DocumentExhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
The Notice of Hearing should include the document number of the motion off of the register of actions and the time reserved for the motion.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Please email a copy of the e-filed motion, JAC’s response, any other necessary attachments, and proposed order to the Judicial Assistant.
DocumentJAC Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Teams credentials.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 24CF12345 – State v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
DocumentScheduling Email
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Motions to continue a trial or long hearing must be submitted in writing and e-filed in the case.
Motions to continue Trial or any long hearing shall be submitted in writing and e-filed in the case.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Immediately after the judicial assistant confirms the hearing, the notice must be filed and served, and a copy emailed to the assistant.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after confirmation from the judicial assistant; a copy shall be sent via email to the Judicial Assistant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All materials for an evidentiary hearing must be received at least three business days before the hearing.
The court must receive all materials for the Evidentiary Hearing no later than three business days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Exhibits must be brought to court 15 minutes before the hearing for opposing-side review and clerk marking.
Shall be brought to court 15 minutes prior to the hearing to allow time for the opposing side to review and the clerks to mark properly.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | E. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Pretrial motions must be timely filed and scheduled within 45 days of Calendar Call.
All pretrial motions shall be timely filed and scheduled within 45 days of Calendar Call.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | F. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
If a client in custody wishes to enter a plea at calendar call, transport must be requested one day before the hearing.
If your client is in custody and wishes to enter a plea at calendar call, you must request transport 1 day prior to the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | F. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Proposed orders must be submitted within 7 days after any hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted in WORD format within 7 days after any hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Immediately after the judicial assistant confirms the hearing, the notice must be filed and served, and a copy emailed to the assistant.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after confirmation from the judicial assistant; a copy shall be sent via email to the Judicial Assistant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email changes.
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 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The opposing party must be copied on the cancellation email.
Ensure the opposing party is copied on the email.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of case law must be submitted to the court for every evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law must be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | C. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies may be brought to court or emailed to the Judicial Assistant before the hearing.
A courtesy copy can be brought to court or emailed to the Judicial Assistant prior to the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | C. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
If the court determines an emergency exists, the court will schedule the hearing unilaterally.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | D. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
All parties must be available for the emergency hearing unless exigent circumstances prevent it.
All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | D. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only for good cause.
Continuance Procedure: Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A motion to continue filed the day before a hearing will be addressed on the hearing date.
Any motions to continue filed the day before a set hearing will be addressed on the scheduled hearing date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
VOP arraignments will not be continued, and a VOP hearing will follow arraignment.
VOP Arraignments will not be continued; you will go to a VOP hearing after arraignment.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | F. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Chambers Communication Rules
Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless the communication is legally authorized to be ex parte.
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
Parties may contact the judicial office only as permitted by these practices and procedures.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The scheduling party should email the judicial assistant and copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant when coordinating a hearing.
The scheduling party should e-mail the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
For a JAC motion, email the e-filed motion, JAC’s response, necessary attachments, and proposed order to the judicial assistant.
Please email a copy of the e-filed motion, JAC’s response, any other necessary attachments, and proposed order to the Judicial Assistant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Immediately after the judicial assistant confirms the hearing, the notice must be filed and served, and a copy emailed to the assistant.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after confirmation from the judicial assistant; a copy shall be sent via email to the Judicial Assistant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Judicial Assistant must be contacted before a hearing is canceled.
Please contact the Judicial Assistant prior to canceling any hearings.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
For an interpreter for a hearing or trial, contact Court Admin by email at the stated address.
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please contact Court Admin via email jeanne.chipman@flcourts18.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | G. Other Division Procedures
For Spanish interpreters, contact the listed email addresses.
For Spanish interpreters, please contact via email Alejandra.Martinez@flcourts18.org and marta.vittitoe@flcourts18.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | G. Other Division Procedures
Scheduling communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the judicial assistant.
All communications to the judicial office regarding scheduling must be submitted by e-mail to Traci.Moss@flcourts18.org.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
If JAC objects to the motion, the matter must be set for a hearing.
If JAC objects, this matter will have to be set for a hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Hearing requests must be sent by email to the judicial assistant.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to Traci.Moss@flcourts18.org.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A hearing-scheduling email should include the motion and the amount of hearing time requested.
The email request should include a copy of the motion and the requested amount of hearing time.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
For a motion for early term or modification, email the e-filed motion and the State’s response to the judicial assistant.
Please email a copy of the e-filed motion and the State’s response to the Judicial Assistant.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If cancellation is granted, email a copy of the cancellation notice as soon as it is known the hearing will not proceed.
If granted, please email a copy of your notice of cancellation as soon as you know a hearing is not going forward.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
At docket sounding, parties must appear in person unless an email request to appear via Teams was sent to the Judicial Assistant; inmates are not transported.
Inmates are not transported. Parties shall appear in person unless an email request to appear via Teams was sent to the Judicial Assistant.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | F. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Parties may not use the Court’s or Judicial Assistant’s inbox or email to argue with one another about substantive matters or scheduling.
The parties shall not argue with one another through the Court or Judicial Assistant's inbox. The Court will not tolerate arguing over substantive matters and/or scheduling through email communications.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.
Page 5 | Other Division Procedures
If the State objects to a motion for early term or modification, the judicial assistant will provide a hearing time for the State and defense to coordinate.
If the State objects, the Judicial Assistant will provide the hearing time for the State and Defense to coordinate.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures