Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit list

Include digital exhibits that cannot be mailed on the properly marked exhibit list and hand deliver them to opposing counsel or the party at least ten business days before the hearing.

Digital Exhibits that cannot be sent via US Mail (i.e., videos, flash drives, etc.) must be included on the exhibit list (and properly marked) and hand delivered directly to the opposing counsel or party no later than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

Pre-mark every item of evidence for identification and serve a copy on all parties by certified U.S. mail at least ten business days before the hearing.

If you intend to present any evidence or documents to the court at your hearing, you must pre-mark all items for identification (ex. “Petitioner’s Exhibit A, B, C..”) and serve a copy via Certified US Mail to all parties no less than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to withdraw and proposed order

A motion to withdraw and its proposed order must include the client’s address and email address, if any.

When filing a Motion to Withdraw as Attorney of Record, you are required to include the client’s contact information, including address and e-mail address if any, within the text of the Motion and any proposed order on same.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing request

Use the form on the hearing request page to request a hearing.

To request a hearing, please use the form on our hearing request page.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A notice of hearing for a hearing set unilaterally must include the specified statement.

Any hearings scheduled unilaterally pursuant to these instructions must include a note on the Notice of Hearing stating “Set Unilaterally Pursuant to Judge Van Vorst’s Divisional Instructions.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

certificate of service

Every proposed order must include the specified coding and certificate-of-service template after its body.

All proposed orders shall include the following coding after the body of the proposed order. This coding allows our computer system to input the proper dates and signatures for processing. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida on DDDD. JJJJ CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that copies have been furnished by U.S. Mail or via filing with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on MMMM. CCCC AAAA

CRITICAL

Applies to

Consent to withdraw and proposed order

With the client’s written consent, no hearing is needed; file the client-signed consent in the court file and submit the proposed order with the client’s contact information through the division e-portal.

If you have your client’s written consent to withdraw there is no need to set your Motion to Withdraw for hearing. Instead, please file a consent to withdraw signed by the client in the court file. Please submit your proposed order with the client’s contact information to the e-portal for the case division.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to withdraw and notice of hearing

Must include

certificate of service

The certificates of service for both the motion to withdraw and notice of hearing must include the client’s name and contact information.

You must include your client’s name and contact information in the certificate of service for both the Motion to Withdraw and the Notice of Hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order granting withdrawal

The proposed order must include the client’s contact information and state that the client has 30 days to retain new counsel and file a notice of appearance, or will proceed pro se unless representation is required by the rules.

Your proposed order must include your client’s contact information and indicate that your client has 30 days to retain new counsel and have counsel file a notice of appearance or your client shall be deemed to be proceeding pro-se unless the party must be represented per the rules of civil procedure.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

Emergency motions must be verified and emailed to the judicial assistant for Court review.

All emergency motions must be verified. Emergency motions must be e-mailed to the judicial assistant for the Court’s review.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Substitution of counsel

The Court will not grant substitution of counsel without the client’s written consent.

The Court will not grant a substitution of counsel unless client’s written consent is obtained.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Contact information

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to withdraw or substitute counsel

A motion to withdraw or substitute counsel must contain the client’s signature or consent and specific reasons for the requested change.

Pursuant to Florida Rules Procedure, all motions to withdraw or for substitution of counsel must contain the client’s signature/consent and specific reason(s) for the withdraw/substitution.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

After receiving email confirmation of the hearing date from the judicial assistant, the moving party must prepare a notice of hearing.

Once confirmation of the hearing date has been received by email from the judicial assistant, a notice of hearing shall be prepared by the moving party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre marked evidence

Before the hearing, confer with all parties about evidence admissibility stipulations, note stipulated pre-marked evidence, and understand that other pre-marked evidence will be considered opposed.

Please confer with all parties prior to the hearing to determine whether there are any stipulations as to the admissibility of evidence. Any pre-marked evidence which is stipulated, should be so noted. All other pre-marked evidence will be considered opposed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order or judgment

Proposed orders and judgments submitted by attorneys must include a signature block.

All proposed orders/judgments from ATTORNEY’S must be submitted via the eportal (www.myflcourtaccess.com) with a signature block.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A notice of hearing must state the motion’s full title and filing date, hearing length, and whether the hearing will be in person or by Zoom.

The notice of hearing shall include the full title of the motion and filing date, the length of the hearing, and shall advise if the hearing will be conducted in person or via Zoom.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order granting withdrawal

A motion to withdraw filed after trial has been set may not be granted, and any order must notify the now-pro-se litigant of the previously scheduled hearing or trial date and time.

Motions to withdraw filed after the case has been set for trial may not be granted, and all such orders shall include notice to the now pro se litigant of the date and time of the previously scheduled hearing or trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

An emergency motion must be titled “Emergency Motion” and detail the emergency, the date a ruling is needed, and why it is needed by that date.

A party requesting emergency action must include the words “Emergency Motion” in the title of the motion and must set forth in detail the nature of the emergency, the date by which a ruling is necessary, and the reason the ruling is needed by the stated date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

certificate of service

Every proposed order must include the specified county-specific order and certificate-of-service coding after its body.

All proposed orders shall include the following coding after the body of the proposed order. This coding allows our computer system to input the proper dates and signatures for processing. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida on DDDD. JJJJ CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that copies have been furnished by U.S. Mail or via filing with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on MMMM. CCCC AAAA DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Macclenny, Baker County, Florida on DDDD. JJJJ CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that copies have been furnished by U.S. Mail or via filing with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on MMMM. CCCC AAAA

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal motion

With the client’s written consent, a withdrawal motion need not be set for hearing; file the client-signed consent and submit a proposed order containing the client’s contact information through the division e-portal.

If you have your client’s written consent to withdraw there is no need to set your Motion to Withdraw for hearing. Instead, please file a consent to withdraw signed by the client in the court file. Please submit your proposed order with the client’s contact information to the e-portal for the case division.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal motion

A motion to withdraw and its proposed order must include the client’s address and email address, if any.

When filing a Motion to Withdraw as Attorney of Record, you are required to include the client’s contact information, including address and e-mail address if any, within the text of the Motion and any proposed order on same.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

Must include

proposed order

When all parties agree to a continuance, submit an Agreed Order through the appropriate division e-portal.

If the continuance is agreed to by all parties, please submit an Agreed Order to the appropriate e-portal for the case’s division.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal order

A withdrawal order must include the client’s contact information and state that the client has 30 days to retain new counsel and file a notice of appearance or be deemed pro se, unless representation is required.

Your proposed order must include your client’s contact information and indicate that your client has 30 days to retain new counsel and have counsel file a notice of appearance or your client shall be deemed to be proceeding pro-se unless the party must be represented per the rules of civil procedure.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

An emergency motion must be titled “Emergency Motion” and explain the emergency, the needed ruling date, and why a ruling is needed by that date.

A party requesting emergency action must include the words “Emergency Motion” in the title of the motion and must set forth in detail the nature of the emergency, the date by which a ruling is necessary, and the reason the ruling is needed by the stated date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Substitution stipulation

A law-firm substitution stipulation must be signed by the former and new attorneys, include written client consent, and be filed in the court file.

Stipulations for substitution of counsel between law firms shall be signed by both the former attorney, the new attorney taking over the case and must include written client consent. The Stipulation shall be filed in the court file.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing request

A hearing request must use the hearing request form.

You must use the hearing request form to email all hearing requests to AllenA@circuit8.org .

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

After receiving the hearing date confirmation email, the moving party must prepare a notice of hearing.

Once confirmation of the hearing date has been received by email from the judicial assistant, a notice of hearing shall be prepared by the moving party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A notice of hearing must state the motion’s full title and filing date, hearing length, and whether the hearing will be in person or by Zoom.

The notice of hearing shall include the full title of the motion and filing date, the length of the hearing, and shall advise if the hearing will be conducted in person or via Zoom.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Zoom appearance motion

Must include

proposed order

A Zoom-appearance motion must include a proposed granting order uploaded to the case’s division portal.

A PROPOSED ORDER GRANTING THE ZOOM APPEARANCE MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE CASE’S DIVISION PORTAL AT LEAST 3 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED COURT DATE.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal order

A proposed order granting withdrawal must be accompanied by the client’s email designation form or notice that one was previously filed.

Additionally, all proposed orders granting withdrawal shall be accompanied by the filing of an email designation form for the client or notice to the Court that an email designation has been previously filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A unilateral hearing notice must include the specified statement, and counsel must be prepared to prove their attempts to coordinate with opposing counsel.

Any hearings scheduled unilaterally pursuant to these instructions must include a note on the Notice of Hearing stating “Set Unilaterally Pursuant to Judge Van Vorst’s Divisional Instructions.” Further, counsel attending any hearing unilaterally set pursuant to these instructions will be expected to present proof of attempts to coordinate with opposing counsel at the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal or substitution motion

Motions to withdraw or substitute counsel must include the client’s signature or consent and the specific reasons for the request.

Pursuant to Florida Rules Procedure, all motions to withdraw or for substitution of counsel must contain the client’s signature/consent and specific reason(s) for the withdraw/substitution.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

Emergency motions must be verified and emailed to the judicial assistant for the Court’s review.

All emergency motions must be verified. Emergency motions must be e-mailed to the judicial assistant for the Court’s review.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Contact information update

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing exhibits

The Court must receive paper copies of all pre-marked exhibits and each side’s exhibit index by the specific-order deadline or five business days before the hearing.

In addition, a paper copy of all pre-marked exhibits, along with an Index of Exhibits from each side, shall be received by the Court via Certified US Mail no later than the deadline contained in your specific order, or five (5) business days prior to the hearing date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing exhibits

Evidence or documents intended for a hearing must be pre-marked and copies served on all parties by certified U.S. mail at least ten business days before the hearing.

If you intend to present any evidence or documents to the court at your hearing, you must pre-mark all items for identification (ex. “Petitioner’s Exhibit A, B, C..”) and serve a copy via Certified US Mail to all parties no less than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for remote appearance

A motion for a person to appear remotely at an in-person hearing must be submitted at least seven business days before the hearing and state the opposing party’s position.

If a party requests that an individual, attorney, or witness be permitted to appear remotely at an in-person hearing, a motion for the individual to appear remotely must be submitted at least seven (7) business days prior to the hearing. The motion must state whether the opposing party agrees or objects to the requested remote appearance.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Photo id

For each testifying party or witness, the Court must receive an emailed photograph copy of a driver’s license or photo ID at least three business days before the hearing.

If a party or witness will provide testimony at the scheduled hearing, the Court must receive by email to wablekc@circuit8.org, a photograph copy of their driver’s license or photo ID no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Plea agreement

The plea agreement must provide for unconditional resolution of the case whether the defendant successfully completes the program or not.

A defendant must enter a plea agreement which provides for the unconditional resolution of the defendant’s case in the event the defendant successfully completes the program, or in the event the defendant fails to successfully complete the program.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order granting withdrawal

A proposed order granting withdrawal must be accompanied by the client’s email designation form or notice that one was previously filed.

Additionally, all proposed orders granting withdrawal shall be accompanied by the filing of an email designation form for the client or notice to the Court that an email designation has been previously filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Must include

certificate of service

Every order must include a certificate of service at the bottom.

All orders shall include a certificate of service at the bottom of the order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

An emergency motion must be titled “Emergency Motion” and explain the emergency, the date a ruling is needed, and why it is needed by then.

A party requesting emergency action must include the words “Emergency Motion” in the title of the motion and must set forth in detail the nature of the emergency, the date by which a ruling is necessary, and the reason the ruling is needed by the stated date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Expedited motion

An expedited motion must be titled “Expedited Motion” and explain the date a ruling is needed and why it is needed by that date.

An expedited motion must include the words “Expedited Motion” in the title and must set forth in detail the date by which an expedited ruling is needed and the reason the ruling is needed by the stated date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The notice of hearing must state the full motion title and filing date, hearing length, and whether the hearing is in person or by Zoom.

The notice of hearing shall include the full title of the motion and filing date, the length of the hearing, and shall advise if the hearing will be conducted in person or via Zoom.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Plea agreement

The plea agreement must state that the specified Florida procedural rules govern motions to withdraw a plea after VTC acceptance.

The plea agreement must provide that any motion to withdraw a plea after acceptance into VTC shall be governed by Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.170(I), and Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.140(b)(2)(A)(ii)a-e.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A hearing-time request must be made by a properly filed motion, and no hearing will be set until the motion is filed and viewable on the clerk’s website.

All requests for hearing time must be in the form of a motion and properly filed with the clerk or they will not be accepted by the Court. No hearings will be set until the motion is filed and viewable on the clerk’s website.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing time request

A hearing-time email must include the motion and the listed case, party, hearing, and mediation information.

The email request must include a copy of the motion to be heard and the following information: (1) case number; (2) petitioner’s name and attorney (if represented); (3) respondent’s name and attorney (if represented); (4) length of hearing time requested; (5) title of the motion to be heard; (6) whether the hearing is evidentiary; (7) date mediation was conducted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to withdraw or substitute counsel

A motion to withdraw or substitute counsel must include the client’s signature or consent and specific reasons for the request.

Pursuant to Florida Rules Procedure, all motions to withdraw or for substitution of counsel must contain the client’s signature/consent and specific reason(s) for the withdraw/substitution.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Written motion or referral

The party making a referral must file a written motion or referral.

A written motion or referral must be filed by the party making the referral.