Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Legal Authority
- At Hearing
- Email • No Later Than 3 Business Days Before Evidentiary Proceeding
Motion, Petition
- With Hearing Time Request
Notice of Cancellation of Hearing
Notice of Hearing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Phone
Document Format Requirements2 rules
PDF format
- File type
Microsoft Word
Formatting
- •Microsoft Word
Document Filing Requirements20 rules
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.
The email request should include: Case number, including county code Style of the case A courtesy copy of the motion(s) or petitions(s) being set The total amount of time requested from both sides
The Court will consider requests to appear by Zoom upon the filing of a Motion.
Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 1.30, “coverage” attorneys must file a notice of appearance as co-counsel before the Court will recognize the attorney as representing that party.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
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.
Please be sure to include the following information when making your request: Date, time and location of the event Language desired, include any geographical preferences (ex. Brazilian Portuguese) The case number and name of the person(s) requiring interpretation The name and telephone of the person making the request The type of event and any special needs or instructions
Stipulations should be signed by the defendant, current and new counsel. New counsel shall file the signed stipulation and Motion and submit a proposed Order via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The Court will require a hearing if all signatures are not present.
Every proposed order must include the specified processing and certificate-of-service coding after its body.
- Document
- Proposed order
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Court's wording
All proposed orders must 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 OR Trenton, Alachua OR Gilchrist 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
In hearings where the Court does not provide a record, all notices of hearings must specify whether the party setting a matter for hearing will be securing the services of a court reporter and, if so, the name and address of the court reporter.
Where immediate transcription instructions in a death penalty proceeding are required but are not given, the state attorney or defense attorney shall move for the transcription of the relevant proceedings and prepare an order to transcribe for the signature of the appropriate judge.
A party seeking audio records must complete and sign the written Transcript or Recording Request Form and Prohibition Against Dissemination.
Court's wording
The requesting party shall be required to complete and sign a written Transcript or Recording Request Form and Prohibition Against Dissemination (found at https://circuit8.org/departments-services/ordering-transcripts-recordings/) to obtain audio records.
Counsel seeking a final certified transcript must obtain an order signed by the presiding judge.
Court's wording
Any state attorney, public defender, regional counsel, or court-appointed counsel may obtain a transcript for any court event, including appeals in final certified form with an order signed by the presiding judge at no charge to their offices, per the July 1, 2004, implementation of the cost-sharing agreement for Court Reporting Services.
Requests for a transcript of proceedings should be made in writing utilizing the Transcript Request Form found at https://circuit8.org/departments-services/ordering-transcripts-recordings/. The completed and signed form shall be submitted online or mailed to Manager, Court Reporting Services, 220 South Main Street, Room B417, Gainesville, Florida 32601, or via e-mail,
Court Reporting shall be copied with the motion and order for transcription.
The original transcript of any court proceeding shall be filed with the clerk of court.
The reporter must electronically sign the certificate for every required transcript, whether original or copy.
Court's wording
The stenographic and/or digital court reporter will produce true and accurate transcripts as required and will electronically sign the certificate of every transcript required to be produced regardless of whether it is called an original or a copy, and submit electronically to the clerk of court.
Appeals require one original for electronic filing, unless otherwise ordered by the court or required by the clerk of court.
Parties should have a completed plea petition with the applicable attachments at the time of the scheduled court event.
The request must include the case name and uniform case number, date of the proceeding, and name of the presiding judge.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Submit all proposed orders through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; do not send them by U.S. mail or email.
All proposed orders must be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/). Do not send proposed orders by United States Mail or e-mail.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Required transcripts must be submitted electronically to the clerk of court.
The stenographic and/or digital court reporter will produce true and accurate transcripts as required and will electronically sign the certificate of every transcript required to be produced regardless of whether it is called an original or a copy, and submit electronically to the clerk of court.
Page 10 | Court Reporting Procedures by Division
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The court must receive all requested hearing materials at least three business days before the hearing.
The court must receive all requested materials for the hearing no later than three business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Submit proposed orders within 10 days after any hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Standard appeal transcripts are due 30 days after service of the notice of appeal.
Standard appeals are due 30 days after “service” of notice of appeal.
Page 10 | Court Reporting Procedures by Division
Non-appellate transcripts are provided in 30 to 45 days, depending on workload.
Non-appellate transcripts will be provided in 30-45 days, depending upon the department's current workload.
Page 10 | Court Reporting Procedures by Division
Filing Fees and Waivers
A court order is required for a recording to be transcribed at public expense.
No recordings of proceedings will be transcribed at public expense without a court order.
Page 9 | Court Reporting Procedures by Division
A deposit equal to half the estimated transcript cost is required before work begins.
A deposit of half the estimated amount is required to begin work on the transcript.
Page 9 | Court Reporting Procedures by Division
A court order is unnecessary to produce a transcript if the requesting party agrees to pay for it.
A court order is not required to produce a transcript when the requesting party to a case agrees to pay for the transcript
Page 9 | Court Reporting Procedures by Division
Fees paid to approved court-reporting vendors are governed by their contractual services agreements with the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
Fees that are paid to approved vendors of stenographic and digital court reporter services are governed by the Court Reporting Contractual Services Agreements entered into between the Eighth Judicial Circuit and the Vendor.
Page 10 | VIII. CONTRACTUAL SERVICES FEES
Courtesy Copy Requirements
For any evidentiary proceeding, email courtesy copies of case law or other legal authority to the Court no later than three business days beforehand.
Courtesy copies of case law or other legal authority must be submitted to the Court for any evidentiary proceeding. Courtesy copies must be e-mailed to CourtneyK@circuit8.org no later than three (3) business days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Please also bring a hard copy to the hearing.
Please also bring a hard copy to the hearing.
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
If a hearing is no longer needed, email the judicial assistant a courtesy copy of the notice of cancellation.
If a hearing is no longer needed, please notify the Court by emailing the judicial assistant a courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation of Hearing.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
A courtesy copy of the motion(s) or petitions(s) being set
A courtesy copy of the motion(s) or petitions(s) being set
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
A courtesy copy of the notice of hearing should be emailed to the judicial assistant.
A courtesy copy of the notice of hearing should be emailed to the judicial assistant.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
The approved court reporter’s work product must be filed with the clerk under seal.
The approved court reporter’s work product, including stenographic notes, electronic recordings, and transcripts shall be filed with the clerk of the court under seal.
Page 3 | III. GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS
Grand jury proceeding audio recordings must be transferred to a CD, provided to the clerk, and sealed.
these proceedings are recorded by audio, transferred to a CD, provided to the clerk of court, and the audio recording sealed.
Page 3 | III. GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS
Before a CD or electronic link is released to a non-party, confidential material must be redacted and the recording labeled accordingly.
Pursuant to Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC06-21, before any CD or electronic link is released to a non-party in a case, it shall be redacted of any confidential material found therein, as defined by applicable law, and labeled accordingly.
Page 5 | V. SAFEGUARDING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS WHEN ELECTRONIC RECORDING EQUIPMENT IS USED IN THE COURTROOM
Participants must be notified about courtroom recording and protect confidential information; attorneys must take reasonable available precautions, such as muting microphones or moving to an inaccessible location.
Court personnel shall provide notice to participants in a courtroom proceeding that electronic recording equipment is in use and to safeguard information they do not want recorded. Attorneys shall take all reasonable and available precautions to protect disclosure of confidential communications in the courtroom. Such precautions may include muting microphones or going to a designated location that is inaccessible to the recording equipment. Participants have a duty to protect confidential information. See Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.535(h)(5).
Page 4 | V. SAFEGUARDING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS WHEN ELECTRONIC RECORDING EQUIPMENT IS USED IN THE COURTROOM
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion to continue received less than 48 hours before a court event may not be ruled on beforehand, and parties must appear unless an order continuing the event is entered.
Motions to Continue received less than 48 hours prior to the court event MAY not be ruled upon prior to the court event. Parties are expected to appear if an Order to Continue is not entered.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
For a non-appeal transcript, the approved reporter may request more time from the requesting attorney or, if the attorney cannot extend the time, from the court.
If the transcript is not on appeal, the approved court reporter is at liberty to request more time from the attorney that made the request of the court; or the court, if the attorney is not able to extend the time on his/her own accord.
Page 8 | VII. TRANSCRIPTION PROCEDURES
If necessary, the court reporter preparing an appeal transcript may request a 30-day extension before the deadline.
If determined to be necessary, an extension of 30 days may be requested by the court reporter preparing the transcript prior to the deadline date.
Page 10 | Court Reporting Procedures by Division
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the stated address and include the case number with county code, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CourtneyK@circuit8.org. The subject line must contain the case number including the county code, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 01-2024-CF-001234-A: State v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Page 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless the communication is authorized ex parte 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
Page 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office
Request hearing time by emailing the judicial assistant because the judge’s scheduling calendars are not available online.
The judge’s scheduling calendars are not available online. Please email CourtneyK@circuit8.org to request hearing time.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
A person needing an ADA accommodation should contact the ADA Coordinator at least seven days before the court appearance, or immediately upon receiving notice if fewer than seven days remain.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in a proceeding, you are entitled to be provided with certain assistance at no cost to you. Please contact the ADA Coordinator, Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center, 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601 (352-337-6237) at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days.
Page 1 | Other Division Procedures
If the Zoom motion is granted, email the participant’s driver’s license or photo ID to the judicial assistant immediately upon receiving the proposed order, unless the witness is in the presence of a notary public.
If the Court grants the Motion, please email a Driver’s License or photo ID of the Zoom participant to CourtneyK@circuit8.org immediately upon receipt of the proposed Order. This is required for identification purposes, or the witness can be in the presence of a Notary Public.
Page 1 | Remote Appearance
Communications concerning a pending or impending proceeding must comply with Canon 3’s restrictions on ex parte and outside-the-parties’-presence communications, unless authorized by law.
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.
Page 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office
Do not notice other motions or matters for the time reserved for a scheduled motion or petition without prior approval from the judicial assistant.
Once a motion or petition is scheduled, any other motions or matters may NOT be noticed at the same time reserved for the first motion unless prior approval has been obtained from the judicial assistant.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
The public must not call the Court to discuss a pending case with a judge.
The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the judges of the Eighth Judicial Circuit to discuss pending cases with the public. Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case.
Page 1 | Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard
The Court considers only arguments made in court and documents filed by parties, not other opinions or arguments about the case.
Please keep in mind that the Court is only allowed to consider arguments made in court and documents filed by actual parties to the case. They cannot ethically read or consider any other opinions or arguments about the case, and they cannot give legal advice.
Page 1 | Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard
A plea expected to last more than 15 minutes should be specially set on the judge’s calendar by email to the judicial assistant.
Changes of plea may be heard at both the Criminal General and Case Management Conference dockets. Any plea expected to last more than 15 minutes should be specially set on the judge’s calendar. Parties should email CourtneyK@circuit8.org to specially set.
Page 1 | Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
For a time-sensitive matter requiring immediate attention, email the judicial assistant to advise that the proposed order has been uploaded to the portal.
For time sensitive matters that require immediate attention, please email CourtneyK@circuit8.org to advise that a proposed Order has been uploaded to the portal.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Interpreter requests should be made in writing and in advance whenever possible by email to Court Administration, with a copy to Kayla Courtney.
All requests should be made in advance whenever possible and in writing to Court Administration via e-mail at: interpreter@circuit8.org and copied to Kayla Courtney at: CourtneyK@circuit8.org.
Page 1 | Other Division Procedures
If no confirmation request is received within two business days before the hearing or event, contact the Court Interpreter; if unavailable, contact Court Administration.
If you do not receive a confirmation request within two business days prior to the hearing or event, please contact the Court Interpreter at (352) 264-7063. If the Court Interpreter is unavailable, contact Court Administration at (352) 264-7029.
Page 1 | Other Division Procedures
Suggested hearing dates are not held, and a hearing is not scheduled until the judicial assistant confirms it.
Our office does not hold suggested dates for hearings and a hearing is not scheduled on the Court’s calendar unless you receive confirmation from the judicial assistant.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
The Court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must contact the judicial office in accordance with these procedures.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the Court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office
Comments should be mailed to the Clerk’s Office in the appropriate county.
If you have a comment to make, please mail it to the Clerk’s Office in the appropriate county.
Page 1 | Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard
Hearing- or voice-impaired persons should call the Florida Relay Service at the stated number.
If you are hearing or voice-impaired, call 1-800-955-8770 via Florida Relay Service.
Page 1 | Other Division Procedures
State attorneys, public defenders, regional counsel, and court-appointed counsel may request rough-draft transcripts or recordings in writing.
Any state attorney, public defender, regional counsel, or court-appointed counsel may obtain a transcript in rough-draft form from a real-time reporter or a CD of, or an electronic link to, a digital recording by written request, at no charge to their offices, per the July 1, 2004, cost-sharing agreement for Court Reporting Services.
Page 8 | VII. TRANSCRIPTION PROCEDURES