Judge Donald W. Hafele
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Other Specified Document
- Two Days Before Evidentiary Proceeding
Courtesy copies
Court-wideE Filed Document
Court-wideJoint Pretrial Statement
Court-wideAdjournments
- Continuances are disfavored, require good cause, must be requested at least five days before the scheduled court date, and generally must be signed by the requesting party absent good cause.
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideDuty Judge
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk in paper format, sufficient copies must be brought for the clerk, court, and each party, and each exhibit must follow the specified party-label format.
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format. 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. Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: 'Petitioner/Plaintiff 1' or 'Respondent/Defendant A.
Paper
Courtesy copies must be submitted in PDF/A format or as a Word document.
PDF/a format or Word document
Every proposed order must be submitted in Word format.
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
A proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter or email that either certifies agreement by all parties or identifies any disagreement about the order.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter or e-mail 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.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved and must include court call-in information for a remote makemson appearance.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time. A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance for makemson hearings must list the call in information for the court to call.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A request for an emergency hearing must be made by a detailed motion labeled as an emergency that states the issues, reasons emergency relief is necessary, and time needed for each party's presentation.
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion, labeled an emergency, 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.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
RPO, makemson hearing, and first appearance court orders must be submitted by email through the division email address.
RPO court orders submit by e-mail through the division e-mail address. Makemson hearing court orders submit by e-mail through the division e-mail address. First Appearance court orders submit by e-mail through the division e-mail address
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Mental Health court orders must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal.
Mental Health court orders submit through the E-Filing Portal.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All exhibits must be submitted electronically by email to the division email account.
Submit all exhibits electronically by e-mail to the division e-mail account.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
An emergency filing must be submitted using the emergency button.
Make sure the filing is filed as an emergency by clicking the emergency button.
Page 1 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All exhibits must be received in chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits must be received in chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
All hearing materials must be received by the court at least three business days before the hearing.
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The parties must coordinate a hearing date, promptly seek court confirmation, and may not file the notice of hearing before confirmation.
Hearing dates provided are to be coordinated between the parties and only contact the court with the coordinated hearing date. All hearing dates have been given to multiple parties and are on a first come first serve basis so please get back to me ASAP to confirm the coordinated date and time as these dates may no longer be available. Do not file your notice of hearing until confirmed with the court.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
An inmate transport request must be received at least 24 hours before the transport date.
Inmate transport requests must be received at least 24 hours prior to the date of the transport.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders should be submitted immediately after a hearing and no later than 10 days after the hearing.
Proposed orders should be submitted immediately after hearings but at the latest within 10 days after any hearing.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The notice of hearing must be served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified documents are required for every evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified document must be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than two days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than two days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies may be submitted to the court by email or U.S. mail.
e-mail or U.S. mail
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored, require good cause, must be requested at least five days before the scheduled court date, and generally must be signed by the requesting party absent good cause.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
A hearing must be requested by emailing the judicial assistant and copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail. The scheduling party should e-mail the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A request for a spoken-language court interpreter must be made at least seven days before the scheduled proceeding.
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing, requests for spoken language court interpreters must be received at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled proceeding.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Every party must be copied on an email to the judicial office unless ex parte communication is 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."
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Emails to the judicial office must be sent to CAD-DivisionKK2@pbcgov.org and identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
All communications to the judicial office submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionKK2@pbcgov.org. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
A party needing an ADA accommodation must contact 561-355-4380.
If you need an ADA accommodation, please contact 561-355-4380.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
A person no longer involved in a matter must contact the clerk's office, rather than the court, to be removed from the e-service list.
Please note that you must contact the Clerk's office to remove yourself from the e-service list and not the court if you are no longer involved in the matter.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
When no temporary coverage is available, the unmonitored telephone message provides emergency instructions that callers must follow during an emergency.
If there is no temporary coverage available then a voice message will be left on the telephone (which will not be monitored). If you have an emergency follow the emergency instructions left on the voice message.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must follow the judicial office's communication 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 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Questions or issues about court interpreters may be sent by email to CAD-ALLCOURTINTERPRETERS@pbcgov.org.
If you have any questions or issues, please send an e-mail to: CAD-ALLCOURTINTERPRETERS@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
The judicial assistant cannot provide legal advice, and temporary coverage responds to calls and emails when the assistant is out of the office.
Please note that the judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice and if the judicial assistant is out-of-office temporary coverage will be responding to calls and e-mails.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The judicial office may be contacted by telephone at (561) 688-4599 or by email.
By telephone (561) 688-4599 or by e-mail.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
An automated out-of-office response provides emergency instructions for emails sent while the judicial office is unavailable.
Responses to e-mails will receive an automated out of office reply with instructions for emergencies.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office