Judge Scott Suskauer
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Email • At Least 48 Hours Before Hearing
Exhibits
- If Necessary During Hearing Or Trial
Exhibits, Evidence
- Chambers Drop Off
Filings > 30 pages
- Chambers Drop Off
Adjournments
- A continuance motion must be written and filed with the Clerk before requesting a hearing or submitting a proposed agreed order.
- A continuance motion must state the basis and when it arose, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and party agreement.
- Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; successive requests are highly disfavored, and lack of diligence cannot justify relief.
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Request must include
Communication
Chambers
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Chambers
Clerk
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Court-widePhone
Court-wideClerk
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Court-wideDuty Judge
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format through OLS with all supporting documents attached in PDF format.
Proposed orders are to be submitted in WORD formal and all supporting documents attached in PDF format through OLS.
DOCX
Physical exhibit copies must be labeled, appropriately tabbed, and placed in a binder.
Exhibits submitted as physical copies must be labeled, tabbed appropriately, and placed into binder.
The identified trial documents must be emailed in Word format using Times New Roman 16-point or larger type.
Please submit all documents in Times New Roman and 16 pt. font or larger via e-mail in WORD format to CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org.
DOCX
Original exhibits and evidence should be brought to the hearing in court.
Original exhibits and evidence should be brought to court for hearing.
Paper
Document Filing Requirements15 rules
A hearing-date request must be emailed with opposing counsel copied and must state case and hearing information and include the e-filed motion and supporting documents.
Dates and times must be requested by e-mail to CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org. The request must copy opposing counsel and include the case number, Defendant's name, the amount of time both parties need for hearing, an e-filed copy of the Motion, and all supporting documents.
Document Type
Hearing Date Request
A proposed order on an expungement or sealing petition must include a courtesy petition copy, affidavit, FDLE certification, and opposing counsel's position, submitted by email or through OLS.
For proposed orders on Petitions to Expunge or Seal the following must be submitted by email to CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org or attached to the proposed order in OLS.: (1) A courtesy copy of the e-filed Petition, (2) Affidavit, (3) FDLE Certification, and (4) position of opposing counsel.
Document Type
Proposed Order
A Notice of Hearing for a detained defendant needing transportation must include the words "JAIL TO TRANSPORT."
If the Defendant is in custody and needs to be transported for the hearing, please indicate "JAIL TO TRANSPORT" on your Notice of Hearing.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A proposed agreed order must include written proof of agreement attached as a PDF in OLS or sent by email to the division address.
All proposed agreed orders must be accompanied by written proof of agreement, either by attachment to the proposed order in OLS as a PDF or forwarded via email to CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org.
Document Type
Proposed Agreed Order
A proposed order involving third-party inquiry must include written proof of no objection, the filed motion, and opposing counsel's position, submitted by email or as an OLS attachment.
All proposed orders on Motions that require inquiry with a 3rd party (JAC, Police Department, etic.) the following must be submitted via email to CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org or attached to the proposed order in OLS: (1) Written proof of no objection, (2) a copy of the filed Motion, and (3) position of opposing counsel.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Unless good cause is shown, the requesting party must sign the continuance motion.
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).
Document Type
Motion For Continuance
A request for an emergency hearing must be made by a detailed motion stating the issues, reasons for emergency treatment, and time needed by each party.
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.
Document Type
Motion For Emergency Hearing
All parties must comply with Local Rule 4 before requesting a hearing.
All parties must comply with Local Rule 4 (PDF) prior to requesting a hearing.
Document Type
Hearing Request
A separate proposed order must be submitted in OLS for each case number and each co-defendant, even if the document is captioned for multiple matters.
Your proposed order may be captioned for multiple case numbers and/or Co-Defendants, however in OLS you must submit a a separate proposed order for each case number and/or each Co-Defendant.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Every Notice of Hearing must include the required ADA notification and language confirming counsel's compliance with Local Rule 4.
All notices of hearing must contain: (1) the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540 and (2) language that counsel has complied with Local Rule 4 (PDF).
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
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. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
Document Type
Contact Information
Every exhibit must be clearly labeled with the case number, defendant's name, and submitting party.
Exhibits must be clearly labeled with the case number, Defendant's name, and submitting party.
Document Type
Exhibits
For matters exceeding 15 minutes, the noticing party should state the calendar time requested.
On all matters in excess of fifteen (15) minutes, the noticing party should include the amount of time parties intend to be reserved on the calendar.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must use Form 2.603 to update electronic-service contact information whenever their registered email changes.
It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603, email designation form (PDF), any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Document Type
Contact Information Update
If the parties cannot agree on jury instructions, one set must be submitted with objections, modifications, or competing instructions placed next to each corresponding instruction.
If the parties are not able to come to agreement on jury instructions, one set should be submitted with objections, modifications, or competing instructions juxtaposed with each instruction.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All proposed orders must be submitted through Online Services.
All proposed orders shall be submitted through the Online Services (OLS).
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The Judicial Assistant will not release a hearing date until the moving party submits an e-filed motion bearing the Clerk's timestamp.
The Judicial Assistant will not release dates before the moving party submits an e-filed copy of the Motion that includes the Clerk's timestamp in the top left corner.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A proposed agreed order continuing a non-evidentiary hearing must be submitted at least two business days before the hearing.
Proposed agreed orders to continue non-evidentiary hearings must be submitted at least two (2) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
A proposed order must be submitted no later than one week after the hearing unless the Court states otherwise.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after any hearing unless otherwise stated by the Court.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Every pretrial motion must be heard no later than the Motion Week preceding the calendar call for which it is scheduled.
All pre-trial motions shall be heard no later than the prior Motion Week to Calendar Call. for which it is scheduled.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
For non-evidentiary matters, the Notice of Hearing should be filed immediately after the parties agree on the date and time.
Notices of Hearing for all non-evidentiary matters should be timely filed immediately after parties have agreed upon a date and time.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A hearing generally may not be scheduled on less than five days' notice unless all parties agree.
Per Administrative Order 4.101 (PDF) no hearing shall be scheduled with less than five (5) days notice unless agreed to by all parties.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
For matters of 30 minutes or more, the Notice of Hearing should be filed immediately after agreement, and availability should be reconfirmed after more than three business days.
For all matters of thirty (30) minutes or more, Notices of Hearing should be filed immediately following parties' agreement upon a date and time. If more than three (3) business days have passed, please confirm with the Judicial Assistant the date and time is still available.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed dates and times for the stated shorter or longer matters may be held for up to five business days.
Dates and times given on matters of less than fifteen (15) minutes or more are held for up to five (5) business days.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A pretrial substantive motion expected to exceed 15 minutes should be brought to the court's attention immediately after filing.
Any pre-trial substantive motions of more than 15 minutes should be brought to the attention of the Court immediately upon filing.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
A proposed order continuing a calendar call should be submitted no later than two business days before the scheduled date.
Proposed orders to continue Calendar Call should be submitted no later than two (2) business days prior to the scheduled date.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The e-filed Notice of Hearing must also be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
An e-filed copy of the Notice of Hearing must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants generally must serve and receive service electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and each party when needed for the hearing or trial.
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, if necessary.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Courtesy copies of motions, applicable case law, and supporting documents must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at least three business days before the hearing.
Courtesy copies of Motions, applicable caselaw, and all supporting documents must be provided at least three (3) business days prior to hearing, e-mailed to the Judicial Assistant at CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
By noon on the Friday before trial, parties must communicate and email one set each of the agreed verdict form, pretrial stipulations, and jury instructions in Word format using Times New Roman 16-point or larger type.
No later than noon on Friday prior to trial, parties shall communicate and submit one set of agreed verdict form, pre-trial stipulations, and jury instructions. Please submit all documents in Times New Roman and 16 pt. font or larger via e-mail in WORD format to CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org.
Courtesy copies of written responses on specially set matters should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at least 48 hours before the hearing.
The Court greatly appreciates written responses on all specially set matters, with courtesy copies provided at least 48 hours prior to hearing, e-mailed to the Judicial Assistant at CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Physical exhibit copies must be placed in the Judges Box on the first floor of the Main courthouse just inside security.
Hardcopies must be submitted to the black "Judges Box" located on the 1st floor of the Main courthouse just inside security.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
The court requests hard copies when multiple exhibits or transcripts exceed 30 pages.
The Court greatly appreciates parties provide hardcopies when multiple exhibits and/or transcripts are in excess of thirty (30) pages.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
The court prefers hard copies of documents exceeding 30 pages to be placed in the Judges' Box just inside courthouse security.
This Court prefers documents in excess of thirty (30) pages be provided via hardcopy and submitted via the black "Judges' Box" on the 1st floor of the Main courthouse just inside security.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion must be written and filed with the Clerk before requesting a hearing or submitting a proposed agreed order.
Motions for Continuance must be made in writing and filed with the Clerk's Office prior to requesting a hearing or submitting a proposed agreed order.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; successive requests are highly disfavored, and lack of diligence cannot justify relief.
Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. Successive continuances are highly disfavored. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A motion to continue a calendar call must be timely filed and heard well before the calendar call, and no such motion will be heard on the calendar-call day.
All Motions to Continue Calendar Call should be timely filed and heard well in advanced of the scheduled Calendar Call. No Motions to Continue will be heard on the day of Calendar Call.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A continuance motion must state the basis and when it arose, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and party agreement.
Your Motion must specify: (1) The basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed and/or opposing counsel's position; (3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed to by all parties.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
The proponent of an emergency matter must file the motion with the Clerk and send a copy to the Judicial Assistant by email.
The proponent of the emergency matter must file their Motion with the Clerk's Office, and send copy to the Judicial Assistant at CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
All hearing matters must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant after coordinating with opposing counsel.
All matters shall be set through the Judicial Assistant with date and time coordinated with opposing counsel.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Judicial-office communications must be emailed to the division account with specified subject-line information and a copy to opposing counsel.
All communications to the judicial office should be submitted via e-mail to CAD-DivisionX@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. The subject line of any e-mail must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 CF 001234 AMB State v. Smith – 2-Hour Hearing Requested). Opposing counsel must be copied.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Judicial-office communications must comply with Canon 3, and all parties must be copied unless law authorizes an ex parte communication.
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.
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.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The judicial office does not accept texts, may not return long-distance calls, and may answer voicemail by email copied to all case parties.
The judicial office does not accept text messages. Please note that long distance calls may not be returned. In compliance with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, messages left via voicemail may be returned via e-mail with all parties to the case copied.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Emails to or from the judicial office may be public records subject to disclosure.
Please be advised, any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Judicial-office inquiries are addressed in receipt order, with a target substantive response within two business days and permission to follow up by email or telephone after that period.
Be advised that all inquires are answered in the order received. The Judicial Assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within two business days. If you do not receive a substantively response from the Judicial Assistant within two business days, you may follow-up either by email or telephone.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Self-represented litigants and attorneys excused from email service may contact the judicial office at the listed telephone number.
Self-represented litigants and attorneys excused from e-mail service may communicate with the judicial office by telephone call to 561-355-3801.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office