Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 77 rules apply across Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter). Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Formatting

All 34
  • Format
    DOCX

    Proposed orders must be created in the latest version of Microsoft Word in .docx format.

  • Do not place spaces before the JJJJ, GGGG, or AAAA codes, and use the Right Alignment button to position signature fields.

  • Proposed orders must not contain page breaks or section breaks.

Filing Requirements

All 30
  • Applies to
    Proposed order
    Must include
    proposed order

    Proposed orders must use the specified signature-field code pairs, including DDDD/JJJJ, MMMM/AAAA, RRRR/GGGG, and CCCC.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    Each electronic-signature code must contain all four capital letters and may appear only once per line.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order
    Must include
    case number

    Every proposed order must include the Unified Case Number.

Communication

All 4
  • Non-lawyer personnel may communicate with judges, judicial officers, or other court personnel only about scheduling and other ministerial matters.

  • A lawyer must avoid substantive ex-parte communications with the presiding judge in a pending case.

  • A lawyer must notify opposing counsel of communications with the court or tribunal unless the communication concerns only scheduling or clerical matters.

E-Filing

All 3
  • Applies to
    Cover letter

    A cover letter is optional, but if submitted it must be an Adobe PDF containing relevant details and must be uploaded separately from the proposed order.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    When multiple proposed orders are submitted in one filing, each order must be uploaded separately to the E-Portal.

  • Applies to
    Foreclosure packet

    All foreclosure packet documents must be e-filed with the clerk when hearing time is reserved.

About Judge Jason J. Nimeth

Jason J. Nimeth, Circuit Judge, Lake County Circuit Court. Judicial assistant: Audrey Hatcher. Office: (352) 742-4390.

- Lake County Judicial Center P.O. Box 7800 550 W. Main Street Tavares, FL 32778

Common questions about Judge Jason J. Nimeth's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Jason J. Nimeth?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for notice of hearings. Details: delivery with bundled motion. The coordinating party must provide the Court a courtesy copy of the Notice of Hearing to finalize the hearing selection.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Scheduling a Hearing

What must be included with notice of conflict filings before Judge Jason J. Nimeth?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A Notice of Conflict must identify the conflicting case number and county and the judge presiding over the other case.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Cancellation of Hearings, Motions to Continue, and Notice of Conflict

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Jason J. Nimeth?

The rule requires proposed order. A proposed order must automatically accompany the listed motions, including specified agreed, appointment, default, withdrawal, continuance, and other agreed motions, subject to the stated conditions.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proposed Orders

How may parties contact Judge Jason J. Nimeth's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. Parties must request hearings by email to Audrey Hatcher because hearings are not scheduled by telephone.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Scheduling a Hearing

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Jason J. Nimeth?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include reason for request. A motion to continue must state specific grounds for the requested continuance.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Cancellation of Hearings, Motions to Continue, and Notice of Conflict

Is electronic filing required before Judge Jason J. Nimeth?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed orders other than final foreclosure judgments and continuing writs of garnishment must be emailed to Audrey Hatcher in an editable document such as Microsoft Word.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proposed Orders

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Jason J. Nimeth?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. A Notice of Conflict must be filed immediately upon discovery of the conflict, with a courtesy copy to the Court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Cancellation of Hearings, Motions to Continue, and Notice of Conflict

What rule applies to service for proposed order before Judge Jason J. Nimeth?

Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. Details: method: service by mail. For a self-represented litigant not using e-filing portal service, the proposed order must provide for service by regular U.S. mail and a filed notice of service within five days after entry.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proposed Orders
Complete rules summary for Judge Jason J. Nimeth

Parties must request hearings by email to Audrey Hatcher because hearings are not scheduled by telephone.

The hearing-request email must copy all other parties and include the case number, county, motion name, and requested hearing duration.

After all parties agree on a hearing date and time, the selection must be confirmed by email to Ms. Hatcher.

The coordinating party must provide the Court a courtesy copy of the Notice of Hearing to finalize the hearing selection.

A party seeking permission to cross-notice a motion must email Audrey Hatcher and copy opposing counsel.

The cross-noticing permission email must identify the motion, existing hearing date and time, and opposing counsel’s position.

A courtesy copy of the notice that the cause is at issue should be emailed to Audrey Hatcher.

A movant who no longer wants to proceed with a scheduled hearing must file a Notice of Cancellation and provide a courtesy copy to the Court.

A motion to continue must state specific grounds for the requested continuance.

A motion to continue must include opposing counsel’s position on the motion.

The moving party must send the Court a courtesy copy with a proposed order when moving for a continuance.

A Notice of Conflict must identify the conflicting case number and county and the judge presiding over the other case.

A Notice of Conflict must be filed immediately upon discovery of the conflict, with a courtesy copy to the Court.

A proposed order should not be submitted until it is ready for immediate entry.

Proposed orders other than final foreclosure judgments and continuing writs of garnishment must be emailed to Audrey Hatcher in an editable document such as Microsoft Word.

An agreed proposed order must include “Agreed” at the beginning of its title.

A proposed order must automatically accompany the listed motions, including specified agreed, appointment, default, withdrawal, continuance, and other agreed motions, subject to the stated conditions.

Every proposed order must include a certificate of service complying with Florida Rule of General Practice and Procedure 2.516.

The proposed order’s certificate of service must use substantially similar language certifying that a true and correct copy was provided through electronic service and/or regular U.S. mail.

For a self-represented litigant not using e-filing portal service, the proposed order must provide for service by regular U.S. mail and a filed notice of service within five days after entry.

Case law and memoranda of law may be submitted electronically to Audrey Hatcher for an upcoming hearing.

Case law and memoranda should be submitted at least ten days before the scheduled hearing.

Physical binders, case law, and memoranda should be sent at least one week before the hearing.

Evidence should be delivered to the Court only for virtual hearings.

More Judges in Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter)

Ann Melinda Craggs
Judge
Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky
Judge
Benjamin M. Boylston
Judge
Brad King
Judge
Brian M. Toti
Judge
Brian Welke
Judge
Carol Falvey
Judge
Cary F. Rada
Judge