Judge Joel D. Fritton
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
- Upon Filing
Emergency Motion, Expedited Motion
Joint Stipulation
- Upon Filing
Motion, Proposed Order
Adjournments
- Either party may request a continuance for good cause, but the motion must be e-filed at least five days before the proceeding, include the specific reason and the opposing party's position, and include a courtesy copy for the Judicial Assistant.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Unless the Court gives prior permission, a legal memorandum may not exceed 10 pages.
Absent prior permission of the Court, no party shall file a legal memorandum which exceeds ten (10) pages in length.
Legal Memorandum
10 pages
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Electronic exhibits should use a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF.
The ===== PAGE 4 ===== electronic exhibits should be in a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF.
Each exhibit must be named in a manner that makes it easy to locate, such as “P#1 – Photo.”
The exhibits are to be named in such a manner as to make them easily located such as "P#1 – Photo" etc.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
A motion for an extension, a discovery dispute, or similar relief must include certification that the parties attempted to resolve the dispute.
A certification that this requirement has been satisfied shall be included in any motion for an extension of time, discovery dispute, or similar request for relief.
Document Type
Motion
A discovery-content motion must identify the challenged interrogatory, question, or request, state the grounds for objection, and provide supporting legal authority.
Motions related to the content of discovery shall include the interrogatory, question or request being challenged, the grounds for the objection, and the legal authority for the position taken by the movant.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
A motion to continue must be accompanied by a proposed continuance order upon e-filing.
The moving party must also provide a proposed Order of continuance to the Court once the motion has been e-filed.
Document Type
Motion To Continue
A joint stipulation seeking a continuance should include a proposed order, be e-filed, and be provided to the Judicial Assistant.
Joint stipulations for continuances also require a proposed Order and should be e-filed and provided to the Judicial Assistant.
Document Type
Joint Stipulation For Continuance
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
After hearing-date confirmation, the requesting party must prepare and electronically file a hearing notice stating the allotted hearing time and send one courtesy copy by email to the Judicial Assistant.
Upon confirmation by the Judicial Assistant of the coordinated hearing date and time, the requesting party shall prepare the notice for the hearing and e-file same, providing a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant via email. The notice should include the amount of time set aside for the hearing.
Page 1 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
Case law shorter than 15 pages must be submitted to the Judicial Assistant by email.
Case law to be considered by the Court that is less than fifteen (15) pages shall be submitted via email to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 2 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
Case law longer than 15 pages must be submitted by U.S. mail or hand delivery.
Case law over fifteen (15) pages shall be submitted by U.S. Mail or Hand Delivery.
Page 2 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
Defense counsel may e-file a defendant-signed waiver of appearance before the specified court proceeding.
Said Waiver of Appearance shall be signed by the defendant and e-filed prior to the day of the proceeding.
Page 6 | CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Opposing party or counsel has 10 days from receipt of a motion to respond, and failure to respond may result in an order treating the motion as unopposed.
Opposing party/counsel shall have ten (10) days from receipt of a motion to file a response. Failure to timely respond may result in the issuance of an Order as if motion was unopposed.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE
Case law submitted for the Court's consideration must be provided at least 48 hours before the proceeding.
Said case law shall be submitted to the Court a minimum of 48 hours in advance of the proceeding date in order to give sufficient time for the Court to review same.
Page 2 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
Counsel must request a hearing interpreter through the Fifth Circuit website's online form at least seven days before the proceeding.
If an Interpreter will be needed for any hearing, a request must be submitted by counsel through the Fifth Circuit website at www.circuit5.org, using the online form provided at least seven (7) days prior to the proceeding.
Page 2 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
A waiver of appearance must be e-filed before the day of the specified court proceeding.
Said Waiver of Appearance shall be signed by the defendant and e-filed prior to the day of the proceeding.
Page 6 | CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A proof of service or waiver of service must be electronically filed with the Court before the hearing on an emergency motion.
Proof of service or waiver of service on emergency motions must be e-filed with the Court prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
For an electronic evidentiary hearing, intended evidence must be shared with the opposing party and court no later than 24 hours before the hearing.
In the event an evidentiary hearing is necessary via electronic means, any documents, photographs or other evidence that counsel or a pro-se party intends to use at the hearing must be shared with the opposing party, and the Court, no later than 24 hours before the hearing.
Page 3 | FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS — EVIDENCE
A party seeking to add allegations arising after filing must submit a Supplemental Petition and serve a copy on the Respondent.
If you would like to make additional allegations that occurred between the time of filing and the hearing, you must submit a Supplemental Petition and have a copy served on the Respondent.
Page 5 | INJUNCTIONS
Evidence may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant; evidence exceeding 15 pages may instead be delivered by U.S. mail or hand delivery.
Evidence may be shared with the Court by email attachments to the Court's Judicial Assistant via email, (or via U.S. Mail/Hand Delivery, if more than fifteen (15) pages).
Page 3 | FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS — EVIDENCE
A copy of a remote-appearance motion must also be provided to the opposing party.
You may file a Motion under Florida Rule General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530, and provide a copy to the opposing party and the Judicial Assistant.
Page 5 | INJUNCTIONS
Evidence already in the court file need not be provided because the court will take judicial notice of it.
Pursuant to F.S. 90.202(6), the Court will take judicial notice of items already in the Court file (pleadings, Orders, financial affidavits, etc.), so those items need not be provided.
Page 4 | FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS — EVIDENCE
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Every criminal continuance motion requires one courtesy copy for the Judicial Assistant when it is e-filed.
All motions to continue must be e-filed at least five (5) days prior to the Court proceeding, with a courtesy copy provided to the Court's Judicial Assistant.
Page 5 | CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
The requesting party must email one courtesy copy of the electronically filed hearing notice to the Judicial Assistant after date confirmation.
Upon confirmation by the Judicial Assistant of the coordinated hearing date and time, the requesting party shall prepare the notice for the hearing and e-file same, providing a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant via email.
Page 1 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
Standard motions should be filed with the Clerk and should not be copied to the Judicial Assistant.
Copies of standard motions should be filed with the Clerk and NOT copied to the Court's Judicial Assistant.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE
A joint continuance stipulation should be e-filed with a copy provided to the Judicial Assistant.
Joint stipulations for continuances also require a proposed Order and should be e-filed and provided to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 5 | CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
A motion concerning a remote appearance may be filed under Florida Rule General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530, with copies provided to the opposing party and Judicial Assistant.
You may file a Motion under Florida Rule General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530, and provide a copy to the opposing party and the Judicial Assistant.
Page 5 | INJUNCTIONS
Digital copies of motions and proposed orders generally should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant, except proposed orders that are filed through the court's e-portal.
Copies of motions, or proposed orders should be forwarded in digital format via email to the Judicial Assistant, (with the exception of those proposed Orders being e-filed through the Court's e-portal).
Page 1 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
Courtesy copies of emergency motions and motions seeking an expedited response should be provided through the Judicial Assistant.
Courtesy copies of emergency motions or those seeking an expedited response should be provided to the Court through the Judicial Assistant.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE
Filing Bundling Requirements
Exhibits must be submitted as separate documents rather than bundled into one PDF.
shall be submitted as separate documents (do not submit one PDF containing multiple exhibits).
Page 4 | FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS — EVIDENCE
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Counsel must obtain Court approval and contact the Judge's office before cross-noticing additional motions for a previously scheduled hearing.
Cross-noticing a hearing without the Court's approval is not permitted. If a case has been set for a hearing and opposing counsel is requesting the setting of additional motions at the previously scheduled hearing, prior to noticing these additional motions for hearing, ===== PAGE 2 ===== counsel must contact the Judge's office who will determine if sufficient time is available to have the additional motions(s) heard. Counsel will then be directed to follow the procedures to schedule the additional motion(s) for hearing.
Page 1 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
Every motion must be filed before a hearing on that motion is scheduled.
All motions must be filed prior to the scheduling of a hearing on same.
Page 1 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS
Before filing or scheduling a motion for hearing, parties or counsel must attempt to resolve the dispute.
Parties/Counsel shall attempt to resolve any disputes prior to filing a motion or scheduling it for hearing.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE
Non-evidentiary motions, including motions to compel, extensions of time, attorney substitution or withdrawal, leave to amend, and motions to dismiss, ordinarily will be decided from the motion and legal memorandum unless a hearing is required by law.
Non-evidentiary motions will ordinarily be ruled upon by the contents of the motion and legal memorandum unless a hearing is required by law. This includes but is not limited to motions to compel, extensions of time, substitute/withdrawal of counsel, leave to amend, and motions to dismiss.
Page 3 | FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS — ORAL ARGUMENT
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Either party may request a continuance for good cause, but the motion must be e-filed at least five days before the proceeding, include the specific reason and the opposing party's position, and include a courtesy copy for the Judicial Assistant.
Continuances are granted at the discretion of the Court. Either party may file a motion to continue for good cause. All motions to continue must be e-filed at least five (5) days prior to the Court proceeding, with a courtesy copy provided to the Court's Judicial Assistant. The motion must contain the specific reason for the continuance and state whether the opposing party agrees or objects to the continuance.
Page 5 | CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Requests for continuances should comply with Rule 1.460 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 2.545(e) of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
Requests for continuances should comply with Rule 1.460, Fla. R. Civ. P., and Rule 2.545 (e) Fla. R. Jud. Admin.
Page 3 | FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS — PROCEDURES FOR CANCELLING HEARINGS/TRIALS AND MOTIONS CONTINUANCES
If an attorney seeks a continuance in person rather than by motion, the attorney or covering attorney must appear in Court.
Alternatively, to seek a continuance, the attorney or the covering attorney must be present in Court.
Page 5 | CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Chambers Communication Rules
Immediately notify the court by telephone and email the Judicial Assistant whenever a hearing will be cancelled.
In addition to filing your notice of cancellation, you must immediately notify the Court via Tele. No. (352) 754-5823 and email this Court's Judicial Assistant, when a hearing is to be cancelled.
Page 3 | FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS — PROCEDURES FOR CANCELLING HEARINGS/TRIALS AND MOTIONS CONTINUANCES
Chamber conferences must be scheduled by email to the Judicial Assistant.
Chamber conferences are held prior to Court typically at 8:30 or 8:45 AM and must be scheduled via email to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 5 | CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
A chamber-conference date request must identify the assigned Assistant State Attorney and provide the case name and number.
When requesting dates, please include the specific Assistant State Attorney assigned to the case, as well as the case name and number.
Page 6 | CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Hearing requests should be emailed to Judicial Assistant Susan Jones with the case information, hearing or motion type, requested duration, and opposing party or counsel copied.
Hearing requests should be made via email to the Court's Judicial Assistant, Susan Jones, at sjones@circuit5.org, and shall include the case name and number, the type of hearing/motion to be heard, and the amount of time being requested. The opposing party/counsel should be copied on the email.
Page 1 | ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS