Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Chambers Copy
Courtesy copies
- No Later Than Three Business Days Before Hearing or Trial
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; lack of due diligence is insufficient, successive requests are strongly disfavored, and the motion generally must be signed by the requesting party and state opposing counsel’s position.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Document Format Requirements4 rules
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Submit in Word format
The State (in criminal cases) or the Plaintiff (in civil cases) shall use numbers, and the Defense shall use letters.
Courtesy copies must be submitted in PDF/a format.
- File type
- PDF/A
Proposed orders must include “DONE AND ORDERED.”, leave space for the Judge’s e-signature, and omit the date because it is added automatically.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Write “DONE AND ORDERED.”
- •Do not write the date
Court's wording
Please write “DONE AND ORDERED.” with sufficient space below for the Judge’s e-signature (five single spaced lines works best). Please do not write the date that it is done and ordered; the date will be automatically included in the e-signature.
Document Filing Requirements14 rules
Criminal evidentiary exhibits must be presented at the hearing, but a physical exhibit may be sent to the judicial assistant for in-chambers review if both sides stipulate to pre-hearing consideration.
Court's wording
Exhibits for criminal evidentiary proceedings must be presented during the hearing.However, if both the State and Defense stipulate to the Court considering certain evidence prior to the hearing (such as a forensic interview for a Child Hearsay hearing), the physical exhibit may be sent to the judicial assistant for the judge to review in chambers.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Proposed Orders must include the names AND e-mail addresses of all parties who need to receive e-service of the Court’s Order.
In civil cases, exhibits for evidentiary hearings must be filed in the court file, and PDF courtesy copies for the Court are helpful.
In civil cases involving an unrepresented party, proposed orders must include the stated language assigning the sole attorney responsibility to serve the order on qualifying pro se parties within five business days.
Court's wording
Pursuant to SRCAD2019-03, all proposed Orders in civil cases must include the following language at the end of the order, after the signature line: In cases wherein one party is unrepresented (pro se), it is the responsibility of the sole attorney in the case to serve within five business days this [Order or Judgment] upon any pro se party who does not have access to and is not a registered user of the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal.
Please label the proposed Order being submitted with the case name and title of the Order, not just “Order.”
When proposed Orders are submitted regarding Motions to Continue, the proposed Order must include the new date for which the case is being scheduled.
Each proposed order must include a cover letter certifying agreement by all parties or identifying any disagreement.
Court's wording
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter 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.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
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.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance in criminal cases must be made by motion.
If all parties stipulate to the Motion and/or Order (and therefore a hearing is not required), please write in the proposed Order that the parties have stipulated to entry of the Order.
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.
A Notice of Hearing must state the hearing date, time, and type, include the Judge’s Zoom credentials for remote appearances, and contain the required ADA notification.
Court's wording
The Notice of Hearing shall advise the Court and all parties of the date, time, and type of hearing. A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Judge’s Zoom credentials. All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Submit proposed orders through the proposed-order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
All proposed orders must be submitted to the Court by the proposed order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Materials submitted for the Judge’s consideration before a hearing may be emailed or e-filed.
Any memoranda, case law, or other documents that parties wish for the Judge to consider prior to a hearing should be emailed or e-filed at least three business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Immediately after the hearing time is confirmed, file and serve a Notice of Hearing.
Once the hearing time has been confirmed, a Notice of Hearing must immediately be filed and served.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Submit electronic exhibits in civil cases three business days before the evidentiary proceeding.
In civil cases, electronic exhibits must be submitted three business days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Submit proposed orders within three business days after the court proceeding.
Proposed orders must be submitted within three business days after the court proceeding.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Materials submitted for the Judge’s consideration before a hearing should be emailed or e-filed at least three business days before the hearing.
Any memoranda, case law, or other documents that parties wish for the Judge to consider prior to a hearing should be emailed or e-filed at least three business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A proposed final judgment of foreclosure may be submitted through the e-filing portal before the foreclosure hearing.
Proposed Final Judgments of Foreclosure may be submitted through the e-filing portal prior to the foreclosure hearing.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Immediately after the hearing time is confirmed, serve the Notice of Hearing.
Once the hearing time has been confirmed, a Notice of Hearing must immediately be filed and served.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The sole attorney must serve the order or judgment on a qualifying pro se party within five business days.
In cases wherein one party is unrepresented (pro se), it is the responsibility of the sole attorney in the case to serve within five business days this [Order or Judgment] upon any pro se party who does not have access to and is not a registered user of the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Proposed orders must be provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Submit courtesy copies no later than three business days before a hearing or trial.
Courtesy copies must be submitted to the Court no later than three business days before any hearing or trial.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Submit courtesy copies to the Court by email at the stated address.
Courtesy copies must be submitted to the Court by e-mail to cheryl.newsom@flcourts1.gov.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies are not required, though copies of motions and exhibits may be helpful in civil cases.
The Court does not require the submission of courtesy copies.However, courtesy copies of motions and exhibits can be helpful in civil cases.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; lack of due diligence is insufficient, successive requests are strongly disfavored, and the motion generally must be signed by the requesting party and state opposing counsel’s position.
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. 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). The motion must indicate whether opposing counsel objects to the continuance.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Request hearings by emailing the judicial assistant and include the case number, party and attorney names, hearing type and length, and any additional relevant information.
Hearings must be requested by contacting the judicial assistant at cheryl.newsom@flcourts1.gov. In your email, please provide the following information: Case Number Party Names Attorney Names Type of Hearing Length requested for hearing Any additional information (e.g. hearing needed before or after a particular date, emergency filing, etc.)
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the stated address with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to cheryl.newsom@flcourts1.gov. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 25CF1234 – State v. John Doe – Hearing Requested for Motion to Suppress.)
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Immediately email the judicial assistant when a hearing is no longer necessary.
Upon determining that a hearing is no longer necessary, please immediately notify the judicial assistant via email at cheryl.newsom@flcourts1.gov.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Counsel must email the judicial assistant about emergency matters and include “EMERGENCY” in the subject line.
Counsel must notify the judicial assistant at cheryl.newsom@flcourts1.gov regarding any emergency matters. The subject line of the e-mail must contain the word EMERGENCY.
Page 1 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless an 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
Communications concerning a pending or impending proceeding must comply with Canon 3, including its prohibition on unauthorized ex parte communications.
Ex parte Communications: 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 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties may contact the judicial office only as these procedures allow, and the Court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited Communications: Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the Court.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys delayed by other court appearances or unforeseen circumstances should notify the judicial assistant.
Attorneys who are delayed due to other court appearances or unforeseen circumstances should notify the judicial assistant.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
After receiving available dates, coordinate with opposing counsel, preferably agree on several potential dates, and email the agreed dates to Ms. Newsom for confirmation.
Once Ms. Newsom provides available dates, coordinate with opposing counsel to select dates that work for all parties. It is recommended that the parties agree on several potential dates in case one of the dates is no longer available by the time the hearing is confirmed. Once the parties have agreed on the potential date(s), please inform Ms. Newsom via email, and she will reply confirming that the time slot is still available and finalizing the hearing being set.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Contact the judicial assistant by email to request template orders.
Please contact the judicial assistant at cheryl.newsom@flcourts1.gov for template orders.
Page 1 | J. Forms
For criminal Division A and B schedules, contact the judicial assistant by email.
For criminal cases, please email the judicial assistant at cheryl.newsom@flcourts1.gov for Judge Drake’s schedules for Divisions A and B.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The judicial assistant cannot provide legal advice.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office