Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Other Document
- Within 5 Days of Hearing
Exhibit
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Document Format Requirements7 rules
E-file the proposed Order in Word format and a cover letter in PDF format.
- File type
- Cover letter
All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
Format: Scanned in
Formatting
- •Scanned in
Administrative Order 2015-32 requires that all notices of court proceedings include the following ADA notice (in Times New Roman or Courier, 14-point bold font):
The proposed order should be named as follows: Division, case number, name, title of proposed order Example: J 2025 CF 156 Brown Order to Continue
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: the State shall use numbers, and the Defense shall use letters.
Orders must include “DONE and ORDERED” with sufficient space for the judge’s e-signature. Do not write the date; it is auto generated.
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
Once the hearing time has been confirmed, a Notice of Hearing should be filed with the Clerk of Court to advise all parties of the date, time and the matter to be heard.
If a proposed Order applies to multiple case numbers, separate proposed Orders must be e-filed for each case number.
Exhibits for criminal evidentiary proceedings must be presented during the hearing.
All Motions to Continue must state: “The State does not object to the continuance.”
All Motions to Continue must include the language “the State or Defense does not object to this Motion to Continue.
Every notice of court proceedings must include the specified ADA notice.
Court's wording
Administrative Order 2015-32 requires that all notices of court proceedings include the following ADA notice (in Times New Roman or Courier, 14-point bold font): If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact: Court Administration, ADA Liaison, Escambia County, 190 Governmental Center, 5th Floor, Pensacola, FL 32502, Phone (850) 595-4400, Fax (850) 595-0360, ADA.Escambia@flcourts1.gov.
Orders must include “DONE and ORDERED” with sufficient space for the judge’s e-signature. Do not write the date; it is auto generated.
- Document
- Proposed order
Must include
- •DONE and ORDERED
To schedule a Motion for hearing, the Motion must be filed in the court file.
The early termination request should include defendant’s name, case number, defendant’s address, defendant's Probation Officer’s name and the reason for the request for early termination.
- Document
- Early termination of probation request
Should include
- •Case number
Defendants may file Motions for Early Termination of Probation in motion or letter form.
The cover letter may be the Motion itself.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders must be electronically filed through the Escambia County e-portal.
Proposed Orders must be e-filed through the e-portal in Escambia County.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
For an emergency matter, email and electronically file the motion and proposed order, and mark the email urgent.
Requirements: Email and E-file the Motion and proposed Order and mark the email as urgent.
Page 1 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
When filing through the e-portal, select “proposed documents” from the drop-down menu.
Once in the e-portal, choose from the drop-down menu “proposed documents.”
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions to Continue for Docket Days must be filed by Thursday of the preceding week.
All Motions to Continue for Docket Days must be filed by the Thursday of the week prior to Docket Day.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Submit exhibits five days before the hearing.
Deadline for Submissions: Five (5) days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Do not file a Notice of Hearing before the Judicial Assistant confirms the hearing date and time.
Do not file a Notice of Hearing until the JA confirms.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A copy of written documents filed in the court file must be served on all parties.
Written documents filed in the court file (with a copy served on all parties);
Page 1 | Information for Pro Se Litigants (Parties who are not represented by an attorney)
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address to receive signed orders electronically unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Copy all opposing parties when sending courtesy materials.
Copy all opposing parties in a case
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information on Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email account changes.
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.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Submit courtesy copies within five days of the hearing date.
Deadline for Submissions: Within five (5) days of hearing date
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Submit courtesy copies of case law and other documents when they will be relied on in a court proceeding.
When it is to be relied on in a court proceeding.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Submit the courtesy copies by email.
Submission Method: Email
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
If both sides stipulate to pre-hearing consideration of evidence, the physical exhibit may be sent to the Judicial Assistant for the judge to review in chambers before 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, prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A Motion to Continue that does not include the required statement will not be signed and will be addressed on Docket Day.
Otherwise, Judge Simon will not sign, and the Motion will be addressed at Docket Day.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
An objected-to Motion to Continue will be heard on Docket Day.
If the State or Defense does object to the continuance, the Motion to Continue will be heard on Docket Day.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
The Judicial Assistant cannot relay messages about pending cases to Judge Simon from parties or other people.
Judge Simon’s Judicial Assistant cannot take a message pertaining to a pending case from a party, family member, or other person to pass to Judge Simon.
Page 1 | Information for Pro Se Litigants (Parties who are not represented by an attorney)
Judge Simon will not discuss a pending case with a party outside a hearing.
Judge Simon will not discuss pending cases with any party outside of a hearing.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
After filing a motion, the moving party must email the Judicial Assistant to request a hearing date.
When a Motion is filed, it is up to the party who filed the motion to email the JA and ask for the Motion to be set for a hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
For an emergency matter, mark the email to the court as urgent.
Requirements: Email and E-file the Motion and proposed Order and mark the email as urgent.
Page 1 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
The Judicial Assistant cannot relay messages about pending cases to Judge Simon from parties or other people.
His Judicial Assistant cannot take a message pertaining to a pending case from a party, family member, or other person to pass to Judge Simon.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
After filing the motion, email it to the Judicial Assistant with the case number, defendant’s name, copies to all attorneys, and any additional scheduling information.
Once filed, email the Motion to Judge Simon’s JA at jane.alford@flcourts1.gov and include: Copy of the Motion Case number Name of defendant Copy all attorneys involved Any additional information (e.g., hearing needed before/after a certain date, emergency filing, etc.)
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Judge Simon and his Judicial Assistant cannot give legal advice, including advice about filings, forms, documents, opposing parties, or likelihood of success.
Judge Simon and his judicial assistant are not permitted to give legal advice. “legal advice” means suggesting things that might be filed, evaluating the sufficiency of information on a form, interpretation of any document, evaluating the conduct of an opposing party or lawyer, and giving an opinion about the likelihood of success of an action in litigation.
Page 1 | Information for Pro Se Litigants (Parties who are not represented by an attorney)
Inquiries filed with the Clerk or mailed to Judge Simon receive a written response, and must include a legible address to receive that response.
If a motion or letter is filed with the Clerk of Court or mailed to Judge Simon, a response will be given to the inquiry in writing in the form of either a letter or an Order. Please always make sure there is a legible address on any inquiries to the Court. Otherwise, you will not get a response.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Judge Simon and his Judicial Assistant cannot give legal advice, including advice about filings, forms, documents, opposing parties, or likelihood of success.
Judge Simon and his Judicial Assistant are not permitted to give legal advice, which includes suggesting things that might be filed, evaluating the sufficiency of information on a form, interpreting any document, evaluating the conduct of an opposing party or lawyer, or giving an opinion about the likelihood of success of an action in litigation.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Request an interpreter for a hearing or trial by contacting Court Administration at Trinidad.SerranoBennitt@flcourts1.gov.
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please contact Court Administration to request an interpreter at (850) 595-4533 or Trinidad.SerranoBennitt@flcourts1.gov.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Request a pretrial conference by emailing Judge Simon’s Judicial Assistant.
Judge Simon will set Pretrial Conferences upon request. Email any request for Pretrial Conferences to Judge Simon’s JA.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
The Judicial Assistant cannot recommend specific lawyers or excuse anyone from a court appearance; only a judge may grant an excuse.
His Judicial Assistant also cannot recommend specific lawyers or excuse a party/attorney from court appearances (only a judge may grant that request).
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The Judicial Assistant cannot excuse a party or attorney from appearing in court; only a judge can grant that request.
Judge Simon’s Judicial Assistant does not have the authority to excuse a party or attorney from court appearances. Only a judge can grant that request.
Page 1 | Information for Pro Se Litigants (Parties who are not represented by an attorney)
Request an interpreter for a hearing or trial by contacting Court Administration at (850) 595-4533.
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please contact Court Administration to request an interpreter at (850) 595-4533
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Communication about assigned cases is limited to written documents filed in the court file or court hearings.
Communication with Judge Simon regarding cases assigned to him can take two forms: Written documents filed in the court file (with a copy served on all parties); and Court hearings
Page 1 | Information for Pro Se Litigants (Parties who are not represented by an attorney)
The Judicial Assistant cannot recommend lawyers or advise a party about handling a matter pending before the judge.
Judge Simon’s Judicial Assistant is not permitted to recommend specific lawyers or advise a party on how to handle the matters pending before the judge.
Page 1 | Information for Pro Se Litigants (Parties who are not represented by an attorney)
Defendants or anyone sending any communication on behalf of a defendant should file the communication with the Clerk of Court, felony division, who will electronically send the communication to Judge Simon.
Defendants or anyone sending any communication on behalf of a defendant should file the communication with the Clerk of Court, felony division, who will electronically send the communication to Judge Simon.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
This should be filed with the Clerk of Court, felony division.
This should be filed with the Clerk of Court, felony division.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If a hearing is no longer needed, notify the Judicial Assistant by email as soon as possible.
If a hearing is no longer necessary, notify Judge Simon’s JA as soon as possible via email.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
An attorney with an appointment before another judge should notify Judge Simon’s Judicial Assistant in advance so the case can be called first.
If an attorney has an appointment with another judge in our courthouse or in another courthouse, please let Judge Simon’s JA know in advance so that he will be aware that he will need to call this case first.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Email is the preferred way for defense counsel to communicate, particularly about scheduling hearings.
Method of Communication: Email is the preferred method of communication for attorneys representing defendants, especially regarding scheduling hearings.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office