Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements11 rules
4. All proposed orders must be in DJCMA format (see #6 & 7 below)
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Use DJCMA format
2. All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format.
- File type
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Include a cover letter with the proposed order
3. All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Submit proposed orders in Word format
Further, the exhibits presented to the Court at the final hearing should not have any highlighting or underlining or notations except for necessary redaction pursuant to the aforementioned rules.
4. All counsel and parties attending a hearing do so via video, unless video is impossible
The judge will admit you to the hearing from the waiting room. DO NOT disconnect from Zoom just because you may not be admitted right at the hearing time.
1. So that Judge Garcia can identify which persons in the waiting room are associated with a particular hearing, please set your Zoom user/screen name to your name or your firm’s name (as opposed to a nickname or other phrase).
5. As a video Zoom conference hearing is a court proceeding, it is anticipated that any counsel or party attending a hearing will be properly attired as if appearing in person in court.
6. So that hearings can promptly start, please log into the Zoom video conference at least five (5) minutes before the hearing start time.
c. Please label the documents submitted to the drop box so that they can be easily identified.
d. If documents being submitted include exhibits for an evidentiary hearing, please premark the exhibits and identify the party intending to introduce the exhibit. Counsel should agree on the method being used to identify the exhibits (such as one side using numbers and the opposing side using letters, or using party ID before the number/letter).
Document Filing Requirements19 rules
An updated child support guidelines worksheet attached if child support is an issue and if a party intends to rely on the child support guidelines not previously attached to the pretrial catalogue in this case.
An updated financial affidavit attached if the existing financial affidavit filed in the court file was filed more than 90 days prior to the pretrial conference in this matter.
The pretrial stipulation must state that the parties completed the listed good-faith discussions, stipulations, exhibit review, and updates.
Court's wording
A statement that the parties have met in good faith and discussed settlement, have stipulated to as many facts as possible, have included these facts within this stipulation, have examined all exhibits and documents that may be used at trial and have provided a list of any updated documents and witness names and addresses pursuant to paragraph 6.
A proposed parenting plan and timesharing schedule attached if parenting is at issue.
The parties shall file a written settlement agreement prior to the cancellation of the final hearing and within five (5) days of notifying the Court of settlement.
Attorneys submitting exhibits certify that they contain no confidential or sensitive information or that such information has been properly protected under the cited rules.
Court's wording
By submitting exhibits into evidence at the final hearing, the attorneys certify that the document contains no confidential or sensitive information, or that any such confidential or sensitive information has been properly protected by complying with the provisions of Rule 2.420 and Rule 2.425, Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
If your case has attorneys on both sides, every non-dispositive motion filed must include a Certificate of Good Faith Conferral demonstrating that the moving party made a good faith effort to resolve the relief requested in the motion prior to seeking the Court’s intervention.
- Document
- Non-dispositive motion
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Provide the following information in the hearing time request email: a. Type of petition(s)/motion(s) to be heard b. Actual amount of time needed for counsel to argue petition(s)/motion(s) – other than matters specified under #5. c. Names of attorneys/parties that will attend hearing
If the hearing is being conducted via Zoom include the Zoom instructions in any notices.
Once the final hearing date is confirmed, the party/counsel requesting the final hearing will prepare a proposed order setting final hearing, which will contain proposed disclosure and other deadlines.
3. Include Zoom instructions above in any notices for hearing
- Document
- Hearing notice
Include
- •Include the Zoom instructions above
The cover letter should indicate whether the proposed order is agreed to by opposing counsel/party or not.
If a pro se party is not registered to receive e-portal filings, the proposed order must include the specified service statement as its last paragraph before “DONE AND ORDERED.”
Court's wording
If the case involves a pro se party who is not registered to receive filings from the e- portal, the proposed order shall include as the last paragraph (before DONE AND ORDERED) the following statement: Counsel who submitted this proposed order to the Court for approval is required to serve a copy of the signed order upon any person(s) not registered to receive service via the e-portal.
9. Any proposed order not complying with the above instructions will not be entered.
Exhibits should not be filed with the court unless the exhibit is a demonstrative proposed outcome for the case.
Use Jackson County case number and style of case as your subject line.
Address: 4445 Lafayette Street. Marianna, FL 32446. There is no room number – just list as Circuit Courtroom.
You may attach a copy of the petition(s)/motion(s) to the email
5. Proposed orders do not need to include the addresses or email addresses of recipients of the order at the end.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders must be submitted through the 14th Judicial Circuit’s e-filing portal.
1. All proposed orders must be submitted via the 14th Judicial Circuit’s e-filing portal.
Page 6 | Family Law – Submission of Proposed Orders
Do not email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant.
5. DO NOT email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant
Page 7 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials (Pleadings, Memoranda, Exhibits, Case Law)
The OneDrive drop box is the only permitted digital method for submitting materials to the Court before a hearing.
Use of the OneDrive drop box is the only digital method to submit materials to the Court in advance of a hearing.
Page 7 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials (Pleadings, Memoranda, Exhibits, Case Law)
Do not send an email with attachments or hard copies of hearing materials. All hearing materials should be submitted via Microsoft OneDrive drop box.
Do not send an email with attachments or hard copies of hearing materials. All hearing materials should be submitted via Microsoft OneDrive drop box.
Page 7 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials (Pleadings, Memoranda, Exhibits, Case Law)
Either the movant or the party opposing a motion may submit documents to the drop box.
b. Either the movant or party opposing the motion may submit documents to the drop box.
Page 7 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials (Pleadings, Memoranda, Exhibits, Case Law)
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Both parties must file a Pretrial Catalogue by the number of days before the hearing specified in the order.
No later than ___________ days before the scheduled final hearing in this case, both parties shall file and serve a Pretrial Catalogue as required by Amended Administrative Order # 2016-00-01 “RE: Standing Family Law Pre-trial Court Order.”
Civil cases
Page 1 | ORDER SETTING TRIAL VIA ZOOM WITH PRETRIAL INSTRUCTIONS
The parties must file the pretrial stipulation at least 15 days before the final hearing.
No later than fifteen (15) days before the scheduled final hearing in this case, the parties shall file a pretrial stipulation to include the following:
Civil cases
Page 2 | ORDER SETTING TRIAL VIA ZOOM WITH PRETRIAL INSTRUCTIONS
The written settlement agreement must be filed before cancellation of the final hearing and within five days of settlement notice to the Court.
The parties shall file a written settlement agreement prior to the cancellation of the final hearing and within five (5) days of notifying the Court of settlement.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Order Setting Trial via Zoom with Pretrial Instructions
Do not file a notice of hearing until the judicial assistant confirms by email that the hearing is set.
Do not file a notice of hearing before receiving a confirmation email from the judicial assistant confirming that the hearing has been set
Page 3 | Family Law – Hearing Time
Do not prepare or file a notice of an added motion until the judicial assistant confirms the addition.
Do not prepare and file a notice of the added motion until receipt of the judicial assistant’s confirmation.
Page 3 | Family Law – Hearing Time
Materials a party wants the Court to consider at a hearing must be submitted in advance, except for documents already in the court file that are readily accessible or identifiable.
1. Any documentation being used or relied upon at a hearing that a party wants the Court to review and consider must be submitted in advance. This includes: a. Exhibits b. Memoranda not previously filed with the clerk c. Copies of case law, statutes or other citations d. Any demonstrative aides e. Any other documentation that a party intends to use at the hearing However, additional copies of motions, memoranda already filed with the clerk or other documents which are already in the court file (unless attached to or incorporated in other filings and not easily accessible or identifiable) do not need to be submitted again prior to the hearing.
Page 7 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials (Pleadings, Memoranda, Exhibits, Case Law)
If the drop box cannot be used, materials may be mailed in hard copy and must be received at least two business days before the hearing.
If it is impossible to use the drop box, materials may be submitted in hard copy format, to be mailed so that the documents are received at least two (2) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 7 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials (Pleadings, Memoranda, Exhibits, Case Law)
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Both parties must serve the Pretrial Catalogue by the number of days before the hearing specified in the order.
No later than ___________ days before the scheduled final hearing in this case, both parties shall file and serve a Pretrial Catalogue as required by Amended Administrative Order # 2016-00-01 “RE: Standing Family Law Pre-trial Court Order.”
Civil cases
Page 1 | ORDER SETTING TRIAL VIA ZOOM WITH PRETRIAL INSTRUCTIONS
All exhibits must be delivered to the opposing party when the Pretrial Catalogue is filed.
ALL exhibits must be delivered to the opposing party at the time of filing the Pretrial Catalogue.
Civil cases
Page 1 | ORDER SETTING TRIAL VIA ZOOM WITH PRETRIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Discovery requests must be served early enough for the requests to be completed before the discovery deadline.
Therefore, all discovery requests must be served so that the requests can be completed prior to that deadline.
Civil cases
Page 2 | ORDER SETTING TRIAL VIA ZOOM WITH PRETRIAL INSTRUCTIONS
A signed order will be served through the e-portal on all counsel and parties registered for service there.
A copy of the signed order will be served on all counsel/parties registered for service via the e-portal.
Page 6 | Family Law – Submission of Proposed Orders
Counsel who receives a served copy of an entered order is responsible for serving the signed order on any party not registered for e-portal service.
Counsel receiving the served copy of an order entered is then charged with responsibility for serving a copy of the signed order on any party not registered to receive service via the e-portal.
Page 6 | Family Law – Submission of Proposed Orders
The email requesting a OneDrive drop box must be copied to all other counsel or parties.
a. Any counsel or party that desires to provide hearing materials shall contact the judicial assistant and request a OneDrive drop box for the case. The email request shall be copied to all other counsel or parties.
Page 7 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials (Pleadings, Memoranda, Exhibits, Case Law)
The judge’s office will not mail copies of orders.
The judge’s office will not mail out copies of any orders.
Page 6 | Family Law – Submission of Proposed Orders
Filing a cancellation notice and providing it to opposing counsel or a party, especially an opposing self-represented party, is encouraged as a matter of professionalism and courtesy.
However, filing such a notice and providing such to any opposing counsel or party (especially in the case of opposing pro se parties) is considered good professionalism and courtesy.
Page 8 | Family Law – Cancellations
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Confidential or sensitive information in exhibits must be protected in accordance with the cited Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
By submitting exhibits into evidence at the final hearing, the attorneys certify that the document contains no confidential or sensitive information, or that any such confidential or sensitive information has been properly protected by complying with the provisions of Rule 2.420 and Rule 2.425, Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Order Setting Trial via Zoom with Pretrial Instructions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Motions to continue pretrials should be made before the established pretrial date and are considered case by case.
The Court will consider motions to continue pretrials prior to the established pretrial date on a case-by-case basis.
Page 9 | Judge Garcia’s Criminal Division Policies And Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Parties must immediately notify the Court if the case settles.
Parties shall immediately notify this Court in the event of settlement.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Order Setting Trial via Zoom with Pretrial Instructions
A person needing disability accommodations must contact the ADA Coordinator at least seven days before the appearance, or immediately upon receiving the notice if fewer than seven days remain.
Please contact the ADA Coordinator by mail at Post Office Box 1089, Panama City, FL 32402 or by phone at (850) 767-3550 at least seven (7) days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than seven (7) days.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Instructions for Appearing Remotely
Email the judicial assistant a copy of each hearing notice after it is filed.
Email the Judicial Assistant a copy of all notices for hearing once filed
Page 3 | Family Law – Hearing Time
A noticed motion will not be heard unless it is specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant.
Any motions noticed, but not specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant, will not be heard
Page 3 | Family Law – Hearing Time
To add a motion to a scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent, email the judicial assistant, and ensure the motion is cleared and sufficient hearing time is reserved.
Additional motions cannot be piggybacked on a previously scheduled hearing time without being cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel, and provided sufficient time has been reserved. To add a motion to a previously scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the addition, then email the judicial assistant about adding the motion to the hearing. The judicial assistant will confirm the addition of the motion to the hearing time.
Page 3 | Family Law – Hearing Time
Obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the proposed order’s form and included deadlines.
Obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the form of the order and deadlines included therein.
Page 4 | Family Law – Final Hearing Dates
Request final hearing dates by emailing Judge Garcia’s judicial assistant and copying opposing counsel.
Email request for final hearing dates to Judge Garcia’s Judicial Assistant, Debbie Burch, and copy opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to burchd@jud14.flcourts.org.
Page 4 | Family Law – Final Hearing Dates
If exhibits will be offered, email to request access to the case OneDrive folder at least three days before the hearing.
If exhibits will be offered, please email __________ at least three (3) days prior to the hearing to request access to a OneDrive folder for your case.
Civil cases
Page 5 | INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPEARING REMOTELY
Email the Judicial Assistant only to request dates or confirm the hearing date, and do not include the assistant in counsel or staff email chains.
Only email the Judicial Assistant to request dates and confirm the hearing date. Do not include the Judicial Assistant in email chains between counsel and/or staff to clear dates (or anything else).
Page 2 | Family Law – Hearing Time
Request hearing time by email to Judge Garcia’s assistant, copying opposing counsel.
Email request for hearing time to Judge Garcia’s assistant, Debbie Burch, and copy opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to burchd@jud14.flcourts.org.
Page 2 | Family Law – Hearing Time
Contact the judicial assistant to obtain Zoom contact information.
Contact the Judicial Assistant for Zoom contact information.
Page 3 | Family Law – Hearing Time
Final hearings are generally scheduled in person; other hearings may be scheduled via Zoom only by agreement of all parties.
The Court will generally schedule all final hearings in person. All other hearings may be scheduled via Zoom upon the agreement of all parties.
Page 3 | Family Law – Hearing Time
Do not request a case management conference to obtain final hearing dates unless the final hearing is multi-day.
Do not request a case management conference to obtain final hearing dates, unless setting a multi-day final hearing
Page 4 | Family Law – Final Hearing Dates
Email the judicial assistant only to request dates or confirm the selected final date; do not include the assistant in counsel or staff email chains.
Only email the Judicial Assistant to request dates and confirm the final date selected. Do not include the judicial assistant in email chains between counsel and/or staff to clear dates (or anything else).
Page 4 | Family Law – Final Hearing Dates
Use the Jackson County case number and case style in the email subject line.
Use Jackson County case number and style of case as your subject line.
Page 4 | Family Law – Final Hearing Dates
Counsel or a party seeking to provide hearing materials must request a case-specific OneDrive drop box from the judicial assistant.
a. Any counsel or party that desires to provide hearing materials shall contact the judicial assistant and request a OneDrive drop box for the case. The email request shall be copied to all other counsel or parties. The judicial assistant will send out an email to all parties with a link to the drop box.
Page 7 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials (Pleadings, Memoranda, Exhibits, Case Law)
When a hearing is canceled, notify the Judicial Assistant as promptly as possible; the listed email address is provided for contact.
1. In the event of a cancellation of a hearing, please notify the Judicial Assistant as promptly as possible to open the time for other cases. Judge Garcia’s Judicial Assistant can be reached at burchd@jud14.flcourts.
Page 8 | Family Law – Cancellations
3. Notices to the Judicial Assistant of a cancellation or settlement should be sent via email.
3. Notices to the Judicial Assistant of a cancellation or settlement should be sent via email.
Page 8 | Family Law – Cancellations
Notify the Judicial Assistant of a settlement even if other matters remain, but wait to request removal from the docket if settlement depends on agreement to the document’s form until all parties agree on its language.
2. In the event of a settlement of a case set for final hearing, please notify the Judicial Assistant that the matter has settled so it can be removed from the final hearing docket, even if there are still matters remaining to be concluded (filing of signed settlement agreement, entry of final judgment, etc.). However, if a settlement is contingent upon the agreement to the form of an agreement, please wait until the language of the agreement is agreed to by all parties prior to requesting a matter be removed from the final hearing docket.
Page 8 | Family Law – Cancellations
Parties may direct the Court at the hearing to particular lines of a document.
Parties may direct the Court at the hearing to particular lines of a document, but highlighting any document results in difficulties deciphering that information after the exhibit is filed by the clerk.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Order Setting Trial via Zoom with Pretrial Instructions
People who are hearing or voice impaired may call 711 for assistance with accommodation requests.
If you are hearing or voice impaired, please call 711 or email ADARequest@jud14.flcourts.org.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Instructions for Appearing Remotely
If you need a proposed-order form, contact Judge Garcia’s assistant to request one.
If you need a form of the proposed order, contact Judge Garcia’s assistant to request.
Page 4 | Family Law – Final Hearing Dates
An email notifying the Judicial Assistant of a cancellation or settlement removes the matter from the calendar whether or not a cancellation notice has been filed; there is no need to send the assistant a copy of such a notice.
4. Upon receipt by the Judicial Assistant of the email canceling a hearing or notifying of a settlement, the matter will be removed from the calendar, whether or not a notice of cancellation has been filed. There is no need to send a copy of a notice of cancellation to the judicial assistant.
Page 8 | Family Law – Cancellations