Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 7 rules apply across Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Miami-Dade County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 6
  • Applies to
    Forms packet

    Pro se parties must acquire and utilize the Eleventh Judicial Circuit forms packet (or forms substantially in compliance therewith) from the Clerk's Office, unless waived for good cause by the Administrative or Associate Administrative Judge.

  • Applies to
    Self help program registration

    Pro se parties must register with the Circuit's Family Court Self Help Program to receive information, instructions, referrals, and assistance, unless waived for good cause by the Administrative or Associate Administrative Judge.

  • Applies to
    Pleadings and papers

    At the time of filing, pro se parties must have their pleadings and papers reviewed as to form by the Family Court Self Help Program, unless waived for good cause by the Administrative or Associate Administrative Judge.

Fees

All 1
  • Fee
    $35
    Applies to
    Forms packet

    The required forms packet is available from the Clerk's Office at a cost not to exceed $35.00, subject to good-cause waiver of the procedures by the Administrative or Associate Administrative Judge.

View all Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Miami-Dade County rules
About Judge William Altfield

William Altfield is a judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, serving Miami-Dade County. The circuit handles both circuit and county court divisions.

Judge Altfield's published procedures include division policy and procedures, as well as discovery order practice and procedures.

Common questions about Judge William Altfield's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge William Altfield?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions. Details: delivery upon filing. Because the Clerk's Office does not forward e-filed motions to the judge, counsel MUST provide courtesy copies of motions directly to Judge Altfield by hand-delivery, facsimile, or email to F020@jud11.flcourts.org.

View ruleSource: page 3, section II. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR SPECIFIC MOTIONS

Does Judge William Altfield require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge William Altfield's rules set a pre-motion procedure for arthur hearing. Before an Arthur hearing, defense counsel must first confer with the assigned ASA to verify that the State will not agree to any pretrial release conditions.

View ruleSource: page 4, section 4. ARTHUR HEARINGS

What must be included with motion filings before Judge William Altfield?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. All motions must be in writing unless the standing order provides an exception for a specific motion type.

View ruleSource: page 3, section II. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR SPECIFIC MOTIONS

What must be included with jac indigency motion filings before Judge William Altfield?

The rule requires proposed order. JAC indigency motions must be submitted to Chambers together with supporting documentation, JAC's response, and a proposed order.

View ruleSource: page 4, section 2. JAC MOTIONS

How may parties contact Judge William Altfield's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge William Altfield's chambers. Emails to the Court must never use 'SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENTS' in the subject line because the email system will automatically reject them.

View ruleSource: page 2, section I. GENERAL

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge William Altfield?

Requests should be made at least 5 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge William Altfield. The request must include adversary position. Continuances may be made ore tenus or in writing at the sounding (or at least 5 days before trial if there is no sounding calendar), will not be entertained at trial absent exigent circumstances, and require advance notice to opposing counsel if made on the trial date.

View ruleSource: page 4, section II. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR SPECIFIC MOTIONS

Is electronic filing required before Judge William Altfield?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. The original motion must be filed with the clerk's office.

View ruleSource: page 3, section II. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR SPECIFIC MOTIONS

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge William Altfield?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Pretrial motions in limine and any motion requiring an evidentiary hearing must be filed at least five days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 5, section 6. MOTIONS IN LIMINE

What rule applies to serving the court before Judge William Altfield?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the court. Before asking for a hearing date, counsel must hand deliver or email the motion to the Judicial Assistant.

View ruleSource: page 3, section II. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR SPECIFIC MOTIONS
Complete rules summary for Judge William Altfield

Emails to the Court must never use 'SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENTS' in the subject line because the email system will automatically reject them.

Any email to Judge Altfield regarding court business must copy the Judicial Assistant.

Emails to the Judge or the judicial assistant about a case must copy all counsel in the same email.

Judge Altfield's Judicial Assistant can be reached at 1351 N.W. 12th Street, Room 602, Miami, FL 33125, by phone at 305.548.5730, or by fax at 305.548-5326.

If a party has case law on an issue, it must be provided to the Court before the hearing.

To have an in-custody defendant transported for a hearing, counsel must email the Judicial Assistant prior to 2:00 pm the day before the hearing.

All motions must be in writing unless the standing order provides an exception for a specific motion type.

Motion hearings are set by contacting Judge Altfield's Judicial Assistant, who will call the attorney's office with the calendar date.

Before asking for a hearing date, counsel must hand deliver or email the motion to the Judicial Assistant.

The original motion must be filed with the clerk's office.

Because the Clerk's Office does not forward e-filed motions to the judge, counsel MUST provide courtesy copies of motions directly to Judge Altfield by hand-delivery, facsimile, or email to F020@jud11.flcourts.org.

Continuances may be made ore tenus or in writing at the sounding (or at least 5 days before trial if there is no sounding calendar), will not be entertained at trial absent exigent circumstances, and require advance notice to opposing counsel if made on the trial date.

JAC indigency motions must be submitted to Chambers together with supporting documentation, JAC's response, and a proposed order.

JAC motions must include all costs requested or paid to date, and all requests for fees and/or investigative and due process costs must be itemized.

An order may be submitted to chambers for stipulated or agreed motions only if accompanied by a motion signed by both parties or an email or other proof of both parties' agreement.

For motions in limine, counsel must file the original with the Clerk's office and send a copy to chambers.

Before an Arthur hearing, defense counsel must first confer with the assigned ASA to verify that the State will not agree to any pretrial release conditions.

For Arthur Hearings, both parties are strongly encouraged to provide the Court with the videos, transcripts, and evidence they will rely on at least 24 hours before the hearing.

Before submitting a Nebbia motion to chambers, defense counsel must first present the documentary proof to the State to seek a stipulation; absent a stipulation, the documents are submitted to chambers for hearing scheduling.

The Nebbia movant must prepare and serve the Notice of Hearing.

Nebbia hearings are typically set for the next business day when the documents are provided to Chambers before 3:00 PM.

Pretrial motions in limine and any motion requiring an evidentiary hearing must be filed at least five days before trial.

Pretrial motions in limine and motions requiring evidentiary hearings must be served upon opposing counsel at least five days before trial.

Motions in limine that do not require an evidentiary hearing must be filed in writing the Friday before trial, and failure to do so absent good cause is a sufficient basis for denial.

Motions to suppress, in limine, or to exclude must clearly set forth the evidence targeted and the specific reasons for suppression or exclusion.

Boilerplate motions or motions devoid of specific supporting allegations are not legally sufficient.

For return-of-property motions, the movant must file the original with the Clerk's office and send a copy to chambers.

Return-of-property motions are scheduled at least two weeks after filing to give the State time to determine whether it or the arresting agency objects.

The return-of-property Notice of Hearing must include the law enforcement agency holding the property.

The movant must be prepared to show the Court proof that the agency holding the property was served, either by certified mail return receipt or an agency receipt verifying service.

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