Judge Darren Steele
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
Communication
Phone
Document Format Requirements11 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF/a or Word format.
PDF A
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format.
Paper
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Format: All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF/or Word format.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format.
Paper
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Exhibits are to be marked as Plaintiff or Defendant A (B, C, etc).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Those appearing by zoom are to be dressed as if they were coming into the courtroom in person and in appropriate surroundings.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Exhibits are to be marked as Plaintiff or Defendant A (B, C, etc).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
PDF, Word document.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Format: PDF, Word document.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
They will be moved into evidence as 1,2,3 in the order they are admitted.
Document Filing Requirements19 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Pleas will not be done by zoom.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Anyone violating these conditions will be deemed not in attendance.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All evidentiary hearings must be attended by a defendant and the attorney, even if there is a proper waiver of appearance on file.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Evidentiary hearings, pleas, sentencings are NOT done remotely.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
DocumentRemote Appearance Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Do not send any evidence to the Court prior to the trial in the cause.
DocumentEvidence
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
The Defendant must sign the waiver of appearance and the waiver must be made part of the court file.
DocumentWaiver Of Appearance
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All requests for remote appearances are to be in writing and presented to the Court with ample time before the hearing to review the request.
DocumentRemote Appearance Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Zoom appearances in criminal court will be allowed upon written motion and signed order, and only for non evidentiary hearings.
DocumentRemote Appearance Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
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.
DocumentEmergency Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
If it is asserted that the other party agrees to the entry of the order, there must be something that indicates their agreement. A cover letter from the opposing party or initials on the order near the cc at the bottom is acceptable.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Any email service must provide in the cc of the order the email address of all parties.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
DocumentConference Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
When appearing by zoom, you must mute your microphone until your case is called.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
If it is asserted that the other party agrees to the entry of the order, there must be something that indicates their agreement.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Note
Arraignments for those who are wishing to plead not guilty can be best accomplished by a written plea of not guilty and waiver of arraignment.
DocumentPlea Of Not Guilty
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
You may only cancel a hearing set by you.
DocumentNotice Of Cancellation
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
A cover letter from the opposing party or initials on the order near the cc at the bottom is acceptable.
DocumentProposed Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders may be submitted by email to the Judicial Assistant or by mailed hard copy.
Submission of proposed orders can be by email to the Judicial Assistant or hard copies mailed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
Proposed orders may be submitted by email to the Judicial Assistant or by mailing hard copies.
Submission of proposed orders can be by email to the Judicial Assistant or hard copies mailed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Evidence must not be sent to the Court before trial.
Do not send any evidence to the Court prior to the trial in the cause.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Remote appearances are heard at the end of the docket.
Any remote appearance is taken at the end of the docket.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Remote Appearance Procedure
Zoom appearances are handled after in-person appearances.
Zoom appearances will be handled after in person appearances are conducted.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal Procedure
Parties are expected to submit memoranda of law and associated case law with reasonable time for court review.
The parties are expected to send memorandums of law and associated caselaw within a reasonable time for the court to review.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Submission Deadlines
Parties are expected to send memoranda of law and related case law in time for the court to review them.
The parties are expected to send memorandums of law and associated caselaw within a reasonable time for the court to review.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The party who sets a hearing must notify all parties, the clerk, and the Judge’s office.
The party setting the hearing is responsible for providing notice to all parties, the clerk and the Judge’s office.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Notice of Hearing
Anything sent to the Judge must be placed in the court file and sent to the opposing party.
Anything sent to the Judge shall be made part of the court file and sent to the opposing party.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Ex parte Communications
Hearing notice should be provided as soon as the hearing is set and at least five business days before the hearing.
This should be done as soon as the hearing is set, but must be no less than five business days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Notice of Hearing
Immediately file and serve a cancellation notice on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Cancelling Hearings
When an order is served by email, its cc section must include the email address of every party.
Any email service must provide in the cc of the order the email address of all parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
Anything sent to the Judge must be included in the court file and sent to the opposing party.
Anything sent to the Judge shall be made part of the court file and sent to the opposing party.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The party setting a hearing must notify all parties, the clerk, and the Judge’s office as soon as it is set and at least five business days before the hearing; mailing notice five days before is insufficient.
The party setting the hearing is responsible for providing notice to all parties, the clerk and the Judge’s office. This should be done as soon as the hearing is set, but must be no less than five business days before the hearing. Mailing the notice five days prior to the hearing is not sufficient notice.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A notice of cancellation must be filed and immediately served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless the communication is authorized ex parte 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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Ex parte Communications
Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless the communication is legally authorized ex parte.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
When filing and serving a hearing notice, also send a copy to the Judicial Assistant to confirm the hearing date and time on the docket.
When filing the notice of hearing with the clerk and serving it upon the appropriate parties, please also send a copy to Ms. Coons so that the date and time have been confirmed on the docket.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Criminal Procedure
Mailing a hearing notice five days before the hearing does not provide sufficient notice.
Mailing the notice five days prior to the hearing is not sufficient notice.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Notice of Hearing
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and every party to review at the hearing or trial.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Exhibits
Submit courtesy copies of case law or other specified documents to the court for evidentiary proceedings.
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified document must be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified documents must be submitted to the court for an evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified document must be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy-copy materials may be delivered by email to the Judicial Assistant, U.S. mail, or private delivery service.
e-mail to the Judicial Assistant, U.S. mail, or private delivery service.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies may be submitted by email to the Judicial Assistant, U.S. mail, or private delivery service.
Submission Method: e-mail to the Judicial Assistant, U.S. mail, or private delivery service.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Any party may request a case management conference when the case requires one.
Any party may request a case management conference (CMC) when a case requires.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Any party may request a status conference when the case requires one.
Any party may request a status conference when a case requires.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The preferred method to continue a docket call is a written motion with the State’s agreement.
Written motions to continue docket call, with an agreement by the State are the preferred method of continuing a docket call.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal Procedure
Chambers Communication Rules
Notify the Judicial Assistant immediately to cancel a hearing.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Cancelling Hearings
Hearings must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant.
All hearings must be set with the Judicial Assistant.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Scheduling Hearings
Contact the Judicial Assistant by phone or email to schedule hearings.
Please contact the Judicial Assistant Melanie Coons by phone (772-288-5561) or by email coonsm@circuit19.org; to schedule any hearings.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal Procedure
When calling the Judicial Assistant, provide the case number and the parties’ names.
If you call the Judicial Assistant, please be prepared to give the case number and the names of the parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Method of Communication
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Unsolicited Communications
Parties may contact the judicial office only in accordance with the stated practices and procedures.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | Unsolicited Communications
Parties may contact the judicial office only as permitted by these practices and procedures.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearings must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant.
All hearings must be set with the Judicial Assistant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A hearing must be canceled by immediately notifying the Judicial Assistant.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Callers to the Judicial Assistant should provide the case number and party names.
If you call the Judicial Assistant, please be prepared to give the case number and the names of the parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
If the court finds an emergency exists, it will schedule the hearing unilaterally.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Emails to the Judicial Assistant should include the case number and the parties’ names.
If you email the Judicial Assistant, please provide those things in the email.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Method of Communication
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Emails to the Judicial Assistant should include the case number and party names.
If you email the Judicial Assistant, please provide those things in the email.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office