Judge Alicia R. Washington
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- No Later Than 3 Business Days Before Any Evidentiary Proceeding
Notice Of Hearing
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only for good cause.
- Trial continuance motions must be written, filed before docket sounding, and state the grounds and opposing counsel’s position.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Clerk
Chambers
Document Format Requirements5 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format by email to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at division52@circuit7.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All exhibits for evidentiary hearings or trial must be provided to the clerk in paper format in advance of the hearing or trial for marking.
Paper
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Orders granting substitution of counsel shall be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at Division52@circuit7.org in MS Word format.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The Defendant and the State, pursuant to the provisions of Fla.R.Crim.P. 3.171, agree as follows (NO ABBREVIATIONS):
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
PDF/a format or Word document is preferred, if submitted electronically.
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A notice of hearing must include the specified case, hearing, matter, judge, and reserved-time details; remote appearance notices must include Zoom information; and all notices must include the required ADA notification.
A notice of hearing must include the following minimum information: the case style including case number; the date, time, and location of the hearing; the matter(s) to be heard including docket number or filing date of each motion; the judge presiding over the hearing; and the amount of time reserved for the hearing. A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Zoom meeting information. All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
The email must indicate whether all parties are in agreement as to the form of the order.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Defense counsel may appear by filing a Notice of Appearance, but counsel replacing existing counsel must move for substitution with the client’s written consent.
Defense counsel may appear on a case by filing a Notice of Appearance, unless the Defendant is already represented by other counsel on that case, in which case, counsel will need to move for substitution of counsel, with the client’s written consent, as provided in Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.505(e).
DocumentSubstitution Of Counsel
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues, why an emergency hearing is necessary, and the time needed for each party’s presentation.
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) the 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
The Court requires an executed Plea Form or Admission of Violation of Probation Form before it will accept a plea or admission.
DocumentPlea Form Or Admission Of Violation Of Probation Form
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
The request email must identify the defendant and Volusia County case number, include the out-of-county case numbers and charging documents, include a VOP affidavit for a probation-violation case, and state the county of origin.
In the email you must include the following: 1. Defendant's name and the VOLUSIA COUNTY case number. 2. The OUT-OF-COUNTY case number(s) along with the Charging Document(s). If the case is a Violation of Probation, please include the VOP Affidavit. (** Not all case numbers reflect the county in which the case resides, please include county of origin.)
DocumentEmail
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 102800 CFDB – State v. Smith - 2- Hour Suppression Hearing Requested).
DocumentEmail
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 102800 CFDB – State v. Smith - 2-Hour Suppression Hearing Requested).
DocumentEmail
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
The Court will generally accept written waivers of a Defendant’s appearance at pretrial proceedings unless specified by the Court. Waivers of appearance are not permitted for evidentiary hearings, docket sounding, trials, and violation of probation hearings.
DocumentWaiver Of Appearance
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
(The Defendant must initial each paragraph that pertains to him/her and indicate not applicable [N/A] to those that do not)
DocumentViolation Of Probation Community Control Plea Petition
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The State must electronically submit proposed jury instructions and verdict forms by the day before trial.
No later than the day before trial, the State shall electronically submit to the Court proposed jury instructions and verdict forms.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | J. Trial Procedures
The defense must electronically submit only the jury instructions it seeks to add.
If the defense desires to add jury instructions, it shall electronically submit to the Court only those instructions it seeks to add.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | J. Trial Procedures
For submissions totaling more than 25 pages, paper copies are required and electronic copies are prohibited.
If the submissions exceed 25 pages in total, paper copies must be submitted, and electronic copies are not permitted.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The party scheduling a hearing must file and serve the notice immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served by the party scheduling the hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Hearing time is not reserved until the Judicial Assistant receives the properly filed notice of hearing.
Hearing time is not reserved until the judicial assistant has received the proper filed notice of hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Court must receive all hearing materials at least three business days before the hearing.
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three business days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation 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 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Submit proposed orders within three days after any hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within three days after any hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Trial exhibits must be submitted at least three business days before the hearing or trial.
Trial exhibits must be submitted no later than three business days before the hearing or trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Requests to add a Defendant’s other pending cases to a docket with an unrelated case must be made before noon on the day before the requested court date.
To ensure that the Clerk has adequate time to prepare all needed paperwork, requests to add a Defendant’s other pending cases to a particular docket along with an unrelated case must be made before noon the day preceding the court requested date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
A Daubert challenge to anticipated expert testimony must be raised by motion in limine at least thirty days before trial or it is waived absent good cause.
Any challenge to the admissibility of evidence at trial based on a contention that anticipated expert testimony does not meet the requirements of §90.702, Florida Statutes, and seeking a court ruling in accordance with Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U.S. 579 (1993), must be raised by a motion in limine filed at least thirty (30) days before the trial date. Failure to meet this deadline shall be deemed a waiver, absent good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 6 | I. Setting Case for Trial
The State’s proposed jury instructions and verdict forms are due by the day before trial.
No later than the day before trial, the State shall electronically submit to the Court proposed jury instructions and verdict forms.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | J. Trial Procedures
Motions filed within five days of trial may not be considered when based on matters the movant knew or reasonably should have known at least thirty days before trial, and inability to obtain hearing time is not grounds for a continuance.
Please note that motions filed within five (5) days of the trial date may not be considered if predicated on matters the movant knew or should have known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at least thirty (30) days prior to the trial date. Because of busy court calendars, hearing time may not be available to consider motions filed close to the deadline. The inability of a party to obtain hearing time will not constitute grounds for a continuance of the trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 6 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The party scheduling a hearing must serve the notice immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served by the party scheduling the hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A notice of cancellation must be served immediately 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 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The State must provide the Criminal Punishment Code sentencing scoresheet to the defense.
The State shall provide a Criminal Punishment Code sentencing scoresheet to the defense.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | K. Forms
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Deliver courtesy copies to the Court at least three business days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than three business days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies may be submitted by email, U.S. mail, or hand delivery.
E-mail, U.S. mail, or hand delivery of courtesy copies is acceptable.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A courtesy copy of the notice of hearing should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
A courtesy copy should be sent to tblaha@circuit7.org.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Trial continuance motions must be written, filed before docket sounding, and state the grounds and opposing counsel’s position.
Motions to continue a trial shall be made in writing and filed prior to docket sounding. The motion shall specify the grounds for the motion and whether opposing counsel consents to the continuance.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | J. Trial Procedures
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only for good cause.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
To cancel a hearing, immediately notify the Judicial Assistant.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the Judicial Assistant immediately.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Orders granting substitution of counsel must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at Division52@circuit7.org in MS Word format.
Orders granting substitution of counsel shall be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at Division52@circuit7.org in MS Word format.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
All communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at: tblaha@circuit7.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Emails directed to the judicial office must copy all parties 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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at tblaha@circuit7.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
For a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Volusia, or St. Johns County, the Clerk’s office must be emailed at least 24 hours before the hearing with the county and case number and the charging or VOP affidavit attached.
In order for a Defendant to enter a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Volusia, or St. Johns counties, you must notify the Clerk’s office at cc-courtservices@putnam-fl.gov and the Court’s Judicial Assistant at tblaha@circuit7.org least 24 hours prior to the plea hearing. You must include in your email the county and case number, and you must attach the charging affidavit or the VOP affidavit.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 8 | L. Out of County Pleas
Email the Plea/Sentencing Judge’s Judicial Assistant at least 24 hours in advance to request that the out-of-county case be added to the docket.
Give a minimum of 24-hour notice by email to the Judicial Assistant of the Plea/Sentencing Judge: cbrick@circuit7.org and the Clerk's office 1n Volusia County: Volusiacriminal@clerk.org to request the out-of-county case(s) to be added to the docket.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Out-of-County Plea Requirements
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 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office