Court Rules
Judge

Judge Joseph LeDonne

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Volusia, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

  • No Later Than Three Business Days Before Any Evidentiary Proceeding

Communication

Email

Chambers

abernal@circuit7.org
Scheduling
Email

Chambers

division70@circuit7.org
Email

Clerk

volusiacriminal@clerk.org
Filters:

Document Format Requirements4 rules

Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

If the submissions exceed 25 pages in total, paper copies must be submitted, and electronic copies are not permitted.

Applies When:Page Threshold > 25
DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 3|SecCourtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

Submission Method: 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.

Required Format

Paper

DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 3|SecExhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important

All proposed orders should be emailed to Division70@circuit7.org in an editable format such as Microsoft Word.

DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 3|SecSubmission of Orders
Formatting

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?

PDF or Word document is preferred, if submitted electronically.

DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 3|SecCourtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Document Filing Requirements6 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

A notice of hearing must identify the case and case number, hearing date, time and location, matters to be heard and their docket numbers or filing dates, presiding judge, and time reserved.

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.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

Content & Formatting
Case Number
DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 1|SecScheduling Procedures
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 2|SecScheduling Procedures
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Zoom meeting information.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 2|SecScheduling Procedures
Filing Requirements

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) the reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.

DocumentMotion

DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 3|SecEmergency and Other Urgent Matters
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

All pleas to criminal charges and violations of probation, including traffic offenses, require a fully executed plea form.

DocumentPlea Form

DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 4|SecWritten Plea Forms
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

You must include in your email the county and case number, and you must attach the charging affidavit or the VOP affidavit.

DocumentOut Of County Plea Notice

DIVISION-70-PROCEDURES-AND-GUIDELINES · p. 4|SecOut of County Pleas

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Electronic courtesy-copy submissions are prohibited when the submissions exceed 25 pages total.

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 3 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

The defendant is informed that an appeal must be taken within 30 days from the date of sentencing.

I have been told and understand that I have 30 (thirty) days from the date of this sentence to appeal the judgment or sentence.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 2 | PLEA FORM: VIOLATION OF PROBATION

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 3 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Service and Proof of Service Rules

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 1 | Scheduling Procedures

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court at least three business days before an evidentiary proceeding.

Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than three business days before any evidentiary proceeding.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 3 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Courtesy copies of case law may be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.

Courtesy copies of case law may be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 3 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Courtesy copies may be delivered by email, U.S. mail, or hand delivery.

E-mail, U.S. mail, or hand delivery of courtesy copies is acceptable.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 3 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Chambers Communication Rules

For a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Putnam, or St. Johns counties, the Clerk’s office and the Court’s Judicial Assistant must be notified by email at least 24 hours before the plea hearing.

In order for a Defendant to enter a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Putnam, or St. Johns counties, you must notify the Clerk’s office at VolusiaCriminal@clerk.org and the Court’s Judicial Assistant at abernal@circuit7.org least 24 hours prior to the plea hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 4 | Out of County Pleas

Hearings must be scheduled with the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.

All hearings must be scheduled with the Court’s Judicial Assistant, Angela Bernal email at abernal@circuit7.org.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures

Those scheduling a hearing must make reasonable efforts to coordinate its date and time with the other side, or the Court may cancel the hearing without further notice.

Counsel and parties attempting to schedule a hearing must make reasonable efforts to coordinate the hearing date and time with the other side. Failure to do so may result in the Court cancelling the hearing without further notice.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures

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 | Communication with the Judicial Office

Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant and include the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at: abernal@circuit7.org. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office

Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless an ex parte communication is authorized 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 1 | Communication with the Judicial Office

Proposed orders should be emailed to the specified address in an editable format such as Microsoft Word.

All proposed orders should be emailed to Division70@circuit7.org in an editable format such as Microsoft Word.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 3 | Submission of Orders

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 10 rules apply across Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Volusia, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Service

All 7

  • A motion regarding parenting issues must be served on the other parent according to the applicable procedural rules.

  • Self-represented parties must simultaneously send copies of pleadings to the other self-represented party or the other party's lawyer.

  • Self-represented parties must immediately notify the Clerk and all other lawyers or parties in writing of changes to their mailing address, telephone number, or email address.

Adjournments

All 1

  • Judges must apply firm continuance policies and allow continuances only for good cause.

Pre-Motion Conferences

All 1

  • Before filing a motion, the parties must discuss its issues by email, phone, or text unless discussion would threaten the children's safety.

E-Filing

All 1

  • Self-represented parties must file pleadings with the Clerk in person or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

View all Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Volusia, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns rules
Common questions about Judge Joseph LeDonne's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Joseph LeDonne?

Details: delivery no later than three business days before any evidentiary proceeding. Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court at least three business days before an evidentiary proceeding.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Joseph LeDonne?

Judge Joseph LeDonne's formatting rule includes file format paper and provide exhibits to the clerk in advance of the hearing or trial for marking.. Exhibits for evidentiary hearings or trial must be provided to the clerk on paper in advance for marking.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Joseph LeDonne?

The rule requires case number. A notice of hearing must identify the case and case number, hearing date, time and location, matters to be heard and their docket numbers or filing dates, presiding judge, and time reserved.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Scheduling Procedures

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Joseph LeDonne?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A party seeking an emergency hearing on a factual basis must file a detailed motion stating the issues, why an emergency hearing is necessary, and the time needed for each party’s presentation.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Emergency and Other Urgent Matters

How may parties contact Judge Joseph LeDonne's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Joseph LeDonne's clerk. The rule lists email VolusiaCriminal@clerk.org. For a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Putnam, or St. Johns counties, the Clerk’s office and the Court’s Judicial Assistant must be notified by email at least 24 hours before the plea hearing.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Out of County Pleas

Is electronic filing required before Judge Joseph LeDonne?

No. Electronic filing is prohibited for the covered filings. Electronic courtesy-copy submissions are prohibited when the submissions exceed 25 pages total.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

What filing deadlines does Judge Joseph LeDonne set?

The defendant is informed that an appeal must be taken within 30 days from the date of sentencing.

View ruleSource: page 2, section PLEA FORM: VIOLATION OF PROBATION

What rule applies to service for notice of hearing before Judge Joseph LeDonne?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. The party scheduling a hearing must file and serve the notice immediately after reserving hearing time.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Scheduling Procedures
Complete rules summary for Judge Joseph LeDonne

The defendant is informed that an appeal must be taken within 30 days from the date of sentencing.

Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant and include the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.

Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.

The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.

Hearings must be scheduled with the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.

Those scheduling a hearing must make reasonable efforts to coordinate its date and time with the other side, or the Court may cancel the hearing without further notice.

The party scheduling a hearing must file and serve the notice immediately after reserving hearing time.

A notice of hearing must identify the case and case number, hearing date, time and location, matters to be heard and their docket numbers or filing dates, presiding judge, and time reserved.

A notice of hearing involving a remote appearance must list the Zoom meeting information.

Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

Proposed orders should be emailed to the specified address in an editable format such as Microsoft Word.

Proposed orders should be submitted in an editable format, such as Microsoft Word.

Courtesy copies of case law may be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.

PDF or Word format is preferred for electronically submitted courtesy copies.

Courtesy copies may be delivered by email, U.S. mail, or hand delivery.

When courtesy-copy submissions exceed 25 pages total, paper copies are required and electronic copies are prohibited.

Electronic courtesy-copy submissions are prohibited when the submissions exceed 25 pages total.

Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court at least three business days before an evidentiary proceeding.

A party seeking an emergency hearing on a factual basis must file a detailed motion stating the issues, why an emergency hearing is necessary, and the time needed for each party’s presentation.

Exhibits for evidentiary hearings or trial must be provided to the clerk on paper in advance for marking.

Trial exhibits must be submitted at least three business days before the hearing or trial.

A fully executed plea form is required for pleas to criminal charges and violations of probation, including traffic offenses.

For a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Putnam, or St. Johns counties, the Clerk’s office and the Court’s Judicial Assistant must be notified by email at least 24 hours before the plea hearing.

The out-of-county plea notice email must identify the county and case number and attach the charging affidavit or VOP affidavit.

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