Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

Proposed orders must meet Rule 2.520(d)(2)(A) requirements for font size and type, margins, and blank spacing.

Font size and type, margins, and blank spacing must meet the requirements of Rule 2.520(d)(2)(A), Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration.

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word .docx format.

Proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word .docx format.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Court will accept any documents formatted in Ariel, Times New Roman, Calibri, Verdana, or Helvetica, as long as it is 12- point font or larger, as these meet ADA requirements.

The Court will accept any documents formatted in Ariel, Times New Roman, Calibri, Verdana, or Helvetica, as long as it is 12- point font or larger, as these meet ADA requirements.

CRITICALCivil cases

Orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

All Orders shall be in Microsoft Word format

CRITICALCivil cases

Margins

top 1 in, bottom 1 in, left 1 in, right 1 in

There should be a one-inch margin on all sides which is left blank. Please note, this includes footnotes and page numbering, which shall not intrude into the margin

There should be a one-inch margin on all sides which is left blank. Please note, this includes footnotes and page numbering, which shall not intrude into the margin

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

The proposed order document submitted through this step must be in Word .docx format.

Then click “Choose File” and select the document you want to submit (document must be in Word .docx format).

CRITICAL

Exhibits to be introduced at a hearing must be pre-marked under Administrative Order 5-20.8, and the submitting party must complete the label blanks other than “admitted” and “excluded.”

a. If any exhibits are to be introduced during the hearing, they must be pre- marked as per Administrative Order 5-20.8 and example below. The party submitting the exhibit shall fill in the blanks on the label except “admitted” and “excluded.”

CRITICAL

Proposed orders must comply with the applicable Administrative Order’s formatting and technical requirements; noncompliant orders will be rejected and must be resubmitted.

a. All proposed orders must comply with the formatting and technical requirements listed therein; proposed orders that fail to comply with the requirements of the Administrative Order will be rejected and must be resubmitted.

CRITICAL

The date line and signature block should remain on the same page and appear by themselves on a page.

In addition to the foregoing, the date line and signature block should not appear on different pages. Further, they should not appear together, but on a page alone by themselves.

CRITICAL

Exhibit labels must substantially follow the stated format with fields for case number, party, exhibit number, admission or exclusion, and date.

The exhibit labels shall be in substantially the following format: Case No. __________________________________________ Party ______________________ Exhibit No. ______________ Admitted__________________ Excluded_________________ Date:_____________________________

CRITICAL

The standard judge-only date and signature block specifies a single-space blank line, a left-justified date line indented 12 spaces without a tab, and a right-justified, all-caps signature code without spaces.

Insert single space blank line DONE AND ORDERED in Bartow, Polk County, Florida on DDDD. JJJJ Left justified All caps, no spaces Right Justified 12 spaces/no tab All caps, no spaces

CRITICAL

The relied-on case law must have relevant text, rules of law, or holdings highlighted and in color, and the Motion, Response, and Notice of Hearing must be submitted in hard copy.

A minimum of 10 days prior to the hearing, all parties shall submit their relied upon Case law with relevant text/rule of law/holdings highlighted and in color along with a hardcopy of the Motion, Response and Notice of Hearing.

CRITICAL

The magistrate/hearing officer and judge block specifies left-justified text indented 12 spaces without a tab, right-justified all-caps signature codes without spaces, and a single-space blank line around the order section and judge date line.

Left justified All caps, no spaces 12 spaces/no tab The Magistrate recommends entry of an order consistent with this Report. Dated this RRRR, in Bartow, Polk County, Florida. GGGG Insert single space blank line Right justified All caps, no spaces ORDER OF COURT [ORDER BODY] Insert single space blank line DONE AND ORDERED in Bartow, Polk County, Florida on DDDD. JJJJ Left justified All caps, no spaces Right Justified 12 spaces/no tab All caps, no spaces

CRITICAL

Margins

top 1 in, bottom 1 in, left 1 in, right 1 in

To prevent the date line and signature block from appearing on different pages, the “JJJJ” or “GGGG” should not appear below line 35 or more than 6 ¾ inches from the top margin of a document formatted with 1-inch margins in 12-point type size.

To prevent the date line and signature block from appearing on different pages, the “JJJJ” or “GGGG” should not appear below line 35 or more than 6 ¾ inches from the top margin of a document formatted with 1-inch margins in 12-point type size.

CRITICAL

Before any hearing, documents intended for admission must be pre-marked with exhibit identification information in an evidence-ready form.

Prior to any hearing all documents intended for admission into evidence shall have exhibit identification information pre-marked in a form suitable for receipt into evidence.

CRITICAL

Signatures and signature dates are applied to proposed orders received in the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) via the E-Filing Portal using unique code. Therefore, in lieu of the traditional “DONE AND ORDERED” date line and signature block, proposed orders should include the specialized code instead.

Signatures and signature dates are applied to proposed orders received in the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) via the E-Filing Portal using unique code. Therefore, in lieu of the traditional “DONE AND ORDERED” date line and signature block, proposed orders should include the specialized code instead.

CRITICAL

Court permission must be obtained for a virtual hearing when it is not a non-evidentiary hearing scheduled for less than 30 minutes.

Otherwise, court permission for a virtual hearing must be obtained.

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

Orders submitted under the approved portal exception must be in Word (.docx) format.

With prior approval from the judicial assistant, parties who are unable to submit orders through the e-filing portal may submit the orders in Word (.docx) format to kwitt@jud10.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Evidentiary hearings and hearings scheduled for more than 30 minutes must be in person unless the Court grants a special request for a participant to testify virtually.

Any evidentiary hearing where testimony, exhibits, or other evidence will be provided, or any hearings scheduled for more than 30 minutes MUST be scheduled as in-person hearings, unless the Court has granted a special request for a participant to provide testimony virtually.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Transcripts must be full-page unless the Court authorizes condensed transcripts, and all transcript PDFs must be text searchable.

All transcripts provided or filed with the Court must be in full-page format, unless condensed transcripts are authorized by the Court. The Portable Document Format (“PDF”) file(s) of all transcripts must be text searchable.

CRITICAL

Use the Court’s provided template to prepare the Notice of Hearing.

You must use the Court’s provided template when preparing you notice.

CRITICAL

Telephonic appearances without a camera are prohibited.

Telephonic appearances without a camera are not permitted.

CRITICAL

Pro se petitioners' submissions must be legible or they will be rejected.

PRO SE PETITIONERS: IF YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT LEGIBLE, THEY WILL BE REJECTED.

CRITICAL

Orders must use the format required for the Judge’s signature or they may be rejected.

Orders must have the correct format for the Judge’s signature to apply. Any orders that have been submitted that do not contain the correct format with be rejected. The Tenth Circuit has an Administrative Order regarding the correct formatting.

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

Case law shall be submitted via email in Word format with relevant text/rule of law/holdings highlighted, you call also mail color copies with your hardcopy package.

Case law shall be submitted via email in Word format with relevant text/rule of law/holdings highlighted, you call also mail color copies with your hardcopy package.

CRITICAL

Virtual participants must use an active camera and microphone.

Parties appearing virtually must use an active camera and microphone.

CRITICALCivil cases

For contested or evidentiary matters where the court has granted a virtual appearance, exhibits to be introduced at the hearing must be pre-marked as required by Administrative Order 5-20.8.

This section only applies to those contested and/or evidentiary matters in which the Court has granted a virtual appearance. If the hearing is in-person, please refer to the Court’s General Preferences and Procedures. b. If any exhibits are to be introduced during the virtual hearing, they must be provided to the Court (copying opposing counsel) at least three (3) business days in advance of the hearing and pre-marked as per Administrative Order 5-20.8.

CRITICAL

All proposed orders must comply with the formatting and technical requirements in the referenced Administrative Order.

All proposed orders must comply with the formatting and technical requirements listed therein;

CRITICAL

Exhibits for a virtual hearing must be pre-marked as required by Administrative Order 5-20.8.

If any exhibits are to be introduced during the virtual hearing, they must be provided to the Court (copying opposing counsel) at least three (3) business days in advance of the hearing and pre-marked as per Administrative Order 5-20.8.

CRITICAL

Proposed orders must satisfy the applicable Administrative Order’s formatting and technical requirements; noncompliant orders will be rejected and must be resubmitted.

All proposed orders must comply with the formatting and technical requirements listed therein; proposed orders that fail to comply with the requirements of the Administrative Order will be rejected and must be resubmitted.

CRITICAL

Exhibits to be introduced at a hearing must be pre-marked under Administrative Order 5-20.8, and the submitting party must complete every label blank except “admitted” and “excluded.”

If any exhibits are to be introduced during the hearing, they must be pre-marked as per Administrative Order 5-20.8 and example below. The party submitting the exhibit shall fill in all blanks on the label except “admitted” and “excluded.”

WARNINGCivil cases

If your exhibits are under 25 pages, you may provide them via email. If your exhibits are over 25 pages or contain audio-video evidence, please provide them via hard copy by US mail, express mail, or hand delivery to the Court.

If your exhibits are under 25 pages, you may provide them via email. If your exhibits are over 25 pages or contain audio-video evidence, please provide them via hard copy by US mail, express mail, or hand delivery to the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibits for a virtual hearing must be pre-marked pursuant to Administrative Order 5-20.8.

If any exhibits are to be introduced during the virtual hearing, originals must be provided to the Court (copying opposing counsel) at least three (3) working days in advance of the hearing, and pre-marked pursuant to Administrative Order 5-20.8.

WARNINGCivil cases

Each submitted item should be submitted as a separate attachment with a file name including the case number and a brief description clearly delineating the nature of the item. Example: “00DR000000 Pet. Fin. Aff.”

Each submitted item should be submitted as a separate attachment with a file name including the case number and a brief description clearly delineating the nature of the item. Example: “00DR000000 Pet. Fin. Aff.”

WARNING

The Court will not review hearing evidence before the hearing.

The Court will not review the evidence in advance of the hearing.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Proposed orders that are not properly formatted will be automatically rejected.

Order(s) that are not properly formatted will be automatically rejected by the Court.

WARNING

Proposed orders that are not properly formatted will be automatically rejected.

Order(s) that are not properly formatted will be automatically rejected by the Court.

WARNING

Do not place the Judge’s signature block by itself on a page.

Do not put the Judge’s signature block on a page by itself.

WARNING

Proposed orders mailed to the Court should be held together with a paperclip or binder clip.

The proposed orders that are mailed to the Court should be bound together by either a paperclip or binder clip.

WARNING

Do not staple the cover letter to the original proposed order.

Do not staple the cover letter to the original proposed order.

WARNING

Exhibit labels must be pre-marked in substantially the stated format, and the submitting party must complete every blank except the admitted and excluded fields.

have exhibit identification information pre-marked in a form suitable for receipt into evidence. The exhibit labels may be affixed to the exhibits by sticker or inked stamp, and shall be in substantially the following format: Case No. __________________________________________ Party ______________________ Exhibit No. ______________ Admitted__________________ Excluded_________________ Date: _____________________________ The party submitting the exhibit shall fill in all blanks on the label except “admitted” and “excluded”.

WARNINGCivil cases

Add additional pages when needed to complete the petition.

Add additional pages as needed.

WARNING

The standard Judge-only block uses a single-space blank line, a left-justified date line with 12 spaces and no tab, and a right-justified JJJJ code in all caps with no spaces.

FORMATTING SPECIFICATIONS FOR STANDARD JUDGE-ONLY DATE/SIGNATURE BLOCK Insert single space blank line DONE AND ORDERED in Bartow, Polk County, Florida on DDDD. JJJJ Left justified All caps, no spaces Right Justified 12 spaces/no tab All caps, no spaces

WARNING

Proposed orders should not use tables, styles, or auto-populating fields.

Proposed orders should not be generated using tables, styles, or auto-populating fields.

WARNING

In addition to the foregoing, the date line and signature block should not appear on different pages.

In addition to the foregoing, the date line and signature block should not appear on different pages.

WARNING

Exhibits and attachments should be pre-attached in one .docx document whenever possible, though they may often be added as Word text or an inserted image.

Exhibits and attachments intended to be appended to a proposed order should, whenever possible, be pre-attached, resulting in a single .docx document. In most cases, exhibits and attachments may be added as additional Word text or as an image inserted into the document.

WARNING

The Magistrate/Hearing Officer and Judge block uses the specified left and right justification, spacing, and capitalization for its date and signature codes, with a single-space blank line and an ORDER OF COURT section.

FORMATTING SPECIFICATIONS FOR MAGISTRATE/HEARING OFFICER & JUDGE DATE/SIGNATURE BLOCKS Left justified All caps, no spaces 12 spaces/no tab The Magistrate recommends entry of an order consistent with this Report. Dated this RRRR, in Bartow, Polk County, Florida. GGGG Insert single space blank line Right justified All caps, no spaces ORDER OF COURT [ORDER BODY]

WARNING

Further, they should not appear together, but on a page alone by themselves.

Further, they should not appear together, but on a page alone by themselves.

WARNING

Margins

top 1 in, bottom 1 in, left 1 in, right 1 in

To prevent the date line and signature block from appearing on different pages, the “JJJJ” or “GGGG” should not appear below line 35 or more than 6 ¾ inches from the top margin of a document formatted with 1-inch margins in 12-point type size.

To prevent the date line and signature block from appearing on different pages, the “JJJJ” or “GGGG” should not appear below line 35 or more than 6 ¾ inches from the top margin of a document formatted with 1-inch margins in 12-point type size.

WARNINGCivil cases

Proposed jury instructions should be submitted in Word format.

Said instructions should be in Word format.