Judge Barbara Twine Thomas
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Reference Material
Motion To Modify Probation, Motion To Terminate Probation, Notice Of Hearing
- Hand Delivery
Chambers Copy
Court-wideCourtesy copies
Court-wideCommunication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Document Format Requirements5 rules
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.
Format: All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.
Evidence must be pre-marked with exhibit tags stapled or affixed to the upper-right corner of each exhibit.
Evidence should be brought to court pre-marked with exhibit tags stapled or affixed to each exhibit in the upper right-hand corner.
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk in single-sided paper format.
Format: Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format, single-sided.
Paper
When all parties agree to a proposed order, the order must be titled “STIPULATED.”
If all parties agree to the order, please title the Order “STIPULATED”.
Exhibits must be labeled as “State’s Exhibit 1” or “Defendant’s 1.”
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: State’s Exhibit 1 or Defendant’s 1.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A hearing is required for probation modification or termination, and the moving party must obtain a date and time and file a notice of hearing containing that information.
Motions to Modify Probation/Terminate Probation: The Court does require a hearing on these matters. Therefore, a hearing date and time must be obtained from the Judicial Assistant and a Notice of Hearing, with the assigned date and time must be filed by the moving party.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Exhibit markings should correspond to an exhibit list filed with the clerk before the hearing.
The exhibit marking should track with an exhibit list filed with the Clerk of Court prior to the hearing.
Document Type
Exhibits
All motions must be filed and set for hearing before the pretrial conference.
All motions must be filed and set for hearing prior to the Pretrial conference.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
When both parties agree to a proposed order, it should be submitted through the e-filing portal.
Submission Method: Proposed orders should be submitted through the e-filing portal, if the parties both agree to the proposed order.
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All hearing materials must be received by the court no later than five business days before the hearing.
Submission Deadlines: The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than five business days before the hearing.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The moving party must file and serve a notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served by the moving party, immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after the hearing.
Deadline for Submissions: Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing.
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Unless the court orders otherwise, all exhibits must be brought to the courtroom at the hearing.
Unless otherwise ordered, all exhibits must be brought to the courtroom at the hearing.
Page 6 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The moving party must serve the notice of hearing on the required recipients.
Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served by the moving party, immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
After an agreed hearing cancellation is allowed, the moving attorney must immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
If cancellation is allowed and agreed to by both parties, the moving attorney must then also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court at least five days before the scheduled hearing.
Deadline for Submissions: Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than five (5) days before the scheduled hearing.
Page 5 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference material must be submitted to the court.
When Required: Courtesy copies of case law and any proposed reference material shall be submitted to the court.
Page 5 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
The filer must deliver a copy of the Motion to Modify/Terminate Probation and Notice of Hearing to Division A’s Judicial Assistant by hand, mail, or email.
A copy of the Motion to Modify/Terminate Probation and Notice of Hearing must be hand delivered, mailed or emailed to Division A Judicial Assistant at felonydivisiona@fljud13.org.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy copies must be submitted by email to felonydivisiona@fljud13.org.
Submission Method: E-mail to felonydivisiona@fljud13.org
Page 5 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion to continue must be filed before counsel requests a hearing date.
The Motion to Continue must be filed before requesting a hearing date.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A motion not heard before the pretrial conference is deemed waived and cannot support a continuance of the trial date.
All motions not heard prior to the Pretrial Conference shall be deemed waived and such motions shall not be grounds for a continuance of the Trial date.
Page 7 | Other Procedures Relating to Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Motions to continue pretrial and jury trial dates are generally held every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. by Zoom.
Motions to Continue Pretrial and Jury Trial dates will generally be held every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. via zoom. Motions to Continue must be
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, and all parties must be copied on judicial-office emails unless an authorized ex parte communication applies.
All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless 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.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the listed address 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 felonydivisiona@fljud13.org. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 CF 001234 – State v. Doe – Type of Hearing / 2-Hour Hearing Requested.)
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 whenever the email account registered for electronic service changes.
It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic delivery of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The Judicial Assistant will not answer legal questions or explain matters to the judge; an unrepresented defendant may receive case information, while a represented defendant must have all requests or motions filed and argued by counsel.
The Judicial Assistant cannot answer your legal questions, and will not explain your situation to the judge. Your opportunity to speak to the Judge will be in court only. No information regarding any case will be provided to anyone other than the Defendant, ONLY if they are not being represented by an attorney. If the Defendant is represented by counsel, all requests or motions shall be filed and argued by counsel.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties; parties may contact the judicial office only as permitted by its practices and procedures.
Unsolicited communications from non- parties will not be considered by the court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties must request hearings by e-mail to felonydivisiona@fljud13.org, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate scheduling.
Scheduling Hearings: Hearings must be requested by e-mail at felonydivisiona@fljud13.org copying opposing counsel and any self- represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Counsel seeking a continuance must email the Division A Judicial Assistant to obtain the next available motion date.
Counsel requesting the Motion to Continue shall contact the Division A, Judicial Assistant at felonydivisiona@fljud13.org to obtain the next available motion date.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Before seeking cancellation of a hearing, the attorney must first notify the judicial assistant of the request.
Cancelling Hearings: In instances, when an attorney may be allowed to cancel a hearing, the attorney must first notify the judicial assistant and advise of the request to cancel a hearing.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Judicial Assistant may be contacted by email or phone to obtain a hearing date and time.
You may contact the Judicial Assistant at felonydivisiona@fljud13.org or (813)272-6874 to obtain a hearing date and time.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures