Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 721 rules apply across Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 259
  • Applies to
    Waiver of jury trial

    A defendant electing a non-jury trial must personally sign and file a Waiver of Jury Trial form with the court.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases form

    A petitioner must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form, using Form 12.900(h), when related cases are pending and known or reasonably ascertainable, except in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases

    Petitioners in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form using Form 12.900(h), even when no related cases exist.

Filing Timing

All 122

  • All motions and notices of hearing must be filed by noon on the business day before the hearing.

  • An attorney of record may not withdraw unless a motion to withdraw is filed, heard, and granted at least 30 days before trial.

  • Deadline
    10 calendar days

    An objection to referral must be filed within 10 days of service of the order of referral.

Service

All 91
  • Deadline
    2 business days
    Applies to
    Case law
    Service
    Electronic service to court

    A party using case law in support of or opposition to a filed motion must provide an electronic copy of the case law, the notice of hearing, and the motion to the presiding judge's office and opposing counsel or party at least two business days before the hearing.

  • Service
    Court service to all parties

    After obtaining a hearing time, the clerk must notify all necessary parties.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Service
    Email

    The clerk must email motions filed by self-represented defendants to the presiding judge and judicial assistant.

E-Filing

All 68
  • Applies to
    Probable cause application

    Law enforcement agency attorneys must submit the probable-cause application by email to the County Criminal Division C judicial assistant for filing in the Clerk's Administrative File.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    The law enforcement agency attorney must submit the proposed order through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal using the assigned Clerk's Administrative File number.

  • Applies to
    Motion

    Except for Motions for Discharge and Motions for Speedy Trial, an attorney must e-file a motion for hearing simultaneously with a Notice of Hearing after coordinating the hearing time with the opposing attorney or party.

More categories

View all Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County rules
About Judge Lawrence M. Lefler

**Criminal Courthouse Annex** - 401 N. Jefferson Street., Room #226 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #14 - Judicial Assistant: Maya DelConte - Phone: (813) 272-5450

Common questions about Judge Lawrence M. Lefler's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Lawrence M. Lefler?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for case laws and proposed reference materials. Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be submitted to the court so they can be reviewed before the hearing.

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

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Lawrence M. Lefler?

Judge Lawrence M. Lefler's formatting rule includes file format PDF. All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.

View ruleSource: page 3, section C. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Lawrence M. Lefler?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Lawrence M. Lefler?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. When the parties dispute a proposed order, it must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying their disagreement.

View ruleSource: page 3, section C. Submission of Orders and Judgments

How may parties contact Judge Lawrence M. Lefler's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Lawrence M. Lefler's chambers. The rule lists email maya.delconte@fljud13.org and phone 813-272-5450. Communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email, although the Judicial Assistant may also be contacted by phone.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Lawrence M. Lefler?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. When the court finds an emergency, it unilaterally schedules the hearing and all parties must be available unless exigent circumstances exist.

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

Is electronic filing required before Judge Lawrence M. Lefler?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Orders must be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.

View ruleSource: page 3, section C. Submission of Orders and Judgments

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Lawrence M. Lefler?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. All motions must be filed and heard before the pretrial conference unless the court determines good cause; otherwise, the motion will be considered abandoned.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What rule applies to service by email for all parties before Judge Lawrence M. Lefler?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by email, recipient: all parties. All parties must be copied on emails sent to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Complete rules summary for Judge Lawrence M. Lefler

Communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email, although the Judicial Assistant may also be contacted by phone.

All parties must be copied on emails sent to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.

The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties may contact the judicial office only as directed by the court’s practices and procedures.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 whenever their registered email account changes.

Parties must email the Judicial Assistant before scheduling a hearing on the criminal division docket.

Before scheduling a hearing on the docket, parties must email the Judicial Assistant and copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

All motions must be filed and heard before the pretrial conference unless the court determines good cause; otherwise, the motion will be considered abandoned.

Motions set for hearing on the day of trial without court permission are struck, and no oral motions will be heard on the trial day.

The moving party must file and serve a notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.

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

All hearing materials must be received by the court no later than three business days before the hearing.

All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.

A stipulated proposed order must identify its stipulated status in the title or body.

When the parties dispute a proposed order, it must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying their disagreement.

Orders must be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.

For a disputed order, each party must email a marked-up Word version of its proposed order to the Judicial Assistant.

Proposed orders must be submitted within five business days after the hearing.

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be submitted to the court so they can be reviewed before the hearing.

Required courtesy copies of case law and reference materials must be emailed to maya.delconte@fljud13.org.

Courtesy copies must be delivered no later than three days before the scheduled hearing.

A request for an emergency hearing must be made by a detailed motion stating the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party's presentation.

When the court finds an emergency, it unilaterally schedules the hearing and all parties must be available unless exigent circumstances exist.

Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk in single-sided paper format.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and every party.

All exhibits must be received in chambers three business days before the evidentiary proceeding.

ADA accommodations may be requested from the ADA Coordinator by email or telephone.

Interpreter services may be requested by email or through the court's online request form.

The Probation Officer must be notified before filing a motion to terminate or modify probation.

A probation motion must be prepared using the required termination or modification form and filed with the Clerk of Court.

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