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 Lindsay M. Alvarez

The Honorable Lisa A. Allen --- Elected to the Bench: November 2018 Hillsborough County Court Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit, Tampa, Florida(Jan 2019 – Present) - County Civil, Division M (Jan 2022-present) - Circuit Civil, Domestic Violence Protective Injunctions, Division K (Jan 2019-Dec 2021) - County Civil, Division S (Jan 2019-Dec 2021) #### Education University of Florida, College of Law, Gainesville, Florida - Juris Doctor (2000) - Board of Masters, University of Florida Student Honor Court (2000) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, withHigh Honors(1996) - Major: Business Management; Minor: Economics - Business Law Teaching Assistant (1995-1996) #### Legal Experience Ansa Assuncao, LLP, Tampa, Florida - Of Counsel practicing in the areas of commercial, real estate, construction, transportation, insurance and business litigation as well as commercial real estate and leasing, corporate formation, property management agreements, brokerage agreements, contract negotiation, employment agreements, loan and security documents and corporate transactions. Allen Law & Mediation, PA, Tampa, Florida - Shareholder practicing in the areas of commercial real estate, leasing and corporate transactions as well as general commercial, probate and business litigation matters representing corporations, partnerships, developers, landlords, creditors, estates and individuals, in state as well as federal district courts. Federal Law Clerk, Tampa, Florida - Career law clerk for the Honorable James S. Moody, Jr., United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida. Responsible for reading all relevant pleadings, researching issues of law, drafting opinions and bench briefs, attending trials and other court proceedings as well as acting as an advisor and making recommendations based on applicable law and the pertinent facts of each case to Judge Moody. The types of cases presented were complex and varied (e.g. labor and employment matters, restrictive covenants, confidential and non-disclosure agreements, qui tam and whistleblower actions, copyright, trademark, intellectual property and patent cases, maritime disputes, multi-state jurisdictional actions, class actions, civil rights, constitutional rights, insurance coverage, prisoner appeals, bankruptcy appeals, adversary appeals, tax appeals, social security appeals, narcotics, RICO, money laundering, sex trafficking and similar federal criminal issues). GrayRobinson, P.A., Tampa, Florida - Associate attorney practicing in the area of commercial litigation with a focus on banking law, defending financial institutions pursuant to contractual defenses or UCC defenses, regarding consumer protections laws under the FDCPA, TILA, FDUTPA, ECOA, TCPA, and FCRA, banking compliance issues, unauthorized transactions, fraud, white collar crime, securities litigation, and the recovery of special assets. Experience includes general civil litigation representing financial institutions, corporations, insurance companies, partnerships, developers, individuals, transportation companies, Tampa Port Authority, and the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, in state as well as federal district and bankruptcy courts. Cohn, Cohn & Hendrix, P.A., Tampa, Florida - Associate attorney practicing in the area of commercial litigation with a focus on banking law, commercial and residential foreclosures, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, commercial evictions, leases, landlord tenant disputes, unfair trade practices, and consumer and commercial collections. Experience includes general civil litigation in state and federal courts; drafting and filing complaints, motions, memorandums of law, and general discovery requests; and participating in mediations, arbitrations, hearings, pre-trial, trial and appellate matters. #### Bar Admissions - Florida (2001) - Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida (2001) #### Professional Associations/Activities (Legal) - The Florida Bar (2021-present) - Hillsborough County Bar Association (2021-present) - Master Member of the Cheatwood Inn of Court (2019-present) - Committee Member, Florida Standard Jury Instructions Contracts and Business Cases Committee (2021-present) - Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, Board of Directors, Treasurer (2022-present) - Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, Education and Civil Rules Committees (2019-present) - Panel Speaker for the HCBA Annual Environmental and Land Use Conference (2021) - Volunteer Speaker for Law Week Tours at the Courthouse (2020) - Panel Speaker for Civil Court Judiciary at HCBA Bench Bar Conference (2019) - Hillsborough County Bar Association, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (2017-present) - The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section, Member (2015-2018) - Volunteer Attorney Speaker for the Florida Bar Speakers Bureau (2018) - Hillsborough County Bar Association, Community Services Committee (2013-2015) - Hillsborough County Bar Association, Professionalism & Ethics Committee and Solo & Small Firm Section (2015-2016) - Bay Area Legal Services, Wills For Heroes Pro Bono Project Volunteer (2015, 2018) - Hillsborough County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division – Board of Directors and Chairman of the Member Services Committee (2003-2007) - Editor of THE YLD Young Lawyer newsletter (2004-2005) - Pupil Member of the William Terrell Inn of Court (2002-2005) - Named one of the Top 30 Under 30 Young Professionals in the Tampa Bay Area by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2004 - Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association (2001-2006) - Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Local and State Issues Committee Member (2004-2005) - Hillsborough County Association of Women Lawyers, Community Affairs Committee (2004-2006)

**Criminal Courthouse Annex** - 401 North Jefferson Street., Room #506 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #54S - Judicial Assistant: Tracy Lugo - Phone: (813) 272-0242 - Email: tracy.lugo@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez?

Details: delivery upon filing, by email. One copy of a bond-reduction motion must be emailed to the Division F Judicial Assistant for the court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences Circuit Criminal, Division F

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez?

Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez's formatting rule includes times new roman font, 12 point type and word format. The proposed jury instructions must be formatted in Word using Times New Roman 12-point font.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences Circuit Criminal, Division F

What must be included with fingerprint record filings before Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The fingerprint record must include the law enforcement employee's certification that the fingerprints belong to the defendant.

View ruleSource: page 1, section FINGERPRINTS OF DEFENDANT

What must be included with bond motion order filings before Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez?

The rule requires proposed order. Defense counsel must prepare an order reflecting the court's bond ruling and upload it to E-Portal for signature.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences Circuit Criminal, Division F

How may parties contact Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez's chambers. The rule lists email felonydivf@fljud13.org. Counsel seeking an in-court bond-motion hearing must first file the motion and then email the Division F Judicial Assistant to request a hearing date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences Circuit Criminal, Division F

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include emergency nature. The court will not consider a continuance motion at the pretrial conference absent unforeseen circumstances.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences Circuit Criminal, Division F

Is electronic filing required before Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Defense counsel must electronically upload the proposed bond-motion order to E-Portal for the court's signature.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences Circuit Criminal, Division F

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. A motion for substitution of counsel must be filed and heard at least seven days before the pretrial conference if counsel wishes to withdraw or substitute.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences Circuit Criminal, Division F

What rule applies to service for bond motion response before Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by email, recipient: the court, timing: 24 hours after filing. After a bond-reduction motion reaches the Judicial Assistant, the State must file its written response and email copies to the court and opposing counsel within 24 hours.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences Circuit Criminal, Division F
Complete rules summary for Judge Lindsay M. Alvarez

The fingerprint record must include the law enforcement employee's certification that the fingerprints belong to the defendant.

The law enforcement employee taking the defendant's fingerprints must complete the designated section.

The fingerprint record must identify the employee taking the fingerprints, the agency, the PersID number, and the employee's printed name.

The person verifying must provide a photo ID type or booking number, verified visually by photo.

A motion for substitution of counsel must be filed and heard at least seven days before the pretrial conference if counsel wishes to withdraw or substitute.

The court will not consider a continuance motion at the pretrial conference absent unforeseen circumstances.

The court may decide a written bond-reduction motion without a hearing or supporting evidence, and the motion may be filed with the clerk and emailed to opposing counsel.

One copy of a bond-reduction motion must be emailed to the Division F Judicial Assistant for the court.

After a bond-reduction motion reaches the Judicial Assistant, the State must file its written response and email copies to the court and opposing counsel within 24 hours.

The court will communicate its ruling on a bond motion by email to all parties.

Defense counsel must prepare an order reflecting the court's bond ruling and upload it to E-Portal for signature.

Defense counsel must electronically upload the proposed bond-motion order to E-Portal for the court's signature.

The State must approve every order before it is submitted to the court for signature.

Counsel seeking an in-court bond-motion hearing must first file the motion and then email the Division F Judicial Assistant to request a hearing date.

All required change-of-plea forms must be filed with the clerk before counsel obtains a hearing date from the Judicial Assistant.

A Zoom change of plea requires a waiver of physical presence, plea form, DNA form, and an out-of-custody fingerprint card.

For VOP cases, the felony plea form and DNA form are unnecessary, but a waiver of physical appearance is required.

After discussing every form with the defendant and obtaining permission to sign when necessary, defense counsel must file the forms with the Circuit Court Clerk.

Each required form must be uploaded as a separate E-Portal document, and each case number requires its own separate filing of every required form.

Every motion must be filed and heard before the pretrial conference; an unheard motion will be deemed waived and will not support a continuance.

The non-moving party must file a written response to every contested motion at least seven days before the hearing.

The written opposition must identify all lenient case law the non-moving party intends to rely upon.

A motion must be filed with the court before counsel asks the Judicial Assistant for a hearing date.

After filing a motion, counsel must email the Judicial Assistant with a copy of the motion, case number, and case name to request potential hearing dates.

A hearing-date request email must include a copy of the motion, the case number, and the case name.

After the parties agree on a hearing date, counsel must notify the Judicial Assistant by email.

The requesting party must file a Notice of Hearing and send copies to opposing counsel and the court.

The Division F Zoom link must appear in the requesting party's Notice of Hearing.

Counsel must file a Notice of Filing with any evidentiary exhibits, and each exhibit must be sequentially numbered without alphabetic identifiers.

A motion requesting appointment of a forensic competency evaluator must be filed with the clerk and then emailed with a copy to the Judicial Assistant.

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