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.

About Judge Margaret R. Taylor

The Honorable Margaret R.Taylor --- #### Year appointed to the Bench: 2005 #### Assignments: - County Criminal Division B - Present --- #### Education - Law School: St. Thomas University School of Law Miami, FL - J.D. 1992 - Undergraduate: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL - B.S.B.A., Double Major - Finance and Marketing --- #### Background Prior to taking the bench, Judge Margaret R. Taylor was a Senior Assistant County Attorney with Hillsborough County where she concentrated her practice primarily in the areas of public finance, land use, affordable housing, and commercial transactions. She was counsel for the Hillsborough County Housing Finance Authority, and assisted with the issuance and refinancing of over $300 million in municipal bonds to promote affordable housing. She also advised Hillsborough County with financing matters regarding Raymond James Stadium and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as the St. Pete Times Forum and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Additionally, she advised Hillsborough County on its $3 billion budget, as well as legal issues relating to the issuance of other Hillsborough County municipal bonds and refinancing matters including the bonds used to assist in building the new courthouse and student housing at the University of Tampa. She also advised Hillsborough County on legal issues involving community development districts, community redevelopment, HUD and Section 8 housing, foreclosures and lien enforcement, code enforcement, historical resources, industrial development, and mobile home law. Judge Margaret R. Taylor was formerly board certified by the Florida Bar in City, County, and Local Government Law. Judge Margaret R. Taylor is also a former state prosecutor with Polk and Hillsborough County, and former federal defense attorney practicing in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. --- #### Professional Activities - Board Certified in City, County, and Local Government Law (Formerly) - Middle District of Florida - Florida Bar - Hillsborough County Bar Association

**Criminal Courthouse Annex** - 401 N. Jefferson St., Room #330 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #31 - Judicial Assistant: Anita Salario - Phone: (813) 272-6530 - Email: anita.salario@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Margaret R. Taylor's rules

How may parties contact Judge Margaret R. Taylor's chambers?

An attorney unable to obtain hearing coverage should notify the judicial assistant as soon as possible.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Margaret R. Taylor?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A continuance motion should be written and filed at least 5 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Margaret R. Taylor?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Suppression motions, evidentiary-hearing motions in limine, and motions to exclude must be filed at least 10 days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

What rule applies to serving the opposing party before Judge Margaret R. Taylor?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party, timing: before hearing. Opposing counsel must be served with the specified pretrial motions at least 10 days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B
Complete rules summary for Judge Margaret R. Taylor

All pretrial motions must be written and heard before the pretrial conference.

Suppression motions, evidentiary-hearing motions in limine, and motions to exclude must be filed at least 10 days before the hearing.

Opposing counsel must be served with the specified pretrial motions at least 10 days before the hearing.

Boilerplate motions without a factual basis are prohibited, will be stricken, and do not satisfy the written-motion requirement.

A motion to compel discovery should be filed within 10 days after the discovery production date.

A motion to compel more adequate discovery should be filed within 10 days after incomplete discovery is provided.

Counsel must diligently pursue discovery and promptly notify opposing counsel of outstanding discovery requests.

A continuance motion should be written and filed at least 5 days before trial.

A continuance motion must be in writing.

A continuance motion for an in-custody defendant must be filed at least 48 hours before the court date to cancel jail transport.

Motions may be scheduled for hearing by contacting Judge Taylor's judicial assistant by phone or email.

Opposing counsel must be notified promptly whenever the case status changes.

An attorney unable to obtain hearing coverage should notify the judicial assistant as soon as possible.

Parties should contact the judicial assistant to obtain disposition continuance forms.

An attorney unable to attend a scheduled motion hearing for unforeseen circumstances must call the court and explain.

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