Judge Donna Marie Padar
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
Notice Of Hearing, Motion, Case Law, Supporting Documents
- At Least Three Business Days Before Hearing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
State to use numbers; Defense to use letters.
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
All motions for continuance shall be in writing and signed by the attorney as well as the party (the Defendant, if a defense motion) unless good cause is shown.
DocumentMotion To Continue
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Motions to continue must address the factors set forth in Fla.R.Jud.Admin 2.545(e).
DocumentMotion To Continue
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
A downward-departure request must be written and state its legal authority, supporting case authority, and a brief factual basis.
Requests for a downward departure from the criminal punishment code scoresheet presumptive sentence shall be in writing stating the legal authority for the proposed departure, i.e. the rule or statute, as well as supporting case authority and a brief factual basis to support the departure request.
DocumentDeparture Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Any emergency motion must include a certificate of good faith that states the movant has contacted opposing counsel and his/her position on the relief sought.
DocumentEmergency Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
If signed stipulation is received and signed by the Judge, all parties would be released from appearing for Court.
DocumentCase Management Stipulation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
The parties must confer and prepare a proposed restitution order or judgment stating the amount, payment method, minimum monthly payment, and payment start date.
Parties shall confer and have a proposed restitution Order/Judgment prepared for the Court. It should include, but not be limited to, the amount, how payments are to be made, i.e. monthly payment, as a condition of probation, or through the Manatee County Clerk of Court Department of Financial Recovery and include a minimum monthly payment as well as when the payment is to begin.
DocumentRestitution Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
The stipulation must be filled out and contain the defendant’s signature by the star symbol.
DocumentStipulation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
In document intensive cases the Court requires the parties to confer with the Clerk of Court prior to trial and present the Clerk with an exhibit list as well as the exhibits.
DocumentTrial Exhibits
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
All requests for continuance shall include: the grounds/reasons for the requested continuance, a Certificate of Good Faith; be signed by the party (the Defendant), indicate whether the Defendant is in local or DOC custody, the date the information/indictment was filed, the charge, the number of previous continuances, waiver of speedy trial, who requested the previous continuance and all efforts made to move the case and resolve discovery issues.
Summary: A continuance request must state its grounds, include a Certificate of Good Faith, be signed by the defendant, and provide the listed custody, case, prior-continuance, speedy-trial, and case-resolution information.
DocumentMotion To Continue
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
No memorandum is required for sentencing hearings.
DocumentPre Hearing Conference Memorandum
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The listed stipulations and proposed orders, restitution and transport orders, JAC filings, and timely Zoom-appearance requests and orders may be sent by email.
The following may be sent by email: All stipulations with separate proposed orders, including stipulation for substitution of counsel, credit for time, probation, SPR, etc.; also orders for restitution, order to transport defendant, JAC filings (to include motion, correspondence between attorney and JAC with order), and timely received motion requests for zoom appearance and orders.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
After a hearing, attorneys may bring orders to Court or submit them electronically through the e-portal or by email to the Felony2 Division.
Attorneys are welcome to bring orders to Court or may submit to the Court electronically through e-portal or by email to Felony2 Division email following a hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Motions to terminate or modify community control or probation must be filed with the Clerk of Court.
All motions to terminate or modify community control or probation must be filed with the Clerk of Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Modify or Terminate Community Control or Probation
When reserved hearing time is no longer needed, counsel must promptly e-file a Notice of Cancellation and notify all parties after cancelling through JACS.
As soon as the scheduling attorney/assistant is aware that the time reserved is no longer needed, Counsel shall promptly e-file a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk of Court and notice all parties after they have cancelled through JACS.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
A motion to continue must be timely filed and scheduled through JACS.
A motion to continue shall be timely filed and be calendared through JACS.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Continue
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The listed post-judgment or plea-related motions must be filed with the Clerk and simultaneously copied to the judge’s office.
All Motions for Rehearing, Reconsideration, Arrest of Judgment, New Trial and/or Motion to Withdraw Plea must be filed with the Clerk of Court and a copy must be simultaneously provided to the judge’s office.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions for Rehearing, Reconsideration, Arrest of Judgment, New Trial, and/or Motion to Withdraw Plea
Cases or inmates must be added to a docket by 11:30 a.m. to allow preparation of the Court Appearance Record and, for an in-custody defendant, advance transport notice.
There is a 11:30 a.m. deadline for adding cases or inmates to a docket to ensure the Clerk has a Court Appearance Record and if the defendant is in custody to allow transport advanced notice.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Add-On Cases
At least three days before a hearing, the scheduling attorney must deliver paper copies of the hearing notice, motion, and relevant supporting documents, and both parties must deliver supporting case law; email submissions are not accepted without Court approval.
The scheduling attorney must submit a paper copy of the notice of hearing, the motion to be heard, and any relevant supporting documents to which the parties may refer during the hearing by hand-delivery or mail at least three days prior to the hearing. Both parties shall submit any supporting case law at least three days prior to the hearing by mail or hand delivery. The Court does not accept email submission of documents absent Court approval.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
A departure request must be noticed five days before the hearing.
Departure requests shall be noticed five days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Departure Requests
For an exhibit in a different form or format from the discovery version, counsel must deliver an exact copy to opposing counsel at least five business days before trial and identify where the exhibit’s information appears in discovery.
If either side is going to use an exhibit that is in a different form/format than has been prepared and submitted with discovery the Court requires an exact copy of the exhibit to be delivered to opposing counsel no less than five (5) business days before trial. Counsel shall disclose to opposing counsel where in the discovery the information contained in the newly formatted exhibit can be found.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
A request to redact any portion of an exhibit must be made to opposing counsel at least five business days before trial.
If any party requests that any portion of an exhibit, i.e., recordings, cell phone records, text messages, email messages, transcripts, etc., be redacted, the request for redaction shall be made to opposing counsel no less than five (5) business days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings — Redaction of Exhibits
The negotiated-plea cutoff is 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of docket-sounding week; later pleas are open pleas to the Court and require a sentencing hearing.
The negotiated plea cut-off date for all cases on a trial docket is the Friday at 5:00 pm of the docket sounding week – all pleas taken after that time will be straight-up pleas to the Court and require a sentencing hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Plea Cut-off Date
Counsel must confer and submit proposed jury instructions by email to the Judicial Assistant by noon on the first day of trial.
Counsel shall confer and proposed jury instructions shall be submitted to the Court via email to the Judicial Assistant by 12:00 noon on the first day of trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Jury Instructions
Each party must email its Pre-Hearing Conference Memorandum to the Court and opposing party and file a copy with the Clerk at least two business days before the conference.
At least two business days prior to the pre-hearing conference, each party shall submit a Pre-Hearing Conference Memorandum to the Court via the Felony 2 email at Felony2@Jud12.FlCourts.org and the opposing party and file a copy with the Clerk.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Submission of Pre-Hearing Conference Memorandum for Extended Hearings Other than Sentencing Hearings
Paper copies of motions, hearing documents, case law, and proposed orders must be hand-delivered or mailed to the judge’s office, and hearing materials must arrive at least three business days before the proceeding.
Paper copies of motions, hearing documents, case law and proposed orders must be hand-delivered or mailed to the judge’s office in a timely manner; for hearings, submit items at least three business days prior to the court proceeding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
Signed stipulations may be submitted by noon on Friday or three business days before the scheduled Case Management hearing.
Signed Stipulations may be submitted to the Court by noon the Friday or (3) business days prior to the scheduled Case Management.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences
File a motion before requesting or reserving hearing time on JACS.
All motions must be filed prior to requesting or reserving hearing time on JACS.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
After the negotiated-plea cutoff, pleas are open pleas requiring a sentencing hearing and, when requested and applicable, a presentence investigation, unless charges are significantly amended or the Court extends the cutoff for extenuating circumstances.
Thereafter all pleas will be open pleas and require a sentencing hearing and pre-sentence investigation report (if requested and if applicable) unless the charge(s) are amended in some significant manner, or the Court has extended the negotiated plea cut-off date due to extenuating circumstances.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Plea Cut-off Date
A departure request may be filed at sentencing if the State already knows of the request and no continuance is needed to secure rebuttal witnesses.
It is, however, acceptable to file at the time of sentencing if the State is previously aware of the request and eliminates the need to file a motion to continue to secure witnesses to rebut any facts necessary to support the departure.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Departure Requests
The State must submit case law to the Court and opposing counsel at least three days before the hearing.
They are, however, required to submit case law to the Court and opposing counsel at least three (3) days before the hearing in conformance with the court’s general requirements.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Departure Requests
JACS dockets close one week before the hearing, after which no additional changes may be made through JACS.
JACS dockets are closed one week prior to the hearing date. After a docket is closed, no additional changes can be made using JACS.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — JACS Dockets & Trial Dockets
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Counsel must deliver courtesy paper copies of all hearing documents by regular mail, overnight service, or hand delivery at least three business days before the hearing.
Counsel must provide via regular mail, overnight services, or hand-delivery courtesy paper copies of all hearing documents (notices of hearing, motions, case law, and other supporting documents) at least three business days prior to the hearing to allow sufficient time for judicial review.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
The parties must provide opposing counsel and the Court courtesy paper copies of the exhibit list and marked exhibits.
Additionally, the Court requires the parties to provide courtesy paper copies of the exhibit list and marked exhibits to opposing counsel, as well as the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before filing an emergency motion, the moving attorney must confer in good faith with opposing counsel to try to resolve the issue.
The moving attorney is required to confer with opposing counsel in a good faith effort to resolve the issue prior to filing an emergency motion.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
Parties are not automatically entitled to a hearing on a motion to modify or terminate supervision and may not schedule one without prior Court approval.
Parties are not automatically entitled to a hearing on a motion to modify or terminate supervision and shall not set a hearing without prior court approval.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Modify or Terminate Community Control or Probation
No oral or written motions, including motions to continue, will be heard at docket sounding.
No motions of any kind (oral or written), including motions to continue, will be heard at docket sounding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Docket Sounding
A scheduled motion may not be replaced by another motion after cancellation or resolution without prior approval from opposing counsel and the Court.
Once a motion is scheduled another motion shall not be substituted in the event the original motion is cancelled or resolved absent prior approval by opposing counsel and the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Counsel must comply with trial deadlines and have motions heard before trial; contact the Judicial Assistant if JACS has no hearing time available.
Counsel must comply with trial deadlines and have motions heard prior to trial. Contact the JA if hearing time is unavailable on JACS.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Docket Sounding
After a motion is scheduled, another motion may not be added or cross-noticed without prior approval from opposing counsel and the Court.
Once a motion is scheduled subsequent motions may not be added or cross-noticed without prior approval by opposing counsel and the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Unless the Court directs otherwise, attorneys and litigants must attend a five-to-ten-minute pre-hearing conference in person or by Zoom, generally one week before the hearing.
Unless otherwise indicated by the Court, attorneys and litigants are required to appear in person or by Zoom for a mandatory 5- to 10-minute pre-hearing conference, generally scheduled one week before the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Mandatory Pre-Hearing Conference
If the parties cannot stipulate to an exhibit redaction, a motion must be filed and scheduled for hearing before trial.
If the parties cannot stipulate to the redaction a motion must be filed and scheduled for hearing prior to trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings — Redaction of Exhibits
A case may not be added to the docket without express consent from opposing counsel and the Court.
Cases may not be added on without the express consent of opposing counsel and the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Add-On Cases
Hearings are limited to the reserved time, opposing parties receive equal time, and the scheduling party must confer with opposing counsel about total hearing time.
All hearings are limited to the time reserved. The party opposing the motion is entitled to equal time; therefore, the party reserving and scheduling the hearing must confer with opposing counsel and agree regarding the total amount of time required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Do not schedule the listed motions for hearing on JACS.
Do not set for hearing on JACS.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions for Rehearing, Reconsideration, Arrest of Judgment, New Trial, and/or Motion to Withdraw Plea
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Oral motions to continue are prohibited.
Oral motions to continue are not permitted at any time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Continue
A pending motion to continue is deemed waived if the attorney fails to schedule a hearing.
If the attorney fails to schedule a hearing the pending motion for continuance shall be deemed waived.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Continue
The Court will not consider a stipulation to continue unless a motion to continue has been filed.
Stipulations to continue will not be considered without a filed motion to continue.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Continue
Even when all parties agree to a continuance, a motion must still be filed.
If there is an agreement by all parties to a continuance, a motion must still be filed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Continue
After a trial date is stipulated to or set by the Court, continuances are rarely granted absent an unforeseen circumstance or emergency.
Once a trial date is stipulated to and/or set by the Court, absent an unforeseen circumstance or emergency, the Court will rarely grant a continuance.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Continue
Witnesses and defendants may not be excused until the Court rules on a motion or stipulation for continuance.
No witnesses or defendant(s) shall be excused until such time as the Court rules on a motion/stipulation for continuance.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Continue
Filing a Notice of Cancellation does not guarantee that the hearing will be continued.
A Notice of Cancelation will not guarantee that a hearing will be continued.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Continuances, Cancellations and Resolutions
Only the Court may cancel extended hearing time.
Only the Court may cancel an extended hearing time.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Continuances, Cancellations and Resolutions
An opposed continuance may be granted upon a showing of good cause, including an emergency or other unanticipated event.
Opposed continuances may be granted upon a showing of good cause, such as an emergency or other unanticipated event.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Continuances, Cancellations and Resolutions
Chambers Communication Rules
After JACS closes, a party seeking to add a case or hearing must contact the Judicial Assistant by 9 a.m. on the day before the scheduled hearing.
Any party wishing to add a case or hearing to the docket after JACS has closed must contact the JA no later than 9 a.m. the day prior to the scheduled hearing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Add-On Cases
Requests for hearings of one hour or longer must be emailed to the Felony2 Division with all parties copied; dates and times are offered after Court review.
All requests for hearing time for one hour or longer must be submitted by email to the Felony2 Division email with all parties copied and the JA will offer dates and times once the Court has reviewed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
JACS blocks cancellations within one week of the hearing; when that occurs, the scheduling party must cancel by contacting the Judicial Assistant.
However, JACS will block the ability to cancel when the cancellation is within one week of scheduled date. When JACS does not permit a cancellation the scheduling party must cancel the hearing by contacting the Judicial Assistant.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Do not copy the Court on attorney communications about a case.
Please do not copy the Court in Attorney communications regarding a case.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
To request emergency or expedited hearing time, contact the Judicial Assistant by phone and notify the Court that an email is being sent with the filed emergency motion already sent to opposing counsel.
Requests for emergency or expedited hearing time must be made by contacting the JA by phone to notify the Court that an email is being sent to the with an emergency motion that has been filed and sent to opposing counsel.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
If no hearing time is available for a motion to continue, the attorney must contact the Judicial Assistant.
If there is no time available, the attorney shall contact the Judicial Assistant.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Motions to Continue
The scheduling attorney or assistant must email the Judicial Assistant a copy of the filed hearing notice immediately after scheduling and filing it.
The scheduling attorney/assistant must email a copy of the filed notice of hearing to JA immediately upon scheduling and filing hearing notice.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
File a motion when required rather than sending an email in its place.
Do not send emails when a motion should be filed.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court