Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida (DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota) Document Filing Requirements

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Exhibits

In document extensive cases, the parties must confer with the Clerk before trial and provide the Clerk an exhibit list and the exhibits.

In document extensive 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Notice of Hearing must include the judge’s Zoom credentials and explain that parties may appear in person or remotely.

The Notice of Hearing you must include Judge Johnson’s Zoom credentials and explain that the parties may appear in the courtroom or remotely by Zoom.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Notice of Hearing for a mandatory in-person hearing must state that the proceeding is in person.

For mandatory in-person hearings, the Notice of Hearing must reflect that the proceeding is in person.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Notice of Hearing must include the DIN when it references a filing.

The Notice of Hearing must include the DIN when referencing any filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

When referencing a filing, a hearing notice must include its DIN.

The Notice of Hearing must include the DIN when referencing any filing. Please refer to Mandatory Use of Document Identification Number (DIN) section.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An emergency motion must explain the emergency, anticipated time needed, and, when applicable, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without court intervention.

Any motion requesting emergency attention or emergency hearing time must detail in the motion the emergency, the anticipated time needed and, where applicable, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A continuance motion must specifically state the requirements of Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.460(d).

If filing for a continuance, state with specificity the requirements of Rule 1.460(d), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Every proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A format.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A Format;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

To request court action, file a motion; an email is not a motion.

If you seek to have Judge Johnson take action in your case, you must file a motion. Judge Johnson does not consider an email as a motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Provide telephonic or Zoom credentials in JACS when scheduling and on the Notice of Hearing; omission in JACS may result in cancellation without notice.

Telephonic or Zoom credentials must be provided in the JACS calendar at the time of scheduling and shall be additionally provided on the Notice of Hearing. Failure to provide this information in JACS at the time of scheduling may result in the cancellation of the hearing without notice.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Evidentiary hearing

Evidentiary hearings must be in person and last at least one hour unless the parties execute an advance stipulation to introduce documents and evidence, in which case the hearing may be remote.

All hearings requiring the admission of evidence must be held in-person and are considered contested matters, requiring a hearing duration of at least one hour. Exception: If the parties enter into a fully executed stipulation to the introduction of documents and evidence in advance, the hearing may be held remotely.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

File original stipulations with the Clerk before court submission, and submit the proposed order with either a signed-stipulation copy or a letter confirming opposing counsel’s review and approval as an agreed order.

Original stipulations should be filed with the Clerk prior to submitting to the court. The proposed order must be submitted with a copy of the signed stipulation or a letter representing to the court that it has been reviewed and approved by opposing counsel, and that it is an Agreed Order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Before submitting a proposed post-hearing order, opposing counsel must review and approve it, and the cover letter or email must state that approval occurred.

If the proposed order is submitted pursuant to a hearing, opposing counsel shall review and approve the proposed order prior to submitting it to the court (the cover letter or email shall reflect that opposing counsel has reviewed and approved the order).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Parties and attorneys must follow the posted Judges’ Requirements for proposed orders.

Parties and attorneys shall follow the Judges’ Requirements for proposed orders as posted on the Twelfth Judicial Circuit website (www.jud12.flcourts.org ).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders submitted through the Portal to judges and magistrates in Sarasota County must include a cover letter or they will be rejected.

All proposed orders submitted through the Portal to judges and magistrates in Sarasota County require a cover letter. If a cover letter is not included, it will be rejected.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Zoom hearing notice

A Zoom hearing notice must include the correct credentials and required language.

Any Notice for a hearing by Zoom must contain the correct Zoom credentials and specific language which can be found on Judge Sniffen’s Zoom Information page.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extended hearing request email

The extended-hearing request email must give the case number, motion title, requested time, and details supporting the need for more than 60 minutes.

The email should contain: the case number, title of the motion, how much time is being requested, and specific details (issues, evidence, witnesses, etc.) explaining why more than 60 minutes are required to hear the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not submit a proposed order until all parties have had a meaningful opportunity to review it.

Please do not submit a proposed order until all parties have had a meaningful opportunity to review the proposed order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

certificate of service

Complete the proposed order’s certificate of service and include all email addresses to which the order should be sent.

Please make sure the certificate of service is completed and includes all email addresses the order should be sent to.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a proposed order only when all parties agree to its form.

Parties shall only submit a proposed order when all parties agree to the form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency or expedited motion

An emergency or expedited motion seeking ex parte relief must cite the legal authority permitting that relief.

If a party seeks ex parte consideration and relief in an emergency/expedited motion, the motion shall cite the statute, rule, or other legal authority that permits such relief.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Post trial final judgment

Do not submit a post-trial final judgment unless the court requests it; when requested, submit it in editable Word format.

No Final Judgment after trial may be submitted unless specifically requested by the Court. When requested, proposed Final Judgments must be submitted in editable Word format.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for rehearing reconsideration or new trial

Submit motions for rehearing, reconsideration, and new trial directly to chambers with a cover letter confirming copies were provided to parties and affected non-parties.

All Motions for Rehearing, Reconsideration, and New Trial are to be submitted directly to the judge’s chambers along with a cover letter that confirms that copies were provided to parties and affected non-parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case management conference notice

A party-noticed case management conference must identify the issues to be addressed and list all pending motions in the notice.

If noticed by a party, the notice itself must identify the specific issues to be addressed during the case management conference and must also provide a list of all pending motions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case management conference

Conference attendees must know the pending matters, be prepared to make case-management decisions, and have authority to make representations and binding agreements.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants who appear at a case management conference must be prepared on the pending matters in the case, be prepared to make decisions about future progress and conduct of the case and have authority to make representations to the court and enter into binding agreements concerning motions, issues, and scheduling.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion in limine

A motion in limine must be case-specific and state why opposing counsel is expected to offer inadmissible evidence and why a contemporaneous objection would be insufficient or what prejudice would result.

Motions in limine should be tailored to each case and must include: 1) the basis for the belief that opposing counsel will seek to introduce inadmissible evidence; and 2) the reason(s) that a contemporaneous objection would be insufficient and/or the prejudice that could result if the motion were not granted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A remote-appearance motion must be filed with the Clerk and submitted with a proposed order to chambers by email or hand delivery at least one business day before the hearing.

A motion to appear remotely must be filed with the Clerk, and along with a proposed order, must be submitted to Judge Felix’s chambers by email or hand-delivery at least one business day before the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An email is not a motion; all motions must be filed with the Clerk.

Judge Felix will not consider an email communication as a motion. All motions must be filed with the Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Each proposed order must be sent with a separate cover letter.

All proposed orders must be sent under separate cover letter.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An emergency-hearing motion must explain the emergency, the anticipated hearing time, and, where appropriate, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without court intervention.

Any motion requesting emergency hearing time must explain the emergency, the anticipated time needed, and, where appropriate, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without judicial intervention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion to continue trial must be in writing unless good cause is shown.

Motions to continue trial must be in writing unless good cause can be shown.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation to continue

A stipulation to continue will not be considered unless an accompanying motion to continue has also been filed.

Stipulations to continue will not be considered unless an accompanying motion to continue has been filed as well.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial stipulation

A trial may be set by a Trial Stipulation signed by the defendant, defense counsel, and prosecutor, or in open court at a Case Management Conference.

Trials may be set on a trial docket via Trial Stipulation signed by the defendant, counsel for defendant, and the prosecutor, or in open court at a Case Management Conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury instructions

The parties must identify to the Court the specific jury instructions on which they disagree.

The parties must inform the Court of the specific instructions upon which the parties disagree.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Must include

certificate of service

A notice of hearing must state the hearing details and appearance information, include a complete certificate of service, and contain the specified ADA notice.

Notice of Hearings must include the date, time, purpose of the hearing referencing the Document Identification Number [DIN], the duration, whether the hearing is in person [list the courtroom] and/or via Zoom [list the Zoom credentials] with a complete certificate of service that includes the following Americans with Disabilities Act compliance notice:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency hearing request

A request for emergency hearing time must explain the emergency, anticipated hearing time, and good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without court intervention.

True emergencies are rare. Requests for emergency hearing time must explain the emergency, the anticipated time needed, and the good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

A motion to compel discovery must quote in full each discovery request at issue and the opposing party’s objection and grounds.

Administrative Order 2010-22.2 § E(1)(d), provides: “Motions to compel discovery shall quote in full each interrogatory, question on deposition, request for admission, or request for production to which the motion is addressed and the objection and grounds given by the opposing parties.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

After good-faith efforts to obtain a response to overdue discovery, the requesting party may submit a Portal proposed order specifying discovery and a response within 10 days, the waiver of untimely objections subject to stated exceptions, and a warning of sanctions.

If after good faith efforts, a party has not responded to an overdue discovery request, the requesting party may submit a proposed Order through the Portal that states within 10 days the specific discovery shall occur with a response filed, all objections are waived as untimely except those based on privacy, legal privilege, or work-product protections, and warns of sanctions for failure to abide.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial continuance request

A request to continue trial must be written and signed by the client or party.

Requests to continue trial must be in writing and signed by the client/party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

Each proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A format.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A format.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a proposed order only when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.

Judge Brewer expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Waiver of appearance

Defendants must attend case management unless excused by the Court or they personally sign a waiver of appearance.

The presence of defendants at Case Management is mandatory unless excused by the Court or Defendant has personally signed a Waiver of Appearance at case management per the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and case law.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation for trial date

Parties stipulating to a trial date must use the approved Stipulation for Trial Date.

If the parties stipulate to a trial date, they must use the approved Stipulation for Trial Date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Docket sounding

Defendants must appear in person at docket sounding unless excused by the Court.

Defendants’ in-person appearance at docket sounding is mandatory unless excused by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Score sheet

Complete score sheets in full, or as fully as possible for an open plea, so that only the Judge’s signature is needed.

Score sheets must be completed in full (or to the extent possible on an open plea) so that, at most, only the judge’s signature will be required.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

File a Notice of Hearing for every hearing scheduled before the Court, regardless of its duration or nature.

A Notice of Hearing is required for all hearings scheduled before the court regardless of duration or nature.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A hearing notice must state how the parties will appear and include the corresponding Zoom credentials, courtroom, address, and hybrid-appearance language when applicable.

When drafting a notice of hearing, you must be clear as to how the parties are appearing. If via zoom, you must include Judge Moreland’s Zoom credentials. If “in-person”, you must include the courtroom assignment and the physical address of the Manatee County Judicial Center or Silvertooth Judicial Center as applicable. If “in-person” and via Zoom, you must include that this is a “hybrid appearance” and must include both Judge Moreland’s Zoom credentials and courtroom assignment and the physical address of the Manatee County Judicial Center or Silvertooth Judicial Center as applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte hearing submission

For an Ex Parte hearing, email the Probate Coordinator the petition, hearing notice, proposed orders, and relevant documents, with the specified case and hearing information in the subject line.

Ex Parte matters are strictly limited to uncontested, non-evidentiary matters lasting less than 5 minutes. These hearings are not scheduled through the Judicial Assistant or through JACS. The attorney desiring an Ex Parte hearing shall email to the Probate Coordinator, the Petition, Notice of Hearing, proposed Order(s) and all other relevant documents. The email subject line shall include the case style, petition and date of hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Every proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A format.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A format.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

File an original stipulation with the Clerk before submitting it to the Court, and submit the proposed order with a signed copy or the specified approval letter.

Original Stipulations should be filed with the Clerk prior to submitting them to the Court. The proposed order must be submitted with a copy of the signed stipulation or a letter representing to the Court that it has been reviewed and approved by opposing counsel, and it is an Agreed Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Before submitting a hearing-related proposed order, opposing counsel must review and approve it, and the cover letter must state that approval occurred.

If the proposed Order is submitted pursuant to a hearing, opposing counsel shall review and approve the proposed Order prior to submitting it to the Court (the cover letter shall reflect that opposing counsel has reviewed and approved).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit every proposed post-hearing order with a five-day letter allowing opposing counsel or a self-represented litigant five days to object, or with the stated representation letter.

5-Day Letters: The Court requires all proposed post hearing Orders be submitted with a “5-day letter” allowing opposing counsel or pro se litigant 5 days within which to object or a letter representing to the Court that if this letter will be filed by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

An order compensating an examining committee for a non-indigent ward must state that the fees will be paid from the guardianship estate’s assets.

Ward Non-Indigent: Your order must include the following language: “The fees shall be paid from the assets of the guardianship estate.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency hearing time request

An emergency hearing-time request must be submitted in writing with a copy of the motion.

Requests for emergency hearing time must be submitted to Judge Hall in writing with a copy of the motion.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Emergency motion

Must include

certificate of conference

An emergency motion must include a certificate of good faith stating that opposing counsel was contacted and stating counsel’s position on the requested relief.

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.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion to continue

A motion to continue must be written and signed by the attorney and the party, including the defendant for a defense motion, unless good cause is shown.

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.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Departure request

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.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion to continue

Motions to continue must address the factors listed in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.545(e).

Motions to continue must address the factors set forth in Fla.R.Jud.Admin 2.545(e).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Zoom hearing notice must include the correct Zoom credentials and the specified language from the judge’s Zoom Information page.

The Notice of Hearing for hearings by Zoom must contain the correct Zoom credentials and specific language which can be found on Judge Nicholas’ Zoom Information page.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not submit a proposed order until all parties have reviewed and approved it.

Please do not submit a proposed order until all parties have reviewed and approved the proposed order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

certificate of service

The order’s certificate of service must be completed and list all email addresses to which the order should be sent.

Please make sure the certificate of service is completed and includes all email addresses the order should be sent to.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order should be submitted only when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.

The Court expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on the form.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

If agreement is not evident from the motion and proposed order, the submitting party must provide documentation establishing the agreement.

If the agreement is not evident in the Motion and proposed Order, the party must submit documentation establishing the agreement.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order should end with the specified Chambers language.

Proposed orders should conclude with the following language: “done and ordered in Chambers, Manatee County, Florida.”

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

A cover letter is required for proposed orders submitted through the Portal to judges and magistrates in Manatee County.

All proposed orders submitted through the Portal to judges and magistrates in Manatee County require a cover letter.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Motions and proposed orders must be submitted through the Portal as separate documents; combining them in one document is prohibited.

Motions and proposed orders must be submitted through the Portal as separate documents. Combined motion/proposed orders in the same document are not permitted.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

cover letter

An ePortal proposed-order submission must include a cover letter and may contain only an uncontested or stipulated order; other orders will be rejected.

Any ePortal submissions must include a cover letter and are limited to uncontested/stipulated Orders. All other orders will be rejected by the judicial assistant.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

An emergency motion must include a certificate of good faith stating that opposing counsel was contacted and stating counsel’s position on the requested relief.

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.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Exhibits

In document-intensive cases, parties must confer with the Clerk before trial and provide the Clerk the exhibit list and exhibits, as well as paper courtesy copies of the list and marked exhibits to opposing counsel and the Court.

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. 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.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Stipulation for trial date

Must include

signature

A stipulation to a trial date must use the approved form, be completely filled out, and include the defendant’s signature.

If the parties stipulate to a trial date they must use the approved Stipulation for Trial Date (see Preferred Division Forms section). Stipulation forms are also available in the courtroom. The stipulation must be completely filled out and contain the defendant’s signature.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Community control disclosure form

In cases involving a negotiated or requested Community Control sentence, the defendant and attorney must review and sign the Community Control Disclosure Form and file it with the Acknowledgment and Waiver of Rights form.

In all cases in which the defendant has negotiated a Community Control sentence or will be seeking Community Control as a sanction from the Court the defendant and his/her attorney shall read, review, and sign the Community Control Disclosure Form (see Preferred Division Forms) and file it with the Clerk along with the Acknowledgment and Waiver of Rights form.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

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.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

A downward-departure request must be written and state its legal authority, supporting case authority, and factual basis, and must be noticed five days before the hearing unless the stated sentencing exception applies.

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. Departure requests shall be noticed five days before the hearing. 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

These motions must cite the applicable criminal-procedure rule or other grounds for relief and be submitted directly to the judicial assistant with a cover letter.

All Motions for Rehearing, Reconsideration, Arrest of Judgment and/or New Trial must cite the applicable Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure or other grounds upon which relief is sought and shall be submitted directly to the judicial assistant, along with a cover letter.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation for trial date

A stipulated trial date must use the approved form, which must be completed in full and signed by the defendant.

If the parties stipulate a trial date, they must use the approved Stipulation for Trial Date (see Preferred Division Forms). Stipulation forms are also available in the courtroom. The stipulation must be completely filled out and contain the defendant’s signature.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Departure request

A downward-departure request must be in writing 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

An emergency-hearing motion must explain the emergency and anticipated hearing time, and, where appropriate, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

Any motion requesting emergency hearing time must explain the emergency, the anticipated time needed, and, where appropriate, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

An emergency motion must certify counsel's efforts to resolve the dispute and state opposing counsel's position before an emergency hearing is requested.

The motion shall contain certification that the attorney has personally spoken with opposing counsel, or has made diligent attempts to contact opposing counsel, in an effort to resolve the disputed issue(s) and recite opposing counsel’s position prior to requesting an emergency hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A party seeking court action must file a motion; an email is not a motion.

Emails are not motions: The Court will not consider an email to be a motion. If any party wants Judge Carroll to take action, the party must file a motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

Each proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A format.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A format.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An emergency motion must explain the emergency, anticipated time required, and, where appropriate, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without court intervention.

Any motion requesting emergency treatment or hearing time must explain the emergency, the anticipated time needed, and, where appropriate, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion to compel discovery must quote in full each discovery request at issue and the opposing party’s objection and grounds.

Motions to compel discovery shall quote in full each interrogatory, question on deposition, request for admission, or request for production to which the motion is addressed and the objection and grounds given by the opposing parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial order

Must include

proposed order

The parties must complete the division’s proposed Pretrial Conference Order and submit it through the Portal at least three business days before the conference.

The parties must complete a proposed Pretrial Conference Order found on the Civil Division page and submit to Judge Carroll via the Portal at least three (3) business days prior to the Pretrial Conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A continuance motion must be written and signed by the client or party.

All continuance motions must be in writing and signed by the client/party. Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460; Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.525(e).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A hearing notice must include the Judge’s Zoom credentials, explain in-person and remote appearance options, identify any mandatory in-person hearing, and include the DIN.

When drafting a notice of hearing, you must include Judge Carroll’s Zoom credentials and explain that the parties may appear in-person or remotely. Judge Carroll will host all Zoom events. If the hearing is a mandatory in-person hearing, the notice of hearing must reflect that fact. Additionally, please include the DIN on the hearing notice and when referencing any filing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice of appearance

A successor attorney’s notice of appearance must designate an email address, and when multiple successor attorneys appear, each notice must identify the lead attorney.

If not already completed, within 5 days each Successor Attorney appearing on behalf of the Party must file a notice of appearance as well as a designation of email address. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516(b)(1)(A). If more than one Successor Attorney appears on behalf of Party, each notice of appearance shall designate the name of the lead attorney for Party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of service

Must include

certificate of service

The certificate of service must identify everyone served and their service information and be filed in the Court file.

Withdrawing Attorney and Withdrawing Law Firm must immediately serve a copy of this Order on all parties or their attorneys, including Party; execute a certificate of service identifying all persons served with service information; and file the certificate of service in the Court file.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Designation of email address

A self-represented Party must complete Form 2.602 and file it with the Clerk.

A self-represented Party must complete the Designation of E-Mail Address for a Party Not Represented by an Attorney (Form 2.602) and file it with the Clerk.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Demonstrative aid

An objected-to demonstrative aid may not be shown or played to the jury until the Court rules on the objection.

If opposing counsel has an objection, the aid shall not be displayed and/or played before a jury until the Court has ruled on the objection.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An emergency hearing motion must explain the emergency, the anticipated hearing time, and, where appropriate, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without court intervention.

Any motion requesting emergency hearing time must explain the emergency, the anticipated time needed, and, where appropriate, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

In document-intensive cases, the parties must confer with the Clerk before trial and provide the Clerk an exhibit list and the exhibits.

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice of appearance

For cancellation of the pre-trial conference/mediation, the defendant’s attorney must timely file and serve a document titled “Notice of Appearance/Cancellation of Small Claims Pre-trial Conference/Mediation.”

c. The Defendant's attorney timely files and serves a document entitled, "Notice of Appearance/Cancellation of Small Claims Pre-trial Conference/Mediation" (hereafter referred to as "Notice of Appearance); and

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Notice of Hearing for a Zoom event must include the correct Zoom credentials.

The Notice of Hearing for a Zoom event must include the correct credentials.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A telephonic hearing Notice of Hearing must give the correct phone number and instructions for calling the Court at the scheduled time.

The Notice of Hearing must provide the correct telephone number and instructions for the parties to call the Court at the scheduled time.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

County civil complaint

The Standing Order and Case Management Report must be filed with county civil complaints, except eviction complaints and other section 51.011 summary proceedings.

1. A Standing Order for county court civil case management, attached as “Attachment A”, and a County Civil Case Management Report, attached as “Attachment B”, shall be filed with all county civil complaints, except for eviction complaints or other summary proceedings filed under section 51.011, Florida Statutes.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

County civil complaint or petition

The clerks must require county civil complaints and petitions to include the Standing Order and Case Management Report, except eviction complaints and other section 51.011 summary proceedings.

2. The Clerks of Court in Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto Counties are directed to require that any county civil complaint or petition filed, except for eviction complaints or other summary proceedings filed under section 51.011, Florida Statutes, have a copy of this Standing Order for County Civil Case Management and the County Civil Case Management Report attached thereto.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Initial filing

Plaintiffs must include the Standing Order and Case Management Report in the initial filing and serve them on defendants with the initial process; petitioners or their counsel must include them with the petition when serving the respondent.

4. All Plaintiffs shall include in their initial filing of a case a copy of this Standing Order and County Civil Case Management Report and serve a copy of this Standing Order and Case Management Report upon all Defendants with the initial process. It is the responsibility of the Petitioner and/or Petitioner’s counsel to provide the Respondent with a copy of the Standing Order and County Civil Case Management Report by including it with the petition at the time of service.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

County civil complaint

County Civil Complaints must include the Standing Order and Case Management Report, except eviction complaints and other summary proceedings under section 51.011.

The Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s County Civil Case Management Protocol directs the Clerks of Court in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto Counties to require that any County Civil Complaint, except for eviction complaints or other summary proceedings filed under section 51.011, Florida Statutes, have a copy of this Standing Order for County Civil Case Management and the County Civil Case Management Report attached hereto.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Case management report

The parties must jointly complete the Case Management Report after meeting and conferring within 30 days after the last party is served, and submit it within 5 days after that conference.

The parties shall meet and confer within 30 days after the last party is served with initial process to discuss, and jointly complete, the Case Management Report. The parties must submit the completed Case Management Report to the Court within 5 days after the initial meet and confer.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Order invoking rules of civil procedure

For qualifying small claims cases, the Court must attach the Standing Order and Case Management Report to an order invoking the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure when the specified trial-date deadline no longer applies.

For small claims cases that proceed under one or more of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, pursuant to Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.020(c) if the deadline for the trial date specified in Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(d) no longer applies in the case, the Court shall attach this Standing Order and the Case Management Report to any Order invoking the Rules of Civil Procedure.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Case management report

The parties must meet and confer and jointly complete the Case Management Report within 30 days after the last party is served or an order invoking the Rules of Civil Procedure is entered.

The parties, or their attorneys, shall meet and confer within 30 days after the last party is served with initial process, or order invoking Rules of Civil Procedure is entered, to meet, confer, and jointly complete the Case Management Report.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Case management report

The parties or their counsel must file the signed, completed Case Management Report within 5 days after the first meet-and-confer conference.

The parties or their counsel shall file the signed, completed Case Management Report within 5 days after the first meet and confer conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a proposed order only after all parties have had a meaningful opportunity to review it, and indicate whether any party objects.

Please do not submit a proposed order until all parties have had a meaningful opportunity to review the proposed order. When submitting a proposed order, please indicate whether any party has objected to the proposed order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Once e-filed, stipulations must be submitted with the proposed order as a separate document.

All Stipulations (once e-filed) shall be submitted with the proposed order as its own document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

certificate of service

The certificate of service for an order must be completed and include all email addresses to which the order should be sent.

Please make sure the certificate of service is completed and includes all email addresses the order should be sent to.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A cover letter is required with every proposed order submitted through the Portal to a Manatee County judge or magistrate; submissions without one will be rejected.

All proposed orders submitted through the Portal to judges and magistrates in Manatee County require a cover letter. If a cover letter is not included, it will be rejected.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Parties should submit a proposed order only when all parties agree to its form.

Parties shall only submit a proposed order when all parties agree to the form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pro se filing

Pro se litigants must provide an email address to receive signed orders electronically.

Pro se litigants are required to provide an email address pursuant to Rule 2.516, Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration, to receive signed orders electronically.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency expedited motion

An emergency or expedited motion seeking ex parte relief must cite the statute, rule, or case law authorizing that relief.

If a party seeks ex parte consideration and relief in an emergency/expedited motion, the motion shall give citation to the statute, rule, or case law that allows a party to seek ex parte relief.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case management conference

Counsel and unrepresented parties must appear at Case Management Conferences.

Appearance by counsel and unrepresented parties at Case Management Conferences is mandatory.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial scheduling

At least one attorney of record and any unrepresented parties must appear at Trial Scheduling.

Appearance at Trial Scheduling is mandatory for at least one attorney of record and for unrepresented parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice that case is at issue and ready for trial

The notice that the case is at issue must identify the issues and relevant pleadings, estimate trial time, and state whether the parties object to trial before the Magistrate.

The Notice shall indicate: the issue(s) to be tried, including relevant pleadings; a realistic estimate as to how much time is required for trial; and whether the parties object to the trial being heard by the Magistrate.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint pre trial memorandum

In all cases, parties must confer at least ten days before trial and complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum.

In all cases, parties shall confer at least ten (10) days prior to trial and complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial memorandum

If the parties cannot complete a joint memorandum, they must certify their unsuccessful attempt and each complete an individual memorandum.

If the parties are unable to complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum, they shall certify they have attempted and failed. Upon certifying failure to complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum, each party shall complete his or her own Pre-Trial Memorandum.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial memorandum

The Pre-Trial Memorandum must include each party’s fully executed Financial Affidavit, a child-support guideline worksheet where applicable, and an Equitable Distribution Matrix.

The Pre-Trial Memorandum shall have attached a fully executed Financial Affidavit for each party, a child support guideline worksheet where applicable and an Equitable Distribution Matrix.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint pretrial statement

The parties must submit a Joint Pretrial Statement at the Pretrial Conference.

At the Pretrial Conference, the parties shall submit a Joint Pretrial Statement to the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial statement

If the parties cannot complete a joint statement, each must submit an individual Pretrial Statement at the Pretrial Conference.

If the parties are unable to complete a Joint Pretrial Statement, each party shall submit their own Pretrial Statement to the Court at the Pretrial Conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial statement

Each Pretrial Statement must include the specified updated Financial Affidavits, an applicable child-support worksheet, and an Equitable Distribution Matrix showing the proposed asset and liability distribution.

Every Pretrial Statement shall have attached an updated, fully executed Financial Affidavit for each party (or for the submitting party), a child support guideline worksheet, where applicable, and an Equitable Distribution Matrix showing the proposed distribution of assets and liabilities to each party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of appearance

An attorney intending to represent a party in an injunction case must file a Notice of Appearance or Limited Notice of Appearance.

Attorneys are required to file a Notice of Appearance or Limited Notice of Appearance if they intend to represent a party in an injunction case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for rehearing reconsideration or new trial

Motions for rehearing, reconsideration, and new trial must be submitted directly to chambers with a cover letter confirming copies were provided to parties and affected non-parties.

All Motions for Rehearing, Reconsideration, and New Trial are to be submitted directly to the judge’s chambers along with a cover letter that confirms that copies were provided to parties and affected non-parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation referral

Before mediation is ordered, each party must have filed a financial affidavit and Parenting Course Certificate of Completion unless those documents are not required or are waived by the Court.

Before mediation is ordered, each party must have filed with the Clerk a financial affidavit and Parenting Course Certificate of Completion, unless not required by statute or rule or waived by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting course certificate

Counsel is responsible for ensuring the client completes the required course and files its completion certificate with the Clerk.

It is the responsibility of counsel to ensure a client has completed this course and a Certificate of Completion is filed with the Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request to take online parenting course

A party seeking to take an online parenting course must submit a written request and obtain an approving order before taking the course.

If a party wishes to take an online parenting course, a written request to the judge must be submitted and an order approving the online parenting court must be entered before the online parenting course is taken.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion requesting electronic appearance at an evidentiary matter or a matter longer than 10 minutes must provide the listed information.

For a lawyer or a party or a witness to appear electronically at an evidentiary matter or matter for longer than 10 minutes, a motion must be filed explaining to the court: if agreed; and, who is appearing electronically; and, what are the extraordinary circumstances that have occurred requiring an electronic appearance; and, is the person subject to subpoena powers; and what is the nature of the testimony or purpose at the hearing; and, how long their testimony is estimated to take.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing scheduling entry

Do not block consecutive hearing slots to lengthen a single motion’s hearing without prior Court consent.

Back-to-back hearing times shall not be blocked in order to acquire a longer block of hearing time for a single motion without prior consent of the Court. Any hearing scheduled in this manner without consent will be cancelled without notice by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

After a motion is scheduled, adding, cross-noticing, or substituting another motion requires prior approval from the non-moving party and the Court.

Once a motion is scheduled, no other motions may be added to the hearing time, cross-noticed for the same hearing time, or substituted in place of a cancelled or withdrawn motion without prior approval of the non-moving party and the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of cancellation

To cancel a hearing, immediately cancel it in JACS, file a Notice of Cancellation, and send the notice to the Court, parties, and affected non-parties.

If a hearing is to be cancelled, the cancelling party should immediately: log into JACS and cancel the hearing; file a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk of Court; and send a copy of the Notice to the Court, all parties, and affected non-parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not submit a proposed order until all parties have reviewed and approved it.

Please do not submit a proposed order until all parties have reviewed and approved the proposed order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

certificate of service

Complete the proposed order’s certificate of service and include all email addresses for service of the order.

Please make sure the certificate of service is completed and includes all email addresses the order should be sent to.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a proposed order only when all attorneys or parties agree on its form; if the agreement is not evident in the motion and order, provide documentation.

The Court expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on the form. If the agreement is not evident in the Motion and proposed Order, the party must submit documentation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Set a hearing on an unagreed or objected-to motion and do not send packets to the Court before the hearing is set.

If a motion is not agreed to or is objected to, then a hearing must be set. Please do not send packets to the Court in these situations until a hearing is set.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order should end with the specified Chambers language, omit a date, and leave room for the judge’s electronic signature.

Proposed orders should conclude with the following language: “done and ordered in Chambers, Sarasota County, Florida.” Do not include a date; the date is included with the judge’s electronic signature. Please leave adequate room in the document for the judge’s electronic signature.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

An emergency or expedited motion seeking ex parte relief must cite the authority allowing that relief.

If a party seeks ex parte consideration and relief in an emergency/expedited motion, the motion shall give citation to the statute, rule, or case law that allows a party to seek ex parte relief.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial memorandum

Parties must confer at least 10 days before trial and complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum.

In all cases, parties shall confer at least ten (10) days prior to trial and complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial memorandum

If the parties cannot complete a joint pretrial memorandum, they must certify their unsuccessful effort and each submit an individual memorandum.

If the parties are unable to complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum, they shall certify they have attempted and failed. Upon certifying failure to complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum, each party shall complete his or her own Pre-Trial Memorandum.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial memorandum

Attach each party’s fully executed Financial Affidavit, an applicable child support guideline worksheet, and an Equitable Distribution Matrix to the Pre-Trial Memorandum.

The Pre-Trial Memorandum shall have attached a fully executed Financial Affidavit for each party, a child support guideline worksheet where applicable and an Equitable Distribution Matrix.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

A motion for continuance must be in writing and signed by the party, not only counsel.

Pursuant to Rule 2.545(e), Florida Judicial Administration Rules, and Rule 1.460 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, motions for continuance shall be in writing and must be signed by the party, not just their counsel.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial statement

The parties must submit a Joint Pretrial Statement at the Pretrial Conference.

At the Pretrial Conference, the parties shall submit a Joint Pretrial Statement to the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial statement

If the parties cannot complete a joint Pretrial Statement, each party must submit an individual statement at the Pretrial Conference.

If the parties are unable to complete a Joint Pretrial Statement, each party shall submit their own Pretrial Statement to the Court at the Pretrial Conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial statement

Each Pretrial Statement must include updated executed Financial Affidavits, an applicable child support worksheet, and an Equitable Distribution Matrix showing each party’s proposed distribution.

Every Pretrial Statement shall have attached an updated, fully executed Financial Affidavit for each party (or for the submitting party), a child support guideline worksheet, where applicable, and an Equitable Distribution Matrix showing the proposed distribution of assets and liabilities to each party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Special interrogatories submission

A completed Special Interrogatories checklist and the listed cover letter, executed forms, proof of residency, proposed judgment, pleadings, financial documents, and child-related materials must be sent to chambers.

A Special Interrogatories checklist must be completed and sent to the Judge’s chambers with the following documents[1]: Cover letter explaining case status and agreement of opposing counsel/party; Fully executed Special Interrogatories; Legible copy of the driver's license or affidavit of residency for the party signing the interrogatories proving that the party was a Florida resident for at least six months prior to filing date; Proposed Final Judgment with sufficient copies and postage pre-paid envelopes for the Court to send conformed copies. If copies and envelopes are not provided, the original will be scanned and emailed back to the parties; Fully executed Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA); Original and any supplemental pleadings, including Petitions, Answers, Counter- Petitions, and Waivers; Financial affidavits, waiver of mandatory disclosure clause in MSA, or separate waivers. The cover letter must indicate which of these is applicable in the case. If the waiver is in the MSA, the cover letter should indicate the page and paragraph where the waiver can be found; and If minor children are involved: a fully executed Parenting Plan that, at a minimum, complies with F.S. 61.13(2)(b); Parenting class Certificates of Completion for both parties; and UCCJEA.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal submission

Instead of a hearing, counsel may submit a client- and attorney-signed withdrawal stipulation and a proposed order listing the client’s available contact addresses, with copies to opposing parties.

In lieu of a hearing, counsel may submit to the Judge for review and consideration, with copies to opposing parties: a stipulation to withdraw signed by the attorney and the client, and a proposed order that includes the client’s current or last known physical address, mailing address, and email address, if available

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order of referral

Schedule the listed discovery and pleading motions before General Magistrate Evans, comply with Local Rule 5 for discovery issues, and submit an Order of Referral.

All discovery related issues such as compel, contempt re: discovery order, extend time, protective order, objection to interrogatories, objection to production, quash, sanctions re: discovery matters, and any additional discovery-related motion not listed; as well as motions directed to the pleadings, such as amend, strike, default, dismiss, intervene, set aside, etc. shall be scheduled before General Magistrate Natalya Evans. Discovery issues shall be in compliance with Local Rule 5. The scheduling attorney shall submit an Order of Referral to General Magistrate, pursuant to Fla.Fam.L.R.P.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial disclosures

Failure to provide required financial disclosures at least three business days before mediation may lead to sanctions and cancellation.

Failure to provide statutorily mandated financial disclosures three (3) business days prior to mediation may result in sanctions and the cancellation of the mediation session.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation referral

Before mediation is ordered, each party must have filed a financial affidavit and Parenting Course Certificate unless those items are not required or the Court waives them.

Before mediation is ordered, each party must have filed with the Clerk a financial affidavit and Parenting Course Certificate of Completion, unless not required by statute or rule or waived by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order of referral to mediation

Both parties must have current financial affidavits on file before submitting an Order of Referral to the Family Mediation Program.

Pursuant to Administrative Order 2024-8.2 and in order to verify that the parties qualify for the Family Mediation Program and for the Family Mediation Program to determine the appropriate fee, both parties must have current financial affidavits on file prior to submitting an Order of Referral.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final judgment

In dissolution cases with minor children and paternity actions, parties must complete an approved parenting course and file its completion certificate before final judgment.

In a Dissolution of Marriage With Minor Children or a Paternity action, parties are required by F.S. 61.21 to complete an approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course and file a Certificate of Completion with the Clerk prior to the entry of a final judgment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Online course request

A party seeking to take an online parenting course must submit a written request and obtain an approving order before taking the course.

If a party wishes to take an online parenting course, a written request to the judge must be submitted and an order approving the online parenting court must be entered before the online parenting course is taken.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final hearing request

For an adoption or termination-of-parental-rights final hearing, send chambers a written hearing request, pertinent Chapter 63 materials, and the complete signed court-approved checklist.

A written request for final hearing and copies of all pertinent materials required under Chapter 63, Florida Statutes, shall be sent to the Judge’s chambers, along with an appropriate, complete, signed, court-approved checklist (TPR or Adoption).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Attach the authorizing order to the hearing notice and provide it to the Court before the hearing; schedule the adoption hearing before the TPR judge on JACS using the adoption case number and enter the TPR number in Additional Info.

A copy of the order authorizing must be attached to the Notice of Hearing and provided to the Court prior to the hearing. The adoption hearing must be scheduled before the same judge that entered the Final Judgment in the TPR case. The hearing must be scheduled on JACS using the adoption case number. The TPR case number should be entered in the “Additional Info” field.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil contempt motion

A civil contempt or enforcement motion must detail each alleged violation, its date, and the specific order or judgment language allegedly violated.

Any motion for civil contempt/enforcement must provide specific, detailed, factual allegations for each alleged violation, including dates, and must refer to the specific language in the order or judgment that has allegedly been violated.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court appearance

Trial counsel and unrepresented parties must attend Docket Sounding in person or by Zoom.

All trial counsel and unrepresented parties must appear in person or via Zoom at Docket Sounding.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

All continuance motions must be in writing and signed by the client or party.

All continuance motions must be in writing and signed by the client/party. See Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460; Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.545(e).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proof of payment or indigence

Both parties must provide the mediator proof of payment or proof of indigence before the mediation conference.

Both parties must provide the mediator with proof of payment or proof of indigence prior to the mediation conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial affidavit

Both parties must file current financial affidavits before attending mediation.

Current Financial Affidavits for BOTH parties MUST be filed prior to attending mediation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial affidavit

The parties cannot waive the requirement, and financial affidavits must also be filed with the court.

This requirement cannot be waived by the parties, and the financial affidavits must also be filed with the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting plan

Parties with children must bring a draft Parenting Plan to mediation.

Parties with children are required to bring a draft of a Parenting Plan to the mediation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Remote testimony request

Must include

proposed order

Remote testimony requires consent of all parties and court approval; a stipulation alone does not grant relief, and an approved request will be memorialized by order.

The Court may allow testimony to be provided remotely if all parties consent and approved by the Court. A stipulation between the attorneys and/or pro se litigants does not automatically grant the relief requested. If approved, the court will enter an order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

File every motion with the Clerk before reserving hearing time.

All motions must be filed with the Clerk prior to reserving hearing time.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

File a compliant Notice of Hearing immediately after reserving hearing time; hearings may not be set unilaterally.

A Notice of Hearing must be filed immediately after reserving hearing time and must conform to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s Standards of Professionalism. Hearings are not permitted to be set unilaterally.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Notice of Hearing must include the appropriate ADA notice and DIN for each motion, and a remote-hearing notice must include Judge Ruhl’s Zoom credentials.

You are responsible to ensure the notice of hearing contains the appropriate ADA notice and the appropriate DIN for each motion to be heard. When drafting a Notice of Hearing for a remote hearing, you must include Judge Ruhl’s Zoom credentials.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing request

Do not use back-to-back slots to lengthen a hearing; a case may not occupy more than one hearing slot per standard business day, and back-to-back hearings will be canceled.

Do not schedule back-to-back slots to obtain more hearing time (i.e., two back-to-back 15-minute slots to obtain 30 minutes of hearing time). This includes motions made by both parties. One case number should not take up more than one hearing slot in a standard business day. Back-to-back hearings will be canceled by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing time request

A written email request for hearing time must attach the motions and DINs and include the agreed duration, requested appearance type, general timeframe, trial-docket status, and relevant scheduled hearings; phone requests are not accepted.

To request hearing time from the Court, the following information must be included in the email (phone calls not accepted): list of motions and DIN (motions must be attached to email) agreed total length of time needed by attorneys and/or pro se litigants requesting appearance (either in-person or remote) – requesting party will be notified if a further motion will be required general time frame requesting the hearing to be held (5 days, 30 days, etc.) if you are on a trial docket other scheduled hearings for the same case or related cases that impact the request

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing request

Additional motions may not be cross-noticed, piggybacked, or substituted into reserved hearing time without express consent of opposing counsel and the court.

Once a motion has been set for hearing, additional motions may not be “cross-noticed,” “piggybacked,” or substituted during the time reserved for the original motion without the express consent of opposing counsel and the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If party agreement is not stated in the proposed order, the cover letter must confirm prior agreement; the court will not sign without clear agreement, consent, or counsel’s affirmation of opposing counsel’s approval.

If the agreement is not contained in the proposed order, it must be indicated in the cover letter that all parties previously agreed to the form and content of the order. The cover letter must accompany the proposed order that is filed through ePortal. The court will not sign proposed orders/judgments without clear evidence of agreement or consent by all parties or counsel’s affirmation that opposing counsel has approved the form and content of the order/judgment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Include a detailed service list in each proposed order, identifying the method of service and complete email or mailing address.

Include a detailed service list in the proposed order. Service list must have more than names, include the method of service (complete email or mailing address)

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a separate proposed order document for each case number.

Do not submit one proposed order for two (2) case numbers. Each case number must have its own document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation

Do not submit consolidated forms; file stipulations as standalone documents before submitting an order, and e-file motions and stipulations for the court to consider them.

Do not submit consolidated forms. All Stipulations must be a standalone document and filed prior to submitting an order to the Court. Motions and Stipulations not e-filed will not be considered.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not ask the Court to hold a proposed order for objections; do not send paperwork that all parties have not reviewed.

Do not include a directive such as “hold this proposed order for x days for an objection to be lodged”. If the paperwork has not been reviewed by all parties, it should not be sent to the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If directed to submit a post-hearing proposed order, wait until all parties have reviewed and approved it.

Following a hearing, the court may ask the prevailing party to submit a proposed order. Do not submit a proposed order until all parties have reviewed and approved the proposed order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency or hardship motion

A party seeking an emergency or hardship hearing should file a detailed, sworn, verified motion describing good-faith efforts to resolve the matter, the issues and need for expedition, the basis for waiving mediation, and the time needed for each party’s presentation.

If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency or hardship hearing, a detailed, sworn and verified motion setting forth the following should be filed: that the movant first conferred with or made a good faith effort to contact opposing party to resolve the matter without Court intervention (efforts to be delineated in the motion re: contact and resolution); the issue(s) that need to be resolved on an expedited basis and why they require an expedited hearing; the basis for the waiver of any required mediation; the amount of time needed, taking into account each party’s presentation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency or hardship motion

The judge decides whether emergency or hardship treatment is warranted; the Court will issue directions by order and may require a written response, and failure to follow the stated steps may support denial.

The judge will determine whether the issues qualify as an “emergency” under the prevailing case law or whether a hardship exists thus justifying the waiver of mediation or the setting of an expedited hearing. The court will prepare an order advising the parties how to proceed. The court may issue an order requesting the non-moving party to file a written response. Failure to follow the steps as outlined in this section will constitute a basis for denial of the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency or hardship motion

An emergency or hardship motion’s verification must use the specified sworn verification form.

The verification must be in the following form: Verification State of Florida County of Sarasota Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared, ____________________ who is personally known to me or produced valid identification and after being duly sworn deposes and says: I have reviewed the foregoing facts listed in the Emergency and/or hardship Motion and find the same to be true and correct and I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath as to the truthfulness of each and every claim made in this Motion and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or imprisonment. Further affiant sayeth not. ____________________________ (name of movant) Sworn to and subscribed before me this _____ day of _________________, by _________________who is personally known to me or who produced _________ as identification and who did take an oath. Signed: ____________________________ (Notary Public) My Commission Expires:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Notices of hearing for Zoom proceedings must include Zoom-use information, including the meeting ID and password.

The Notices of Hearing for Zoom proceedings shall contain information about how to use Zoom, including the meeting ID and password.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation and order for continuance or waiver of appearance

A defendant must appear even when represented unless the specified stipulation and order or waiver is signed by all parties, including the defendant, and filed with the Clerk.

Defendant’s appearance is required with private and public defender representation unless a Stipulation and Order for Continuance and/or Waiver of Appearance has been signed by all parties (including Defendant) and filed with the Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Witness testimony

A witness testifying by Zoom at an evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial must appear on camera and present valid identification.

Any witness testifying at an evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial by Zoom must appear on camera and must present a valid form of identification.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Each notice of hearing must state the exact title of the matter to be heard and its filing date.

All notices of hearing shall list the exact title of the motion or other document that is to be heard and shall note the date of filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

Emergency hearing requests may be faxed, delivered to the judge’s office, or emailed to the Judicial Assistant; send the opposing party a copy by the same method and describe the emergency circumstances.

All motions requesting emergency hearing time may be faxed, delivered directly to Judge Uzabel’s office, or submitted via email to the Judicial Assistant. Copies must be sent to the opposing party via the same delivery method. The motion should detail the circumstances of the emergency. The Court will review the motion and determine whether an expedited hearing is warranted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Designation of email address form 2 602

A self-represented party must complete Form 2.602 and file it with the Clerk.

A self-represented Party must complete the Designation of E-Mail Address for a Party Not Represented by an Attorney (Form 2.602) and file it with the Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Must include

certificate of service

Every Notice of Hearing must include a compliant Certificate of Service and the required disability-accommodation notice.

Every Notice of Hearing must include a Certificate of Service, in compliance with Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516(f), as well as the notice regarding requests for accommodations by persons with disabilities, as set forth in Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.540.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Notice of Hearing must identify the matter and filing information, list each motion, state whether the hearing is evidentiary, specify the appearance format, and include Zoom information when applicable.

A Notice of Hearing shall list the exact title of the motion or other document that is to be heard, the date of filing, and the Clerk’s document identification number (DIN), if available. If multiple motions are scheduled to be heard, each motion shall be specifically listed. The Notice of Hearing must explicitly state if the hearing is “Evidentiary” in nature. The Notice of Hearing must state whether it will be in person, virtual/remote (Zoom), or a hybrid of in person and Zoom. If any portion of the hearing will be virtual/remote (Zoom), the court’s Zoom information must be provided in the Notice of Hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Before scheduling a hearing before Magistrate Caskey, the moving party must complete and email the Order of Referral to the judge, copying all parties and affected nonparties.

Prior to scheduling a hearing before Magistrate Caskey, the moving party must complete the “Order of Referral” and submit the Order to the judge using the Division Email with copies to all parties and affected nonparties.

CRITICAL

Every signed document must include a signature block complying with Rule 2.515(c).

Every signed document shall include a signature block in conformance with Florida Rule of General Practice & Judicial Administration 2.515(c).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion in limine must be case-specific and identify the issue, supporting or opposing legal or factual bases, why a contemporaneous objection is insufficient, and any resulting prejudice.

Motions in limine should be specifically tailored to each case and shall include: the substantive, evidentiary, or procedural matter at issue; the legal or factual bases supporting or refuting the matter at issue; the reasons why a contemporaneous objection during trial would be insufficient; and the prejudice, if any, that will occur if the motion is granted or not granted, as applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation

A stipulation must be signed and dated by the participating attorneys and parties, filed with the Clerk, provided to the court promptly after signing, and expressly state any limitations.

Any Stipulation, including those that will be read to the jury, shall be signed and dated by the attorneys of record and the parties who are entering into the stipulation. The fully executed Stipulation must be filed with the Clerk and a copy provided to the court as soon as it is signed. If the Stipulation is limited to certain parties, claims, or otherwise, such limitations shall be expressly stated therein.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Designation of email address

Immediately upon entering a case, attorneys and SRLs must file a Designation of Email Address with the Clerk and serve it on all parties.

Immediately upon entering a case, all attorneys and SRLs shall file with the Clerk and serve upon all parties a Designation of Email Address, as required by Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Designation of email address

Self-represented litigants must file a Designation of E-mail Address.

Self-represented litigants must file a Designation of E-mail Adress. See Florida Rule of General Practice & Judicial Administration 2.516(2).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of appearance

Each appearing attorney, including attorneys from the same firm, must separately file a notice of appearance and email designation identifying the party statuses represented.

Every attorney that appears on behalf of a party, including attorneys from the same firm, must file a separate notice of appearance and designation of email address. If a party has more than one status (e.g., Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff), the notice of appearance must identify the status or statuses that attorney represents the party. This is an on-going requirement for any new attorney that appears during the litigation. Each attorney that appears is fully responsible for the case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

A motion to compel discovery must quote in full each discovery request at issue and the opposing party’s objection and stated grounds.

“Motions to compel discovery shall quote in full each interrogatory, question on deposition, request for admission, or request for production to which the motion is addressed and the objection and grounds given by the opposing parties.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Agreed or stipulated proposed orders must identify that status in the heading and state the basis of agreement, which may be shown by an attached signed stipulation or agreement email; agreement does not ensure approval.

All agreed/stipulated proposed orders must clearly state “Agreed/Stipulated” in the heading and must indicate the basis of the stipulation/agreement. This can be done by attaching a signed stipulation or copy of an email indicating the agreement or filing same. An agreement to a proposed order does not guarantee Court approval.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Emergency-hearing motions must be delivered to Judge Leaf’s office or emailed as urgent, with a copy sent to the opposing party by the same method; the motion should describe the emergency, and the Court decides whether to expedite a hearing.

All motions requesting emergency hearing time must be either (1) delivered directly to Judge Leaf’s office marked as “urgent” (2) submitted via email to CoDivisionF@jud12.flcourts.org again noting the matter is “urgent” with copies sent to the opposing party via the same delivery method. The motion should detail the circumstances of the emergency. The Court will review the motion and determine whether an expedited hearing is warranted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

All continuance motions must be written and signed by the client or party.

All continuance motions must be in writing and signed by the client/party. Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460; Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.525(e).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Summary judgment motion

Each summary judgment motion must include a specifically captioned “Statement of Material Facts” section.

Each motion for summary judgment must include a specifically captioned section titled, “Statement of Material Facts.”

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

The Statement of Material Facts must present each allegedly undisputed material fact in a separate numbered paragraph.

The Statement of Material facts must list each material fact alleged not to be disputed in separate, numbered paragraphs.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

Each fact in the Statement of Material Facts must have a pinpoint citation to the specific supporting part of the record.

Each fact must be supported by a pinpoint citation to a specific part of the record relied upon to support that fact.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Source document

Supporting source documents must be filed with the Clerk and displayed on the progress docket unless they are already displayed there.

The source document supporting each fact referenced in the Statement of Material Facts must be filed with the Clerk and displayed on the progress docket. Source documents already displayed on the progress docket do not need to be refiled.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Deposition transcript

If a deposition transcript is referenced, the complete, full-sized transcript, including exhibits, must be filed.

If a deposition transcript is referenced, the complete, full-sized transcript must be filed, including exhibits.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Summary judgment motion

Failure to submit the Statement of Material Facts when filing the summary judgment motion constitutes grounds for denying the motion.

Failure to submit a Statement of Material Facts at the time of filing the summary judgment motion constitutes grounds for denial of the motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Response to statement of material facts

The nonmoving party must file a response to the Statement of Material Facts.

The nonmoving party must file a response to the Statement of Material Facts.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Summary judgment opposition

Each summary judgment opposition must include a specifically captioned “Response to Statement of Material Facts” section.

Each response in opposition to a motion for summary judgment must include a specifically captioned section titled “Response to Statement of Material Facts.”

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Response to statement of material facts

The nonmoving party must admit or deny each assertion in matching numbered paragraphs, but may add facts while still mirroring the moving party’s presentation.

The nonmoving party’s response must mirror the Statement of Material Facts by admitting and/or denying each of the moving party’s assertions of fact in matching numbered paragraphs. The nonmovant may include additional facts; however, the nonmovant must still mirror the movant’s presentation of facts.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Response to statement of material facts

Each denial must include a pinpoint citation to where the fact is disputed, using the same citation form required above.

Each denial of a fact must set forth a pinpoint citation to the record where the fact is disputed in the same form as above, including:

CRITICALCivil cases

General citations without pinpoint citations are prohibited and may result in the moving party’s factual assertion being deemed undisputed.

A general citation without a pinpoint is not permitted and may result in the Court concluding the moving party’s factual assertion is undisputed.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Response to statement of material facts

Referenced source documents must be filed with the Clerk and identified on the progress docket, unless already displayed there.

Each source document referenced in the Response to Statement of Material Facts must be filed with the Clerk and referenced on the progress docket. Source documents already displayed on the progress docket do not need to be refiled.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Deposition transcript

When a deposition transcript is referenced, the complete, full-sized transcript, including exhibits, must be filed.

If a deposition transcript is referenced, the complete, full-sized transcript must be filed, including exhibits

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Response to statement of material facts

The nonmoving party’s response must follow the paragraph scheme used in the Statement of Material Facts.

The nonmoving party’s response must correspond with the paragraph scheme used in the Statement of Material Facts.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Response to statement of material facts

Additional material facts must be numbered, placed at the end of the response, and supported by pinpoint citations to the record.

Additional facts which the nonmoving party contends are material shall be numbered and placed at the end of the nonmoving party’s response and must include pinpoint citations to the record to establish a fact.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Pretrial conference request form

A trial-setting request specifies a trial period and Docket Sounding no more than 10 weeks after the currently scheduled Pretrial Conference, and certifies that counsel reviewed discovery and the plea offer with the client and conferred with the State, which has no objection.

___Set this case for trial for the trial period with Docket Sounding (which is not more than 10 weeks from the currently set pretrial conference date) on and Trial week beginning on_______________________ (see Judge Leaf’s calendar on the Court’s website for dates). The undersigned certifies that they have received, reviewed, and discussed discovery and the plea offer with their client. The undersigned further certifies that they have conferred with the State, who has no objection to this trial period.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Fingerprint sheet

For pleas to offenses requiring fingerprints, fingerprints must be obtained and submitted before disposition, and the fingerprint sheet must be returned notarized and dated.

_____ b. Fingerprints _____ Fingerprints must be obtained and submitted to the Court prior to the disposition of the case. Fingerprint sheet must be returned notarized and dated.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Plea form

The plea-in-absentia form must state the specific date, time, and courtroom for fingerprinting, which must occur before the judge who took the plea.

_____ Plea in absentia form must include specific date and time, and courtroom, on and to which defendant will report for fingerprinting. Fingerprints must be done in front of the judge that took plea.

CRITICALCriminal cases

In Manatee, the defendant must report to probation in person within 24 hours after plea acceptance unless permitted to report by phone; in Sarasota, the defendant must contact Professional Probation Services within 48 business hours to arrange probation reporting or approved mail-in probation.

_____ c. Manatee - Defendant to report in person to probation within 24 hours of plea being accepted by the Court, unless permission is granted to report by phone. Sarasota - Defendant will contact Professional Probation Services within 48 business hours of plea being accepted by the Court: (941) 894- 1232 to set up a date to report to probation or to set up mail-in probation, if mail-in probation was allowed pursuant to the plea agreement.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Probation case information sheet

If the defendant will be on any type of probation, a fully executed Probation Case Information Sheet containing all of the defendant’s contact information is required.

_____ b. If Defendant is going on any type of probation (reporting or mail-in), there must be a fully executed Probation Case Information Sheet filled out with all Defendant’s contact information. This form can be found on the 12th Judicial Circuit’s website: www.jud12.flcourts.org or requested from the assigned Division Judicial Assistant or Professional Probation Services

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Plea form

If the defendant will not be on probation, the plea form must specify how every aspect of the plea will be completed.

_____ b. If Defendant is not going on probation, plea form must include specific plan on how all aspects of plea will be completed (for example, costs are to be paid within 6 month’s);

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

Criminal cases

Applies to

Notice

The plea must be taken in open court with the defendant’s attorney appearing in open court, by phone, or by zoom; arrange remote participation with the Judicial Assistant when setting the appearance, and include the appearance method in the notice.

_____ c. Plea to be taken in open court with Defendant’s attorney appearing in open court, by phone or zoom. Arrangements for phone or zoom conference to be made at the time the court appearance is set with Judicial Assistant. The notice must include the method by which the parties will appear.

CRITICALCriminal cases

If the defendant is assessed a fine or court costs and is not on probation, the total is due when the plea in absentia is entered.

_____ a. If Defendant is assessed a fine and/or court costs, the total is due at time of plea in absentia if NOT on Probation.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Deferred agreement

Defendants must satisfy all agreement conditions before returning the notarized agreement or contract to the State Attorney.

Each agreement is self-explanatory; Defendant’s must comply with all conditions before returning notarized agreements/contracts back to the State Attorney.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Traffic pti or pti contract

After the State and Defense sign and submit a Traffic PTI or PTI contract to the Court, it is forwarded to the Clerk with a Division Judge’s Order canceling future court dates attached.

Once the State and Defense sign off on a Traffic PTI or a PTI contract and submit to the Court, the contract will then be forwarded to the Clerk of Court with an attached Order from the Division Judge to cancel all future court dates.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Stipulation admission agreement or waiver

Stipulations, admissions, agreements, and waivers must be written and signed by both sides to be enforced by the court.

NOTE: STIPULATIONS, ADMISSIONS, AGREEMENTS AND WAIVERS MUST BE IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY BOTH SIDES IF SEEKING COURT ENFORCEMENT.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

An emergency-hearing motion must explain the emergency, the time needed, and, when appropriate, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

Any motion requesting emergency hearing time must explain the emergency, the anticipated time needed, and, where appropriate, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Trial exhibits

Trial exhibits must be exchanged among all parties at least five business days before trial.

Trial exhibits shall be exchanged between all parties, not less than five (5) business days prior to trial.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Trial exhibits

Counsel must confer with the Trial Clerk and pre-mark all exhibits; the State must number its exhibits and the Defense/Defendant must use letters.

Counsel shall confer with the Trial Clerk and pre-mark all exhibits. The State shall use numbers to denote their exhibits. The Defense/Defendant shall use letters.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Demonstrative aid

Before trial, counsel using a demonstrative aid for opening statement or closing argument must confer with opposing counsel and show them the aid.

The Court recognizes that parties may wish to use demonstrative aids during opening statement and/or closing argument. These demonstrative aids may include photographs, diagrams, visual aids, electronic media and PowerPoint presentations, etc. Prior to trial, counsel shall confer with opposing counsel and show opposing counsel the demonstrative aid.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Demonstrative aid

If opposing counsel objects to a demonstrative aid, it may not be displayed or played before the jury until the Court rules on the objection.

If opposing counsel has an objection, the aid shall not be displayed and/or played before a jury until the Court has ruled on the objection.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Demonstrative aid

Parties using demonstrative aids must be prepared to have the aid marked as an exhibit and entered into the record, whether or not it will be introduced into evidence.

To have a clear record, parties using a demonstrative aid shall be prepared to have the aid marked as an exhibit and entered into the record, regardless of whether or not the aid will be introduced into evidence.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Proposed jury instructions and verdict form

Proposed jury instructions and a verdict form must be emailed to the judicial assistant in Word format by the first day of trial, or earlier.

Parties shall provide proposed jury instructions and a verdict form by email (in word format) on the first day of trial, or sooner, to the judicial assistant;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

Must include

certificate of conference

An emergency motion must certify the attorney’s personal discussion or diligent contact attempts with opposing counsel to resolve the dispute and must state opposing counsel’s position.

The motion shall contain certification that the attorney has personally spoken with opposing counsel, or has made diligent attempts to contact opposing counsel, in an effort to resolve the disputed issue(s) and recite opposing counsel’s position prior to requesting an emergency hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

Emergency motions and urgent matters must be filed in the court file before hearing time is requested, and valid email addresses must be included.

Emergency motions and other urgent matters filed by attorneys and pro se litigants must be filed in the court file before requesting hearing time. Please include valid email addresses.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

Pro se litigants must file emergency motions with the clerk accompanied by Form A.

Pro se litigants must file their emergency motions with the clerk with a Form A.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document group

Self-represented litigants must file Form A with every group of documents filed with the Clerk.

File a Form A every time you file documents with the Clerk of Court. The Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s Form A is the “routing form” for self-represented litigants that must be filed with every group of documents to ensure they come to the Court’s attention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Civil evidentiary hearings generally must occur in the courtroom, and the hearing notice must say the hearing is live and not remote.

With the exception of hearings on a claim of exemption, absent an order from the Court permitting an evidentiary hearing to occur by Zoom, evidentiary hearings shall take place live in the courtroom and the notice shall include language that the hearing is taking place live in the courtroom and not by remote means.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The listed criminal proceedings generally must occur live in the courtroom and be noticed as in-person proceedings unless the Court permits Zoom.

Arraignments, trials, evidentiary hearings, open pleas, docket soundings, trial status, public defender and pro se pretrial conferences, violation of probation hearings and non-evidentiary hearings expected to last longer than fifteen minutes will take place live in the courtroom and shall be noticed as such absent a court order permitting an appearance by Zoom.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A hearing notice must identify the exact title of the matter and its filing date; JACS “unlisted motion” entries must name the motion in Additional Information, and remote-hearing notices must include Zoom access details.

All notices of hearing shall list the exact title of the motion or other document that is to be heard and shall note the date of filing. If a hearing is scheduled in JACS and “unlisted motion” is selected, the exact name of the motion being scheduled must be added in the “Additional Information” section of JACS. Notice of Hearings for remote appearances must include the Meeting ID, Password, and information about how to access and utilize Zoom.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An email is not a motion; a party seeking Court action must file a motion and set it for hearing when appropriate.

The Court will not consider an email to be a motion. If any party wants the Court to take action, the party must file a motion and set it for hearing when appropriate.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An emergency motion must certify that counsel personally spoke with opposing counsel or diligently tried to make contact to resolve the dispute, and must state opposing counsel’s position.

The motion shall contain certification that the attorney has personally spoken with opposing counsel, or has made diligent attempts to contact opposing counsel, in an effort to resolve the disputed issue(s) and recite opposing counsel’s position prior to requesting an emergency hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

For live evidentiary hearings, have a table of exhibits and labeled exhibits in your possession before the hearing begins.

Before the hearing begins, have in your possession the following: A Table of Exhibits. Each exhibit labeled “Plaintiff 1” or “Defendant A” and so on

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order may be submitted only when all parties agree to its form.

Parties shall only submit a proposed order when all parties agree to the form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

A motion requesting emergency hearing time must explain the emergency, anticipated hearing time, and, where appropriate, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

Any motion requesting emergency hearing time must explain the emergency, the anticipated time needed, and, where appropriate, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

To request a hearing, file a motion with the clerk and deliver a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant with a cover letter stating the hearing time needed and whether evidence will be considered.

The Dependency Division is not part of the on-line automated scheduling system (JACS). All hearings are set by the Court, the Judicial Assistant, or the Clerk of Court. If you need to set a hearing, a motion must be filed with the clerk and a courtesy copy delivered to the Judicial Assistant with a cover letter indicating how much time is necessary for the hearing and whether evidence will need to be considered.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

An unagreed motion must end with counsel’s certification describing the good-faith conferral or specific reasonable efforts to confer, including contact methods and attempted-contact dates and times, and identifying resolved and unresolved issues.

At the end of any motion not agreed upon by the parties, counsel for the moving party shall certify either: (A) that counsel for the movant has conferred with all parties or non-parties who may be affected by the relief sought in the motion in a good faith effort to resolve the issues raised in the motion and has been unable to do so; or (B) that counsel for the movant has made reasonable efforts to confer with all parties or non-parties who may be affected by the relief sought in the motion, which efforts shall be identified with specificity in the statement,[1] but has been unable to reach the other parties or non-parties whose input is necessary. If certain issues have been resolved by agreement, the certification shall specify the issues resolved and the issues that remain unresolved. 1. Such specificity must include the method of contact with each individual with whom you were trying to confer as well as the date and time of the attempted contact(s).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An issue for court consideration should be raised by a motion filed with the Clerk and copied to all parties; a separate copy must be provided to the Judge with a cover letter or email stating the time needed and whether evidence or testimony will be considered.

As a result, any issue to be considered by the Court should be in the form of a motion filed with the Clerk of Court - with copies provided to all parties of record. Please note - the mere filing of a motion with the Clerk’s Office does not bring the matter before the Judge. A copy of the motion must be provided to the Judge with a cover letter or email explaining how much time is necessary to have the motion considered in Court. The letter or email must include information regarding whether evidence (to include witness testimony) will need to be considered at the time of the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Before submitting an agreed order, the preparing office must send an advance copy to all parties and confirm no objection to its form; the submission must notify the Judge of the opposing side’s agreement or lack of objection, in the order title or accompanying cover letter or email.

Before submitting an order to the Court as an “agreed order,” the office preparing the agreed order must provide an advance copy to all parties and confirm there is no objection to the form of the order prior to submitting it to the Judge. When submitting such an order, notification shall be given to the judge that the opposing side either agrees to the order and/ or has no objection/position to the relief being ordered. Such agreement can be indicated in either the title of the order and/or the cover letter or email accompanying the submission.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

For emergency consideration, provide the Emergency Motion and a cover letter stating the time needed as soon as possible; the motion should be verified and certify that it is an emergency sought in good faith, and the cover letter must expressly request emergency consideration.

If a matter needs to be heard on an emergency basis, a copy of the Emergency Motion, along with a cover letter advising how much time is needed, must be provided to the Court as soon as possible. The Emergency Motion should be verified and include a certification by the lawyer or party filing such motion that the motion is an emergency and that the lawyer or party is acting in good faith in seeking such relief. The cover letter must note that the matter is requested to be heard on an emergency basis, or it will not receive expedited consideration and review.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Order of referral

If applicable, the Order of Referral must state the mediation fee amount and that payment is due before the scheduled mediation.

If applicable, the Order of Referral to court ordered mediation shall include the amount of the mediation fees, which are due to be paid prior to the scheduled mediation.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Order of referral

Attorney-prepared Orders of Referral must substantially conform to an Order of Referral approved by the Chief Judge.

Orders of Referral prepared by attorneys must substantially conform to any Order of Referral approved by the Chief Judge of this circuit.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice or order

Attorney-prepared notices and orders must state the mediation fee amount due.

Any notices or orders prepared by attorneys must include the amount of the fee which is due and owed for the mediation.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Mediation session

Parties must bring documented proof of mediation-fee payment, such as a Clerk’s receipt, or an approved Certificate of Indigence, to mediation.

Parties shall appear at mediation with documented proof of payment, such as a receipt from the Clerk of Court, or an approved Certificate of Indigence by the Clerk of Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Financial affidavit

Both parties must file current financial affidavits before obtaining an Order of Referral to the Family Mediation Program.

Current Financial Affidavits for BOTH parties MUST be filed prior to obtaining an Order of Referral to the Family Mediation Program.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Order of referral

Orders of Referral will not be granted, and proposed Orders of Referral will not be signed, if financial affidavits are not filed.

If financial affidavits are not filed, Orders of Referral will NOT be granted and proposed Orders of Referrals will not be signed.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Parenting plan

Parties with children must bring a draft Parenting Plan to mediation.

Parties with children shall bring a draft of a Parenting Plan to the mediation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

File a Notice of Hearing immediately after reserving hearing time and ensure it complies with the Circuit’s Standards of Professionalism.

A Notice of Hearing must be filed immediately after reserving hearing time and must conform to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s Standards of Professionalism.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Must include

certificate of service

A Notice of Hearing must state the hearing details, motions and allotted time, ADA notice, motion DIN, Zoom credentials, and certificate of service to all parties.

The Notice of Hearing must include: Date, time and location of the hearing time reserved Name of the motions to be heard and length of time assigned The appropriate ADA notice The Docket Identification Number (to the left of your motion in the court file) Judge Krug’s Zoom credentials (even for in-person hearings) Certificate of service to all parties

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Attach the court-approved Final Hearing Checklist to the Notice of Hearing for every scheduled Final Hearing.

Any case where a Final Hearing is set, the Final Hearing Checklist located under Circuit Family Division 2 court-approved forms, must be attached to the Notice of Hearing.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

An order or judgment will not be signed without clear evidence of all parties’ agreement or consent, or counsel’s affirmation that opposing counsel approved its form and content.

The court will not sign an order/judgment without clear evidence of agreement or consent by all parties or counsel’s affirmation that opposing counsel has approved the form and content of the order/judgment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a proposed order only after all parties have reviewed and approved it; the court generally uses 12-point Times New Roman and one-inch margins for proposed orders.

Do not submit a proposed order until all parties have reviewed and approved the proposed order. The court generally uses 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins when drafting proposed orders.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order must not cover two case numbers; submit a separate document for each case number.

submit one proposed order for two (2) case numbers. Each case number must have its own document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Paper orders must be accompanied by preaddressed, sufficiently stamped envelopes and conforming service copies for all parties.

If an order must be submitted in paper format, you must also submit preaddressed envelopes with sufficient postage and conforming copies for all parties to receive a service copy.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice for trial

Complete mediation and file the Mediation Report with the clerk before counsel submits a Notice for Trial.

Mediation must be completed, and a Mediation Report be filed with the clerk before counsel can submit a Notice for Trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An emergency or hardship hearing request must be made by detailed, sworn, and verified motion stating the good-faith conferral efforts, urgent issues and reasons, mediation-waiver basis, and time needed.

If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency or hardship hearing, a detailed, sworn and verified motion setting forth the following should be filed: that the movant first conferred with or made a good faith effort to contact opposing party to resolve the matter without Court intervention (efforts to be delineated in the motion re: contact and resolution); the issue(s) that need to be resolved on an expedited basis and why they require an expedited hearing; the basis for the waiver of any required mediation; the amount of time needed, taking into account each party’s presentation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An emergency or hardship motion’s verification must use the specified sworn verification language and notarial form.

The verification must be in the following form: Verification State of Florida County of Sarasota Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared, ____________________ who is personally known to me or produced valid identification and after being duly sworn deposes and says: I have reviewed the foregoing facts listed in the Emergency and/or hardship Motion and find the same to be true and correct and I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath as to the truthfulness of each and every claim made in this Motion and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or imprisonment. Further affiant sayeth not. ____________________________ (name of movant) Sworn to and subscribedbefore me this _____ day of _________________, by _________________who is personally known to me or who produced _________ as identification and who did take an oath. Signed: ____________________________ (Notary Public) My Commission Expires:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

Each paper and electronic exhibit set must include a Table of Exhibits.

Both sets shall include a Table of Exhibits.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice for trial

A Notice for Trial must identify the case type, issues to be tried, and total presentation time; file the original with the clerk and provide a copy to the court, unless a fully executed MSA has been filed.

The Notice for Trial must comply with Family Law Rule 12.440 and describe: the type of case to be tried; the specific issues to be tried; the total time it will take all parties to present their case. The original should be filed with the clerk and a copy provided to the court. The only exception to avoid a Notice for Trial is if a fully executed Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) has been filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

When filing a Motion for Relocation, counsel must simultaneously provide the court a copy and written notice to set the matter for a hearing.

When a Motion for Relocation is filed, counsel must simultaneously provide a copy to the court as well as a written notice to set the matter for a hearing on the Petition.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Do not schedule rehearing or reconsideration motions through JACS; send them to the court with a cover letter, and the court will decide whether to hold a hearing.

Do not set Motions for Rehearing or Reconsideration for hearing through JACS, instead send them to the court with a cover letter. The court will decide whether to hold a hearing.

WARNING

Include the DIN when referencing filings, particularly in hearing notices and proposed orders.

Please include the DIN when referencing any filing, especially on hearing notices and proposed orders.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

A proposed discovery order should warn that noncompliance may result in sanctions, including striking pleadings or dismissing the case.

The proposed order should also warns that the failure to abide by the Order may result in further sanctions, including, without limitation, striking pleadings, dismissing the case, or other appropriate sanctions.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a proposed order only when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.

Judge Johnson expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If the order’s form is disputed or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, submit it with a concise statement identifying the disagreement.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not direct the Court to hold a proposed order for a period to allow an objection.

Please do not include a directive such as “hold this proposed order for x days for an objection to be lodged.”

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Communication

Must include

case number

All communications and proposed orders submitted to the court must include the case number.

Case numbers must be included on all communications and proposed orders submitted to the court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

The court will not accept proposed orders accompanied by a 5-day letter, except when the opposing party is pro se.

The court will not accept proposed Orders with a “5-day letter” (a letter allowing opposing counsel 5 days within which to object). Any such Orders will be returned unsigned. Exception: If opposing party is pro se.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Email

The hearing courtesy-copy email subject line should state the case style, hearing date, and motion title.

The email subject line should include the case style, date of the hearing and motion title.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders should end with the specified language, must omit a date, and must leave room for the judge’s electronic signature.

Proposed orders should conclude with the following language: “DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, (insert name) County, Florida.” Do not include a date; the date is included with the judge’s electronic signature. Please leave adequate room in the document for the judge’s electronic signature.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

When submitting a proposed order, state whether any party has objected.

When submitting a proposed order, please indicate whether any party has objected to the proposed order.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed final judgment email

The email subject line should contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter.

The subject line should contain the case number, name and relevant matter: 2022 DR 001234 – Doe v. Doe – Final Judgment.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not send proposed orders to the court for contested motions.

Please do not send proposed orders to the Court on contested motions.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order should conclude with the specified chambers language.

Proposed orders should conclude with the following language: “done and ordered in Chambers, Manatee County, Florida.”

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If the parties disagree on form or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, file the proposed order through the Portal with a cover letter explaining the disagreement or conferral efforts.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then file the proposed order through the Portal with a cover letter concisely stating the disagreement or steps you took to confer with the opposing attorney.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Pre-mark exhibits and evidence before the hearing or trial begins.

Exhibits and evidence should be pre-marked before the hearing or trial begins.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibit label

Legibly label each exhibit with the offering party’s designation, an identifying number or letter, the entry date if known, and the case number.

So that evidence is filed in the correct case, exhibit labels should have the following information legibly printed on them: the designation of the party moving the item into evidence as reflected on the initial pleading in the case (i.e., Plaintiff, Defendant, etc.); a numbering and lettering system that clearly identifies each, individual exhibit or piece of evidence from another (i.e., 1, 2a, 2b, Composite 3, etc.); the date the exhibit is entered into evidence, if known ahead of time; and the case number (i.e., 2022CA2222).

WARNING

Applies to

Stipulation for substitution

A substitution stipulation may be submitted ex parte without a hearing if filed, signed by all counsel, and accompanied by the client’s written consent.

Stipulations for substitution if filed, signed by all counsel, and with written consent of client, may be submitted ex parte; no hearing is required.

WARNING

Applies to

Case management conference

If a party has multiple attorneys, those attending a case management conference must know all attorneys’ availability for future events.

If a party is represented by more than one attorney, the attorney(s) present at a case management conference must be prepared with all attorneys' availability for future events.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

The cover letter must identify an order that is agreed upon or stipulated to by the parties.

If the order is agreed upon or stipulated to by the parties, it must state so in the cover letter.

WARNING

Applies to

Jury instructions

If the parties cannot agree on jury instructions, each party may submit competing proposed instructions.

However, if the parties are unable to agree on the jury instructions, each party may instead submit competing proposed jury instructions.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Parties should submit a proposed order only when all parties agree to its form.

Parties should only submit a proposed order when all parties agree to the form.

WARNING

Applies to

Agreed order

Proceedings are held in person, but expert-witness testimony may be remote by Zoom if the parties agree and submit an agreed order.

All proceedings in front of Judge Brewer are held in person in Courtroom 5B. (See Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, updated January 1, 2017, amended effective July 1, 2024.) This Court permits Zoom expert witness testimony upon agreement of the parties and the submission of an agreed Order.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If opposing counsel does not respond within a reasonable time, email the proposed order to the Judicial Assistant with a concise statement of the specific steps taken to obtain agreement.

If opposing counsel does not respond within a reasonable time, you may email the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the specific steps you took to obtain an agreement to the Judicial Assistant.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not direct the Court to hold a proposed order for a period to allow an objection.

Please do not include a directive such as “hold this proposed order for x days for an objection to be lodged.”

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Unless directed otherwise, the State should premark exhibits “State 1, 2, 3, etc.,” and the Defense or Defendant should premark them “Defense A, B, C, etc.”

Unless the Court directs otherwise, the State should mark their exhibits ahead of time as “State 1, 2, 3, etc.,” and the Defense/Defendant should mark their exhibits ahead of time as “Defense A, B, C, etc.”

WARNING

Applies to

Filing reference

Include the docket’s DIN when referring to a filing, especially in a hearing notice.

Important The Clerk’s Office on the progress docket identifies a unique, sequential Document Identification Number [DIN] for each docket entry. Once assigned by the Clerk, the DIN does not change. Please include the DIN when referencing any filing, especially on hearing notices.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit an agreed-form proposed order when possible; if there is disagreement or no timely response, identify the disagreement and steps taken, and the opposing attorney may submit an alternate order simultaneously.

Judge Moreland expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form. If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the specific steps you took. The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order through the Portal.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not direct the Court or its staff to hold a proposed order for an objection period; the Court will reject such orders.

Please do not include a directive such as “hold this proposed order for x days for an objection to be lodged.” The Court will reject proposed orders seeking to put this burden on the Court or the Court’s staff.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If no Clerk indigence determination remains unresolved, the petitioning attorney should bring the original and copies of the compensation order to the adjudicatory hearing.

If there is no unresolved clerk determination of indigence, the petitioning attorney should bring the original and copies of the Order Compensating to the adjudicatory hearing.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of cancellation of hearing

A hearing cancellation notice should be filed with the Clerk and emailed to Anita as soon as possible.

Notices of cancellation of hearing should be filed with the Clerk of the Court, and a copy emailed to Anita as soon as possible.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Trial exhibits

In document-intensive cases, the parties must confer with the Clerk before trial and provide an exhibit list and the exhibits.

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.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Case management stipulation

If the Court receives the signed stipulation and the Judge signs it, all parties are excused from appearing in Court.

If signed stipulation is received and signed by the Judge, all parties would be released from appearing for Court.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Stipulation

The stipulation must be completed and include the defendant’s signature at the location marked with a star.

The stipulation must be filled out and contain the defendant’s signature by the star symbol.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Restitution order

Must include

proposed order

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.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Once e-filed, stipulations must be submitted with the proposed order as separate documents.

All Stipulations (once e-filed) shall be submitted with the proposed order as its own document.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

If the parties disagree on the proposed order’s form or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, the proposed order may be sent with a concise statement of the disagreement and steps taken.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the steps you took.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

If the parties disagree on the order’s form or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, the proposed order may be filed through the Portal with a cover letter briefly describing the disagreement or conferral efforts.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then file the proposed order through the Portal with a cover letter concisely stating the disagreement or steps you took to confer with the opposing attorney.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a proposed order when all parties agree on its form; if there is disagreement or no timely response, submit it with a concise explanation, and the opposing attorney may simultaneously submit an alternate.

The Court expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form. If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the specific steps you took. The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order through the Portal.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit an agreed-form proposed order when possible; if there is disagreement or no timely response, identify the disagreement and steps taken, and the opposing attorney may submit an alternative simultaneously.

Judge Carroll expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form. If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the specific steps you took. The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order through the Portal.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Improperly labeling a motion as an emergency motion may result in sanctions.

Motions improperly designated as emergency motions may result in sanctions.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Mark joint exhibits 1–99, plaintiff exhibits 101–199, and defendant exhibits 201–299.

Exhibits should be marked as follows: Joint Exhibits, please use the series: Exhibit 1-99 Plaintiff Exhibits, please use the series: Exhibit 101-199 Defendant Exhibits, please use the series: Exhibit 201-299

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

When there are multiple parties, they should agree on exhibit-numbering series so each party has a unique series.

If there are multiple parties, the parties should discuss amongst themselves which party will receive which series. Each party should have a unique series.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Each page of a multi-page exhibit must have a unique page number; Bates labels are permitted.

If an exhibit contains multiple pages, please ensure there is a unique page number on each page. Use of bates labels is fine.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

After good-faith efforts to obtain a response to an overdue discovery request, the requesting party may submit a Portal proposed order requiring discovery and a response within 10 days, waiving most objections as untimely, and warning of possible sanctions for noncompliance.

If after good faith efforts a party still has not responded at all to a pending, and overdue, discovery request, the requesting party may submit a proposed Order through the Portal that provides within 10 days that the specific discovery occur and a response be filed, waives all objections as untimely except those based on privacy, legal privilege, or work-product protections, and warns the failure to abide by the Order may result in further sanctions, including, without limitation, dismissing the case, striking pleadings, or other appropriate sanctions.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Include the DIN on hearing notices and whenever referring to a filing.

Additionally, please include the DIN on the hearing notice and when referencing any filing.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

The withdrawing attorney and law firm must submit proposed orders or judgments within the Court-identified timeframe and respond to requests for revisions.

Withdrawing Attorney and Withdrawing Law Firm must submit to the Court any proposed orders or judgments within the timeframe identified by the Court as well as respond to all Court requests for revisions to the proposed orders or judgments.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Demonstrative aid

Before trial, counsel must confer with opposing counsel and show them any demonstrative aid.

Prior to trial, counsel shall confer with opposing counsel and show opposing counsel the demonstrative aid.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Demonstrative aid

Parties using a demonstrative aid must be prepared to have it marked as an exhibit and entered into the record, even if it will not be introduced into evidence.

To have a clear record, parties using a demonstrative aid shall be prepared to have the aid marked as an exhibit and entered into the record, regardless of whether the aid will be introduced into evidence.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Trial exhibits

Counsel must confer with the Trial Clerk and pre-mark all exhibits.

Counsel shall confer with the Trial Clerk and pre-mark all exhibits.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibit

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.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion to withdraw

Must include

proposed order

To avoid a hearing on a motion to withdraw, an attorney may obtain the client’s written consent and submit a stipulation and proposed order to the Court.

To avoid a hearing for a motion to withdraw, an attorney may obtain the client’s consent in writing to the withdraw and submit the stipulation and proposed order to the Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Pre hearing memorandum

Pre-hearing memoranda are encouraged for motions set for 30 minutes or less and mandatory for hearings over 30 minutes.

For any motions set for 30 minutes or less parties are encouraged to file pre-hearing memoranda. For hearings over 30 minutes, pre-hearing memoranda are mandatory.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If the parties disagree on the form or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period, the proposed order may be sent with a concise statement of the disagreement and steps taken.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the steps you took.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders should end with the specified Chambers language.

Proposed orders should conclude with the following language: “done and ordered in Chambers, Manatee County, Florida.”

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If the parties disagree on the form or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, the order may be filed through the Portal with a cover letter explaining the disagreement or conferral efforts.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then file the proposed order through the Portal with a cover letter concisely stating the disagreement or steps you took to confer with the opposing attorney.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice that case is at issue and ready for trial

Once the case is at issue, either party may file the notice of readiness for trial with the Clerk and send a copy to the judge’s office.

Once the case is At Issue, either party may file a “Notice That Case is At Issue and Ready for Trial” with the Clerk and send a copy directly to the judge’s office.

WARNING

Applies to

Hearing scheduling entry

When scheduling multiple motions in one time slot, list each motion’s complete exact title and filing date in the Notes section.

If multiple motions are being scheduled for the same time slot, the “Notes” section must contain the complete and exact title of each motion and the date that each motion was filed with the Clerk.

WARNING

Applies to

Hearing scheduling entry

The scheduling party should confer about hearing duration and, absent agreement, reserve equal presentation time for the opposing side.

The scheduling party shall confer with the opposing counsel/party to agree on the total time required for the hearing. If the scheduling party is unable to confer or agree with the opposing counsel/party, the scheduling party should schedule the hearing to give the opposing counsel/party an equal amount of time to present to the Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If the parties disagree about form or an attorney does not respond reasonably promptly, submit the order with a concise account of the disagreement and efforts made; the opponent may submit an alternative order.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the steps you took. The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit an agreed-form proposed order through the ordinary process; if form is disputed or counsel does not respond reasonably promptly, email the order with a cover letter describing the disagreement or conferral efforts, and the opponent may submit a competing order.

Parties shall only submit a proposed order when all parties agree to the form. If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then email the proposed order with a cover letter concisely stating the disagreement or steps you took to confer with the opposing attorney. The opposing attorney may submit a competing order, also indicating in the cover letter that the attorneys are not in agreement.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Pre-mark exhibits and evidence before the hearing or trial begins.

Exhibits and evidence should be pre-marked before the hearing or trial begins.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibit

Exhibit labels should legibly identify the offering party, distinguish each exhibit, state its entry date if known, and include the case number.

So that evidence is filed in the correct case, exhibit labels should have the following information legibly printed on them: the designation of the party moving the item into evidence as reflected on the initial pleading in the case (i.e., P=Petitioner, R=Respondent, H=Husband, W=Wife, F=Father, M=Mother, etc.); a numbering and lettering system that clearly identifies each, individual exhibit or piece of evidence from another (i.e., 1, 2a, 2b, Composite 3, etc.); the date the exhibit is entered into evidence, if known ahead of time; and the case number (i.e., 22DR2222SC).

WARNING

Applies to

Order of referral to mediation

No motion is required for a Family Mediation Program referral, but both parties must have current financial affidavits on file before submitting the referral order.

A motion is not required. Pursuant to Administrative Order 2024-8.2 and in order to verify that the parties qualify for the Family Mediation Program and for the Family Mediation Program to determine the appropriate fee, both parties must have current financial affidavits on file prior to submitting an Order of Referral.

WARNING

Applies to

Final hearing

A party lacking a filed course-completion certificate may be limited to supervised time-sharing, and the final hearing may be cancelled if neither party complies.

At the time of the Final Hearing, if a party has not filed a Certificate of Completion, the non-compliant party may be limited to supervised time-sharing until they comply. If both parties have not complied, the Final Hearing may be cancelled.

WARNING

Applies to

Online course request

A correspondence or internet parenting course is allowed only for qualifying out-of-state or foreign residence, or upon good cause shown by verified motion.

An approved course through correspondence or the internet may be used only if a party resides out of state or in a country where a course is not offered or upon good cause shown by verified motion.

WARNING

Applies to

Case management report

Attend if the Case Management Report is rejected; attendance is excused if it is accepted.

If you receive the Order Rejecting Case Management Report, you will need to attend. If you receive the Order Accepting Case Management Report, you will be excused.

WARNING

Applies to

Dismissal

All parties are excused if a dismissal of the case is filed.

If there is a Dismissal of the case filed, all parties are excused.

WARNING

Applies to

Stipulation for submission without hearing

Must include

proposed order

Parties may stipulate to determination on written submissions; the stipulation must be signed by all parties, filed with the Clerk, and accompanied by copies of all materials submitted for review.

Nothing precludes the parties from stipulating those matters be determined based solely on written submissions (written motions, written responses with legal analysis and proposed orders). Any such stipulation must be signed by all parties, filed with the clerk, and copies of all paperwork to be submitted to our office for review.

WARNING

Applies to

Cover letter

For an unagreed order, disclose any out-of-office or vacation response received from another party in the cover letter.

If any party submitting an order which has not been previously agreed to by all parties, receives an “out of office” or “vacation response” from any other party, it is the submitting party’s obligation to include this information in the cover letter.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

When the Court requests proposed orders from each party, follow the deadlines it gives and copy all parties.

In some cases, the court will ask each party to submit a proposed order. Make sure to abide by any deadlines that the court gives, and all parties are copied.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion or notice of hearing

A hearing may be cancelled if the motion or notice of hearing is not filed in the court file.

If the motion or notice of hearing is not filed in the court file, the hearing may be cancelled.

WARNING

Applies to

Jacs hearing scheduling entry

When scheduling an unlisted motion in JACS, enter the motion’s exact name in the Additional Information section.

If a hearing is scheduled in JACS and “unlisted motion” is selected, the exact name of the motion being scheduled must be added in the “Additional Information” section of JACS.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

An emailed proposed order should include all available party email addresses on its certificate of service or the parties will not receive the order.

If a proposed order is emailed, please include all email addresses for all parties on the certificate of service, if available. If email addresses are not provided on the proposed order, no one will receive the order.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

For proposed orders submitted by U.S. Mail or hand delivery, the cover letter should state that postage-paid envelopes and copies for conforming are included.

For proposed orders that are submitted via US mail or hand delivery, please indicate in the cover letter that postage paid envelopes and copies for conforming are included.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

When all parties and non-parties agree to a proposed order, the submitting party must include a cover letter confirming agreement and begin the order title with “Agreed.”

If all parties and non-parties agree with the proposed order The party preparing the proposed order shall submit the proposed order to the court with a cover letter indicating all parties have agreed to the form and substance of the proposed order and adding “Agreed” to the start of the proposed order’s title (e.g., Agreed Order Granting Plaintiff’’s Motion to Extend Time to Respond to Discovery).

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

When a proposed order is disputed, the submitting party must provide a cover letter identifying the dispute, resolution efforts, and reasons the proposed order is correct.

If there is objection to or disagreement with the proposed order The party preparing the proposed order shall send the proposed order to the court with a cover letter identifying the objection or disagreement, the steps taken to resolve the dispute, and the reasons why the moving party believes that its proposed order is correct.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If no response to a proposed order is received within a reasonable time, the submitting party must provide a cover letter documenting service, the response period, and who agreed or did not respond.

If no response is received, within a reasonable time, to the proposed order The party preparing the proposed order shall submit the proposed order to the court with a cover letter detailing the date and method that the proposed order was served on each party and affected non-party, the reasonable time frame they were given to respond, a list of parties and affected non-parties that agreed to the proposed order, and a list of the parties and affected non-parties that did not respond.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

The moving party must limit the Statement of Material Facts to facts necessary for the Court to decide the summary judgment issues.

When preparing the Statement of Material Facts, the moving party must reference only the material facts necessary for the Court to determine the issues presented in the motion for summary judgment.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

An attorney’s affidavit may not be included in the Statement of Material Facts.

The Statement of Material Facts shall not include an attorney’s affidavit.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

The Statement of Material Facts may not include legal argument.

Legal argument shall not be included in the Statement of Material Facts.

WARNINGCivil cases

Citations must identify the source document by its assigned DIN in Sarasota County or its docket number in Manatee and DeSoto Counties.

1. for Sarasota County, the Document Identification Number (DIN) assigned by the Clerk on the progress docket, and 2. in Manatee County and DeSoto Counties, the docket number.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Response to statement of material facts

The Court may deem a fact admitted if the nonmoving party does not specifically controvert it and the moving party’s statement is supported by record evidence.

The Court may deem admitted any fact in the Statement of Material Facts that the nonmoving party does not specifically controvert, provided that the moving party’s statement is supported by evidence in the record.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order should be submitted only when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.

The Court expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If the parties disagree on a proposed order or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, the submitting party may include a concise statement of the disagreement and steps taken, and opposing counsel may simultaneously submit an alternate order through the Portal.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the specific steps you took. The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order through the Portal.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit a proposed order only when all attorneys or parties agree on its form; if there is disagreement or no timely response, include a concise statement of the disagreement and steps taken, and the opposing attorney may simultaneously submit an alternate through the Portal.

The Court expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form. If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the specific steps you took. The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order through the Portal.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Before an evidentiary hearing, confer with opposing counsel about stipulated exhibits and evidentiary objections and avoid duplicate exhibits.

Confer with opposing counsel to determine what exhibits are stipulated and what evidentiary objections each side is maintaining and avoid duplicate exhibits.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders should use the stated concluding language, include a judge-signature line and any needed service list, omit the date, and leave room for the electronic signature.

Proposed orders should conclude with the following language: “Done and Ordered in Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida” and Please include a signature line for the Judge’s signature block and a service list, if needed. Do not include a date; the date is included with the judge’s electronic signature. Please leave adequate room in the document for the judge’s electronic signature.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

If the parties disagree about an order’s form or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, submit the proposed order with a concise statement of the disagreement and efforts to resolve it; opposing counsel may submit an alternative at the same time.

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the steps you took to address it. The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Before submitting exhibits, confer with opposing counsel about stipulated exhibits and maintained objections, and avoid duplicate exhibits.

Confer with opposing counsel to determine what exhibits are stipulated and what evidentiary objections each side is maintaining and avoid duplicate exhibits.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Request a status conference by motion stating the reasons, unless all parties agree, in which case the judicial assistant may be emailed without a motion.

If you wish to have a status conference on a case, please file a motion that detail the reasons for the request. If all parties agree that a status conference is needed, the judicial assistant may be emailed without filing a motion.

INFO

Applies to

Motion in limine

Boilerplate motions in limine seeking enforcement of standard evidence rules are discouraged.

Boilerplate motions in limine that seek an order enforcing standard rules of evidence are discouraged.

INFO

Applies to

Pre hearing memorandum

Parties are encouraged to submit the pre-hearing memorandum at least two business days before the hearing.

Parties are encouraged to submit the PHM at least two (2) business days before the hearing.

INFO

Applies to

Court appearance

Attorneys and parties should bring or have access to their personal and professional calendars at every court appearance.

Bring calendars to Court. Attorneys and parties should bring or have access to their personal and professional calendars at every court appearance in case the matter must be rescheduled or continued.

INFO

Applies to

Pretrial order

In dependency cases set for trial, the Court will enter a pretrial order setting discovery and conference deadlines.

In Dependency cases set for trial, the court will enter a pre-trial order with discovery and conference deadlines.

INFO

Applies to

Delinquency case

Delinquency cases follow the rules of juvenile procedure.

The Delinquency cases will follow the rules of juvenile procedure.

INFO

Applies to

Trial setting

Dependency trials are set at arraignment under Florida Statute section 39; delinquency trials are set under the juvenile procedure rules.

For dependency cases, trials are set at arraignment pursuant to the requirements of Fla. Stat. 39. For delinquency cases, trials are set pursuant to the rules of juvenile procedure.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Criminal cases

Applies to

Emergency motion

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.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Discovery motion ?

Please comply with this requirement for any motion to compel discovery.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Hearing

Must include

caption ?

A Notice of Hearing is required for all hearings scheduled before the court regardless of duration or nature.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Proposed order

All proposed orders submitted through the Portal to judges and magistrates in Manatee County require a cover letter. If a cover letter is not included, it will be rejected.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Emergency or expedited motion ?

If a party or affected non-party is not noticed, the motion must clearly and specifically explain why, including efforts made to locate and notice the party or affected non-party.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Emergency or expedited motion ?

The motion shall be detailed, including the specific relief sought and the amount of hearing time requested.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Motion

Must include

local rule certificate ?

A motion for continuance shall be accompanied by a certificate of the movant’s counsel that the motion is filed in good faith.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Jury instructions

At least one business day before jury selection is to commence, the parties shall submit joint proposed jury instructions to Judge Felix’s Judicial Assistant in Word via email at CirCrimDiv1@jud12.flcourts.org.

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Applies to

Proposed order

The Court will reject proposed orders seeking to put this burden on the Court or the Court's staff.

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Applies to

Stipulation for trial date ?

The stipulation must be completely filled out and contain the Defendant’s signature.

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Applies to

Proposed order ?

Ward Indigent: Your order must include the following language: “By the submission of this Order, the attorney confirms that the clerk has made a determination, based on known income/assets, that the ward is indigent. The attorney and guardian are proceeding at no expense to the ward. Based on indigence, the fees shall be paid by the Court Administration budget for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.”

Summary: An order compensating an examining committee for an indigent ward must include the specified indigence and payment language.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Criminal cases

Applies to

Motion to continue ?

Must include

certificate of conference ?

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.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Proposed order ?

If a cover letter is not included, it will be rejected.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Proposed order ?

Pro se litigants are required to provide an email address pursuant to Rule 2.516, Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration, to receive signed orders electronically.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

E-Portal submission ?

All ePortal submissions must include a cover letter

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Emergency motion

Must include

certificate of conference ?

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.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Emergency motion ?

The motion shall be accompanied by a cover letter that must include an estimate of the amount of hearing time required.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Emergency expedited motion ?

If a party or affected non-party is not noticed, the motion must clearly and specifically explain why, including efforts made to locate and notice the party or affected non-party.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Proposed order ?

All parties must be cc’d for the document to be reviewed.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Proposed order ?

Must include

certificate of service

Please include email addresses on the certificate of service.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Emergency expedited motion ?

The motion shall be detailed, including the specific relief sought and the amount of hearing time requested.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Notice to set nonjury trial ?

Counsel must also provide the Court with a notice to set the matter for nonjury trial.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Final judgment

In a Dissolution of Marriage With Minor Children or a Paternity action, parties are required by F.S. 61.21 to complete an approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course and file a Certificate of Completion with the Clerk prior to the entry of a final judgment.

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Applies to

Motion

All hearings must be scheduled for in person hearings unless approved by court order. A motion must be filed and sent to chambers to get special permission to appear via zoom.

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Applies to

Testimony ?

If the Court approves a Motion for a testifying witness to appear electronically, that witness must be in a lawyer’s office, court reporter’s office or a courthouse where an officer of a Court is present to observe that person and assure compliance with rules of Court for testifying – otherwise, the witness will not be permitted to testify.

Summary: An electronically appearing testifying witness must be at a lawyer’s office, court reporter’s office, or courthouse where a court officer can observe the witness.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Must include

caption ?

The Notice of Hearing for hearings by Zoom must contain the correct Zoom credentials and specific language which can be found on Judge Bruning's Zoom Information page.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Hearing scheduling entry ?

Any “Unlisted Motion” not specifically described in the “Notes” section will not be heard.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Proposed order ?

Pro se litigants are required to provide an email address pursuant to Rule 2.516, Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration, to receive signed orders electronically.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Remote appearance request ?

All parties, attorneys and participants need permission to appear by Zoom for hearings that are noticed for in-person hearings.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Objection to remote appearance ?

A party waives objections by failing to timely object to the motion unless, before the date of the proceeding, the party establishes good cause for failure to timely object.

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Applies to

Hearing request ?

Please utilize account named “Juvenile Division (Judge Maria Ruhl)” for all for in-person and remote hearings.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Hearing request ?

As such, no “add on” cases are permitted on Wednesdays and no evidentiary hearings will be conducted on Wednesdays.

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Applies to

Notice of hearing

The Notices of Hearing for these proceedings shall contain language that the hearing will be held in person in the courtroom and not by Zoom.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Request to waive appearance ?

Defendant’s appearance at Docket Sounding may not be waived without prior written approval of the Court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Motion for continuance

Must include

caption ?

Pursuant to Rule 2.545(3), Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin., and Rule 1.460, Fla. R. Civ. P., motions for continuance shall be in writing and must also be signed by the party, not just their counsel.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Order

Must include

certificate of service

Withdrawing Attorney and Withdrawing Law Firm must immediately serve a copy of this Order on all parties or their attorneys, including Party; execute a certificate of service identifying all persons served with service information; and file the certificate of service in the Court file.

Summary: Withdrawing counsel must execute and file a certificate of service identifying everyone served and their service information.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Motion

The motion shall be detailed and include the amount of hearing time required. If the motion seeks ex parte relief, the legal and factual bases as well as authority allowing ex parte consideration and relief shall be specifically stated.

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Applies to

Plea in absentia paperwork ?

Defense attorneys are required to let probation know and provide probation intake form to probation department immediately after plea.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts ?

The pinpoint citation must also include: 1. for Sarasota County, the Document Identification Number (DIN) assigned by the Clerk on the progress docket; or 2. for Manatee County and DeSoto Counties, the docket number.

Summary: Pinpoint citations must include the Clerk-assigned DIN in Sarasota County or the docket number in Manatee or DeSoto County.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts ?

A general citation without a pinpoint is not permitted and may result in the judge concluding the factual assertion is not properly supported.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Criminal cases

Applies to

Pretrial conference request form ?

The Defendant waives speedy trial.