Dependency General Magistrate Procedures as of May 1, 2022
Rules and Procedures
All attorneys will appear in-person unless otherwise waived by the Court. (see procedure below)
If a parent cannot appear in person because they are at work during the time of the hearing or they are attending an appointment related to their case plan tasks, they may appear virtually, provided they notify their attorney in advance. The attorney will provide the parent with the Zoom information in the event that the hearing is by Zoom. The attorney will obtain a phone number for the parent in the event that they are appearing telephonically.
The assigned case manager on a case will appear for the hearing in person unless the case manager has provided a court liaison or supervisor with sufficient up to date information that allows the court liaison or supervisor to competently cover for the case manager.
A case manager is only allowed to appear virtually for a court hearing if a request is made in writing at least 2 business days in advance of the hearing using the appropriate email address below. The case manager must provide a reason why the case manager cannot appear for the hearing in person and why a court liaison or supervisor is not able to cover for the case manager.
The contact emails are: GM Ellis GMJUV1@fljud13.org
GM Neaves GMJUV2@fljud13.org ; GM Montagno GMJUV3@fljud13.org
If a caregiver cannot appear in person, they may appear virtually, provided they notify the case manager in advance. The case manager will provide the caregiver with the Zoom information in the event that the hearing is by Zoom. The case manager will obtain a phone number for the caregiver in the event that they are appearing telephonically.
If a GAL volunteer cannot appear in person, they may appear virtually, provided they notify the GAL attorney in advance. The GAL Program will provide the volunteer with the Zoom information in the event that the hearing is by Zoom. The GAL attorney will obtain a phone number for the volunteer in the event that they are appearing telephonically.
If a caregiver, parent, or child does not live in Hillsborough County, they may appear virtually.
Dependency Court Hybrid Procedures
REGARDING VIRTUAL APPEARANCES BY ATTORNEYS
An attorney wishing to appear virtually for a hearing before the General Magistrate needs to file a written Motion to Appear Virtually at least 10 days before the scheduled hearing. The attorney will be contacted by the General Magistrate’s office prior to the hearing regarding the motion.
If an attorney has been authorized to appear virtually by the Division Judge in a specific case set before the General Magistrate, that attorney may also appear virtually for the hearing before the General Magistrate so long as the hearing falls within the time period authorized by the Division Judge and the attorney provides the General Magistrate with a copy of the authorizing Court order at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing.
Virtual appearances may be by phone or Zoom and will be determined by the General Magistrate based upon available resources.
If a person is scheduled to appear via Zoom, it is that person’s responsibility to ensure they have the connection link and that their device is set up for audio and video. The person appearing via Zoom shall be stationary during the entire appearance. Video shall be open during the zoom hearings unless the call is from a device that only has audio. If for some reason the Zoom appearance has technical difficulties, the hearing will continue without their participation.
These rules and procedures for virtual appearances for GM hearings are subject to cancellation if the process is abused or the rules are not being followed. The decision will be made on a case by case basis.
Persons appearing in court shall follow CDC guidelines regarding COVID exposure and notifications.