Scheduling a Hearing: To schedule a case for hearing, contact the Judicial Assistant for a hearing date and time.

Scheduling a Motion Hearing:  Unless otherwise approved by the Court, a written motion should be filed with the Clerk before requesting a hearing date and time from the Judicial Assistant. If a hearing is requested and scheduled, but no motion is filed, the hearing is subject to being struck.

Notice of Hearing: After a motion is filed and a hearing is set, a Notice of Hearing should be filed within Twenty-Four (24) hours. The Notice of Hearing should contain the document number (E.g. “Doc. #”), title, and filing date of each matter set for hearing. All Notices of Hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.540.

Attendance: Defendant and Defense Counsel must attend Disposition Hearings, unless expressly approved by the Court or a written waiver of Defendant’s presence is filed. In certain circumstances and with appropriate notice, the Court may require the appearance of Defendant regardless of whether a written waiver has been filed. If Defense Counsel fails to attend a Disposition Hearing, the case will likely be set for trial. If Defendant fails to attend a Disposition Hearing (without an attorney’s written waiver), a warrant for Defendant’s arrest may be issued.   

Notification: Defense Counsel is responsible for notifying Defendant of the date of a Disposition Hearing.   

Request for a New Court Date Form:  Defense Counsel may request a new Court date by submitting a Request for New Court Date form to the Judicial Assistant. Attorneys who are not on the email list may contact the Judicial Assistant and request to be put on the list.   

Number of Disposition Hearings: Absent good cause shown, no more than three (3) Disposition Hearings will be allowed. This includes any Disposition Hearings that were missed or which took place prior to Defense Counsel’s Notice of Appearance.   

Defendants in Custody: Will be transported to Court for Disposition Hearings

Appearance: Defendant and Defense Counsel must attend the Pretrial Conference, unless otherwise approved by the Court. If Defense Counsel fails to attend a Pretrial Conference, the case may be struck from the trial docket. If Defendant fails to attend a Pretrial Conference, a warrant for Defendant’s arrest may be issued. A Defendant’s personal presence at a Pretrial Conference is vital because it gives the Court the opportunity to conduct a colloquy regarding any plea offers as well as to ensure Defendant is aware of any and all minimum and maximum sanctions. Otherwise, the Court cannot discern Defendant’s understanding of the potential penalties and ascertain that Defendant is knowingly and voluntarily choosing to proceed to trial. Further, the Court uses the Pretrial Conference to assess whether the Parties are prepared for trial. The Court finds it necessary for Defendant to personally participate in these proceedings as it is the last opportunity to resolve the case prior to trial and to ensure Defendant is aware of the status of the case. Therefore, the Court finds attendance in-person at a Pretrial Conference is a good cause finding and the attendance of Defendant is required. Jimenez v. State, 201 So. 3d 214 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016).

Motions Prior to Pretrial Conference:  Except for good cause shown, all evidentiary and other motions must be filed, heard, and resolved prior to the Pretrial Conference. (See Administrative Order 2024-015).

Motion to Continue Pretrial Conference:   Any motion to continue a Pretrial Conference or Trial will be governed by Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.190(f), and must state whether any prior motions to continue have been filed, must be in writing, and should be set and heard prior to the Pretrial Conference date. Such a motion will be granted only upon a finding of good cause. Stipulated Continuances of Pretrial or Trial may not be considered by the Court. A Request for New Court Date form shall not be used to request a continuance of a case set for a Pretrial Conference or Trial. Requests to continue filed or made the day of Pretrial are disfavored. Unless otherwise approved by the Court, Defense requests to continue filed or made the day of Pretrial require both Defense Counsel and Defendant to be present.

In-Person: All pleas will be in-person, unless a Plea in Absentia has been set or approved by the Court.




Conveyance of Plea Offer: Negotiated pleas should be conveyed to and fully discussed with Defendants prior to announcing the plea in Court. Such discussion should include the minimum and maximum penalties and the issues in Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.172.




Scheduling: The Court regularly schedules changes of pleas, and may conduct them on its next available open docket, if earlier than Defendant’s next scheduled hearing. To schedule a change of plea, email the Judicial Assistant and copy opposing counsel.




Plea in Absentia: Prior to the hearing, a written Plea in Absentia form must be presented to the Court that complies with the requirements of Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.172, and includes full fingerprints, acknowledgement and waiver of rights in absentia, and a written waiver of personal appearance in court. If a Plea in Absentia is being entered for an enhanceable offense (including but not limited to No Valid Driver’s License, Florida Statute § 322.03), the written colloquy must include an acknowledgement that Defendant has been advised of the enhancement ramifications for said offense should Defendant commit that offense again in the future. See the following links:

• Acknowledgement and Waiver of Rights in Absentia
• Plea Form and Waiver of Rights




Negotiated Pleas on the Day of Trial: Negotiated pleas may be entered at Arraignment, Disposition Hearings, Pretrial Hearings, and specially set hearings. However, negotiated pleas may not be accepted by the Court on the day of trial. In such an event, Defendant may enter an open plea.

Requesting a Hearing Date: Unless otherwise approved by the Court or waived by opposing counsel, all pretrial motions (including but not limited to motions to suppress, motions to dismiss, motions in limine requiring evidentiary hearings, and motions to exclude) should be in writing and should be filed before requesting a hearing date.

Filing: Unless otherwise approved by the Court or waived by opposing Counsel, all pretrial motions should be filed and served upon opposing counsel at least Fourteen (14) days prior to the hearing date.

Scheduling Prior to Pretrial Conference: Unless otherwise approved by the Court, all motions must be scheduled for hearing prior to the Pretrial Conference.

Motion Exhibits – Review by Counsel:   Prior to a Motion hearing, Counsel for the State and Defense are directed to meet to review all Exhibits to be introduced during said hearing. No hearing should be delayed or continued because the Parties failed to disclose and review Exhibits. 

Motion Exhibits – Review With Witnesses: Prior to a Motion hearing, Counsel shall confer with their witness(es) and review all Exhibits planned to be referred to during the testimony of that witness to ensure identification/authentication of evidence is completed prior to the witness being called. No hearing should be delayed or continued because an attorney failed to confer with a witness about Exhibits.

Failing to Set a Motion for Hearing : Simply filing a motion or objection will not typically result in an Order being issued by the Court. Most motions will require that a hearing be scheduled with notice to the opposing party

Discovery Motions: All motions pertaining to discovery disputes shall contain a certification by the moving party that a good faith attempt to resolve the matter without Court involvement has been made and shall describe the manner in which the attempt was made. Lack of diligence in pursuing remedies for discovery disputes may be considered in determining whether to grant a continuance or to which party a continuance should be charged.

Motions in Limine: All Motions in Limine shall contain a certification by the moving party that a good faith attempt to resolve the matter without Court involvement has been made and shall describe the manner in which the attempt was made.

Competency Motions:  All motions in which a Party is requesting the Court to appoint a doctor for a Court Ordered Forensic Competency Evaluation must be filed with the Clerk of Court. Once the motion has been filed, the Judicial Assistant should be emailed to obtain a Court date. If the Court decides an evaluation is appropriate, the Judge will appoint a doctor(s) from the Court Appointed list of Psychiatrists/Psychologists, and determine a return date for the evaluation. The Party requesting the evaluation shall be responsible for uploading the Order to the Court’s work queue in the E-Portal for signature.

Motion for Discharge, Motion for Speedy Trial, and Notice of Expiration of Time for Speedy Trial: Such Motions are the only motions or notices accepted by the Clerk which do not require a Notice of Hearing. Upon receipt, the Clerk will immediately contact the Judicial Assistant for a hearing and will then notify all necessary Parties.

Motion to Withdraw Capias:  Unless otherwise Ordered by the Court, all motions to withdraw a capias shall be in-person and the Defendant’s presence is required. If the State and Defense are in agreement as to a Motion to Withdraw Capias, the motion should be verified (sworn to) by the filing Party and should specifically identify the person(s) who agreed, whereupon an “Agreed Upon” Order may be submitted for the Court’s consideration, without a hearing.

Motions to Continue: Any motion to continue will be governed by Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.190(f), and must state the grounds for the continuance, must state whether any prior motions to continue have been filed, must be in writing, and must be set and heard prior to the date that is the subject of the request to continue (E.g., the trial date). A motion to continue will be granted only upon a finding of good cause by the Court. Agreed upon continuances of Pretrial or Trial may not be granted by the Court. Motions to continue cases involving in-custody Defendants must be filed at least Forty-Eight (48) hours prior to the Court date in order to cancel their jail transport. Otherwise, Defense Counsel must appear in Court.

Canceling Motion Hearings: The Party who set the motion for hearing should email the Judicial Assistant as soon as possible explaining that the hearing is to be cancelled, copying opposing Counsel.

When Applicable: If a Party wishes the Court to consider any materials, including legal authority, prior to a hearing, copies of such materials must be received by the Court and the opposing Party at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing. Note that simply filing voluminous copies of cases (E.g., a Notice of Filing), without any accompanying explanation as to how said cases are relevant and where the cases are not cited in any of the filings, is discouraged.

Memorandums: Memorandums in support of or in opposition to any pending motion/matter are encouraged so long as they are limited to a maximum of twenty-five (25) pages.

Submitting Documents Previously Filed with the Clerk:  If a Party chooses to submit copies of pleadings or other documents that have previously been filed with the Clerk’s office, only copies of such filed documents (with the Clerk’s filing number on the first page and the date and time of filing inscribed on each page thereafter) should be submitted to the Court.

Artificial Intelligence (“AI”): If any Attorney or unrepresented Defendant uses AI in the preparation of any document, materials, or exhibits (collectively “Documents”), filed with the Clerk or submitted to the Court, said Documents must, in a clear and plain statement: (A) Disclose that AI has been used in the preparation of the Documents and (B) Certify that each and every citation or reference to any case law, rule, statute, or other authority in the Documents has been verified as accurate.

Format for Submitting Materials: PDF or paper copies.

Submission Method: E-mail, U.S. mail, or hand delivery.

Filing a Response or Reply when a matter is set for Hearing : If a party chooses to file a response or reply to a pending motion or other request for affirmative relief, all such responses or replies should be filed no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing. 

Jury Trial - Appearance: Defendant and Defense Counsel must be present for trial, unless otherwise expressly approved by the Court. If Defense Counsel fails to attend trial, the case may be struck from the trial docket. If a Defendant fails to attend trial, a warrant for Defendant’s arrest may be issued.

Jury Selection and Trial Subpoenas: This Division will conduct Jury Selection on Tuesdays at 8:30 am during Trial Weeks, unless otherwise discussed at Pretrial. Please ensure trial subpoenas are issued for the appropriate time period.

Jury Instructions: The State shall email proposed Jury Instructions to the Judicial Assistant no later than 3:00 pm on the Monday of the Trial Week, copying Defense Counsel. Before the Jury Instructions are submitted to the Judicial Assistant, the Parties shall attempt to agree on them. If the Parties cannot agree on the Jury Instructions, they should specifically indicate which Instructions are not agreed to on each page of the objectionable Jury Instruction. Defense Counsel may email to the Judicial Assistant any specially requested Jury Instructions or Jury Instructions that have not been agreed to by the State, no later than 3:00 pm on the Monday of the Trial Week, copying the State.

Jury Trial Witness List: No later than 3:00 pm on the Monday of the week of the jury trial, counsel for the State and Defense Counsel shall furnish to each other, as well as the Court and Clerk, and file via the E-Portal, a list of the names of all witnesses who are expected to testify at the trial of this cause (in order in which they are to be called).

Jury Trial Exhibits: Prior to Jury Selection, Exhibits for Jury Trials shall be pre-marked sequentially and each page of an Exhibit shall be numbered (or Bates Stamped). The Parties shall furnish to each other, and the Court and Clerk, and file via E-Portal, a numbered Exhibit List listing all Exhibits that are anticipated to be introduced at trial. The Parties shall attempt to agree on the admissibility of as many proposed Exhibits as possible prior to the start of the trial.

Jury Trial Exhibits – Review: Prior to Jury Selection, the Parties shall meet to review all Exhibits to be introduced into trial, as listed on the Exhibit List(s). Prior to Opening Statements, the Parties shall confer with their witness(es) to review all Exhibits planned to be referred to during testimony of that witness to ensure identification/ authentication of the Exhibit(s) is completed prior to the witness being called before the jury. No trial shall be delayed or continued because an attorney needs to review an Exhibit(s) with a witness.

Non-Jury Trials: If a Defendant is entitled to a Jury Trial but elects to have a Non-Jury Trial, the Defendant must personally sign and file with the court a Waiver of Jury Trial. A written document requesting a trial date without specifying a Jury or Non-Jury Trial will be deemed a request for a Jury Trial unless a Waiver of Jury Trial form has been previously filed. If a Non-Jury Trial date is to be set at Arraignment, Disposition Hearing, or Pretrial Conference, and a Waiver of Jury Trial form has not been filed, the Defendant must be present to complete said form.

Non-Jury Trial Exhibits: Exhibits for Non-Jury Trials shall be pre-marked sequentially and each page of an Exhibit numbered (or Bates Stamped). The Parties shall attempt to agree on the admissibility of as many exhibits as possible prior to the start of the trial.

Non-Jury Trial Exhibits – Review: Prior to the beginning of the Non-Jury trial, the Parties are directed to meet to review all Exhibits to be introduced at trial. Prior to the beginning of the trial, the Parties shall confer with their witness(es) to review all Exhibits planned to be referred to during testimony of that witness to ensure identification/authentication of evidence is done prior to the witness being called. No trial shall be delayed or continued because an attorney needs to review an Exhibit with a witness.

Trial Objections: All objections made during a trial, or any other evidentiary proceeding, shall be supported by specific statutory authority or case law, which shall be provided to the Court, if requested, at the time of the objection.

Authority During Trial: A paper copy of all cases, statutes, exhibits, rules, or other citations of authority that a Party wishes the Court to consider during a trial must be provided to the Court during trial.

Evidentiary Hearings: All evidence, orders, judgments and other documents intended for use at a Violation of Probation hearing must be filed via E-filing at least Three (3) business days prior to the scheduled hearing.  Notice and copies should also be emailed to opposing Counsel and to the Court. Any updates to the Violation of Probation affidavit regarding completed conditions must be provided to probation at least Four (4) business days prior to the date of the scheduled hearing.

Warrants/Bond:  The Court will not accept stipulated orders to withdraw Violation of Probation warrants or to set bond on a Violation of Probation. A motion will need to be filed and set for hearing.

Credit for Time Served:  Counsel should have Defendant’s jail credit ready before the case is called in Court.

Modify or Terminate Probation: To modify or terminate probation, a motion must be filed with the Clerk. Once filed, the Clerk will contact the Judicial Assistant to obtain a hearing date and time. Once a hearing date and time has been provided, a Notice of Hearing should be sent to all Parties. Most likely, such motions will be set for the Court’s next Violation of Probation docket, where the State and Probation services will be present.  If the State, Defense, and Probation Services are all in agreement to a Motion to Modify or Terminate Probation, the motion should be verified (sworn to) by the filing Party and should specifically identify the person(s) who agree, whereupon an “Agreed Upon” Order may be submitted for the Court’s consideration, without a hearing.  

Format: All proposed Orders shall be submitted to the Court in PDF format via the E-Portal (Uploading Orders & Exhibits to E-Filing Portal). The Court may request a Party to provide a Word copy of a proposed Order, which may be sent via email, copying the opposing Party.

Signature Block: Please ensure that the Judicial signature block on the proposed Order has sufficient space in the signature area for the Court to sign without covering any of the proposed Order’s text.  

Deadline for Submissions: Proposed Orders should be submitted to the Court within Fourteen (14) days of the hearing or ruling. The Party charged with submitting the Order must consult with the opposing Party prior to submission of the proposed Order to the Court. The Parties must make a genuine, good faith effort to agree on the language of the proposed Order.

Cover Letter:  All proposed Orders should be accompanied by a cover letter identifying the case name, case number, hearing date (if any) and affirmatively stating whether the other Parties object or do not object to the form of the proposed Order. It is not sufficient to state that the proposing Party has received no response.

Competing Proposed Orders: If, following a hearing, the Parties are unable to agree to the form of an Order, they should order any available transcript, file a motion for clarification with said transcript attached, and set the matter for hearing.

Agreed Orders: Proposed Orders on agreed-upon relief or relief sought jointly by the Parties should begin with “Agreed Order” in the caption. The Order should state that the Parties agree to the relief stated in the Order, and it should identify the docket entry of the filing that provides the basis for the Order. (E.g. Doc. #)

Information about E-Filing is available from the Hillsborough County Clerk Website; Steps to Upload a Proposed Order to the Florida E-Portal; Viewing Filed Documents (HOVER). Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records (HOVER) provides remote viewing of court records maintained by the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court, as authorized by Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 23-2. In this site, Attorneys of Record and Self-Represented Litigants will have access to search case indexes and view case progress dockets not sealed or made confidential by Florida Rules of Judicial Procedure or court order.  

ADA Accommodations: Please contact:

Administrative Office of the Courts

Attention: ADA Coordinator

800 E. Twiggs Street

Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: 813-272-7040

Hearing Impaired: 1-800-955-8771

Voice impaired: 1-800-955-8770

e-mail: ADA@fljud13.org

Assistant State Attorneys and Assistant Public Defenders: Should be in Court and prepared to proceed with their cases at the Court’s designated start time.

Appearance: All Parties should dress in professional or business attire for court appearances.

Professionalism: The Court expects the highest standards of professionalism, civility, candor, and preparation by all persons. Any attorney, self-represented litigant, witness, or observer displaying inappropriate conduct may be subject to sanctions including but not limited to exclusion from the Courtroom.