Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Administrative Order S-2021-071 governs proceedings during the mitigation of and recovery from COVID-19 pandemic. The following hearings will be held in person, subject to the exceptions described herein.
- All evidentiary hearings are in-person.
- County Civil Pretrial Conference hearings are in person unless waived by the Court
- Jury Trials, non-jury trials, small claims final hearings and summary dispositions trials pursuant to section 51.011.
- Any hearing in excess of 30 minutes
Small Claims Pre-trials
- All Small Claims Pre-trials will be conducted in-person unless your appearance is waived by the Court.
- The Plaintiff must appear in Court on the date and time specified in order to avoid a dismissal. All request to continue the small claims pre-trial date and time must be filed with the Clerk of Court and a courtesy copy must be mailed to the Defendant.
- The Defendant(s) must also appear in Court (Courtroom 304) on the date and time specified in the order to avoid the entry of a default judgment.
- The Plaintiff and Defendant attending the pretrial conference hearing must have full settlement authority and must be prepared to attend mediation on the date and time scheduled by Mediation Services.
- All parties are required to attend Mediation unless excused by the Court.
- If a resolution is not reached after the parties mediate, the matter will be set for a final hearing. Please contact the Judicial Assistant to get a time and date certain for the final hearing in excess of 3o minutes. All final hearings and trials are held in person.
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Please note that “Any proceeding not specifically addressed may proceed either in person or remotely, subject to the presiding judge’s discretion. Additionally, proceeding must be conducted in person if the Court determines that remote conduct of the proceeding is inconsistent with United States or Florida Constitution, a statute, or a rule of court.” See Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Administrative Order S-2021-071.
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ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS:
Zoom may be downloaded free of charge for IOS and Android devices, and it may also be accessed via desktop computer. If you do not have access to an iphone, ipad or similar computer audio/video technology, then you may call in at scheduled time of your hearing by calling: +1-786-635-1003 US. The phone dial-in and Meeting ID may be utilized from any landline, cellular or internet phone. Please enter the following Meeting ID: 334 3847719. Please plan to WAIT PATIENTLY until your hearing is called. You are REQUIRED to appear by phone or video unless your appearance has been waived.
*All parties appearing by video must sign in with their first and last names through the Zoom application, so the Court may recognize them as a participant and join them to the hearing at the appropriate time.
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Court Dates: New court dates and times are released every 30 days on the last Monday of each month, unless it falls on a court holiday - then they will be released on the Friday before the Holiday.
The Court’s calendar remains accessible for scheduling via Jaws. Please note, if there are no dates/times available, please check JAWS frequently for hearing times due to cancellations.
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UMC Hearings
All matters requiring 5 minutes or less
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Please set all matters that require 5 minutes or less through JAWS directly. All matters set for 5 minutes or less may appear utilizing the ZOOM Electronic Video Conferencing app. Please note all parties must be noticed that the hearing will be conducted via electronic means and all parties may appear in the same manner.
*PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION AND AUTOGLASS VS. INSURANCE COMPANY CASES MUST BE SET ON A DAILY 15, 30 or LONGER TIME SLOT.
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Methods of
Conducting
Telephonic/ZOOM
Hearings
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Electronic appearance is permitted for out-of-town counsel for hearings less than 15 minutes utilizing the Zoom app.
The court will conduct all telephonic hearings utilizing the ZOOM Electronic Video Conferencing app. Attorneys are to ensure they have video and audio capability or the matter will be reset. Please note all parties must be noticed that the hearing will be conducted via electronic means and all parties may appear in the same manner.
However, if the matter is an evidentiary hearing requiring testimony and/or the introduction of evidence you must first seek court approval.
Please e-file a motion and upload an order to the JAWS work queue for consideration.
For Video Conferencing please follow the above procedures for ZOOM.
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15 Minute, 30
Minute, and 1 Hour Hearings
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Attorneys: Set through JAWS
Pro-Se Litigants: Email JA with opposing counsel copied or call JA if email is not available.
Hearing dates/times are available in the same manner as noted for UMC Hearings.
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Hearings
Exceeding 1 Hour Including Non-Jury & Jury Trials
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Attorneys and Self-Represented Litigants: All hearings in excess of 1 hour must be approved by the court. Please email your request to the JA with opposing counsel copied.
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Cancelling Hearings within 24 Hours of Hearing
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1) Please e-file the notice of cancellation with the clerk’s office
2) Email the JA a copy of the notice of cancellation.
3) Remove the hearing from JAWS.
PLEASE NOTIFY THE COURT IMMEDIATELY IF THE HEARING TIME IS NOT NEEDED SO THAT THE TIME MAY BE UTILIZED FOR ANOTHER CASE.
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Cancelling Hearings prior to 24 Hours of Hearing
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Scheduling party may cancel through JAWS. However, please email a notice of cancellation to the JA.
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Cancelling Trial and Pre-Trial
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If the case has settled, one of the parties must email the JA with a copy of the joint stipulation or dismissal.
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Scheduling Emergency Motions
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Attorneys: Please e-file the Motion to the clerk of court, then email the JA. You must notifyopposing counsel by providing them a copy of the Motion simultaneous. All request must contain the case number and the amount of time that is being requested.
Pro-se Litigants: File all Emergency Motions and documents for the Courts review with the Clerk of Court and designate that the matter is an “Emergency.”
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Providing Judge with Documents for Hearings
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Deliver a hard copy at least 7 days prior to the hearing.
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How to Upload Orders to JAWS for Electronic Signature
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All orders must be submitted electronically viathe PORTALin PDF format. Call IT if further assistance is needed.
Attorneys MUST mail conformed copies to any pro-se Litigant who is not on the email list.
- Parties may stipulate to a motion. E-file the motion and upload an AGREED ORDER to the work queue through the portal.
- If both sides agree, uncomplicated and or discovery motions may be e-filed with the clerk as well as a response and argument without a hearing. Each side must upload a proposed order reflecting their position to the portal work queue.
- Parties may agree to waive appearance at Pre-Trial Conference by e-filing a stipulation and uploading an order approving same to the portal work queue.
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Mediation
Requirement:
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All parties are required to mediate before the calendaring of a Motion for Summary Judgment.
All matters set for Non-Jury or Jury Trial will mediate prior to the scheduled Pre-trial Conference date.
All cases set for a Final Hearing must mediate prior to the scheduled final hearing date ad time.
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**TELEPHONIC /ZOOM APPEARANCE IS NOT PERMITTED FOR PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE OR DISMISSAL DOCKET.