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