Judge Pascale Achille
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • Email
Exhibits
- 3 copies
Exhibits, Photographs, Case Law
- 4 copies • At Hearing
Filings > 15 pages
- 1 copy • Hand Delivery • No Later Than 3 Business Days Before Hearing
Adjournments
- Emails or calls to chambers requesting a continuance are not permitted, and agreed continuances are not automatically accepted.
- Continuance motions require contacting the opposing party in advance; agreed continuances are submitted electronically as agreed orders, and contested continuances must be set for UMC hearing.
- Court-set CMCs cannot be canceled or rescheduled without prior court order, and continuances must be set on Motion Calendar.
- +2 more
Request must include
- Motions to continue trial must be set on UMC at least seven business days before trial and must include the client's consent.
Communication
Intake Unit
Chambers
Phone
Intake Unit
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements5 rules
*PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS SUBMITTED AFTER TRIAL SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN WORD FORMAT TO THE COURT VIA EMAIL ALONG WITH ANY PROPOSED PARENTING PLANS/CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES THAT THE JUDGE REQUIRES TO BE SUBMITTED.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed final judgment
All documents are to be uploaded as PDF documents.
- File type
Please pre-mark your trial exhibits using letter format (i.e. A, B, C…).
CASE LAW IS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED as to the specific portions the attorney will refer to WITHIN that case and want the Judge to consider. DO NOT HIGHLIGHT IN THE MOTION WHERE THE CASES ARE CITED
Proposed Orders should NOT contain blanks for the Court to fill in – other than the date and the line for the Judge’s signature.
Document Filing Requirements18 rules
To comply with the above, every party or attorney setting a motion for hearing shall execute the following certification in the Notice of Hearing: I hereby certify that: A. I have made a good faith attempt to resolve this matter prior to my noticing this motion for hearing; and B. The issues before the Court may be heard and resolved by the Court within five (5) minutes.
Emails to the division must include the case style (case number and party names) in the subject line, and emergency motions must be noted in the subject line.
- Document
- Divisional email
Must include
- •Case number
Court's wording
All emails MUST INCLUDE IN THE SUBJECT LINE the case style, which includes the case number and party names. Please double check the case numbers to ensure that the number is correct and that you are emailing the correct Division. If the motion your are emailing is an emergency, please note that in the subject line.
Income Deduction/Withholding Orders require written confirmation that both parties reviewed and approved them, or the order will not be signed.
Court's wording
Please be advised that when submitting these orders, the Court requires written confirmation that both parties have reviewed and approved the Income Deduction Order/Income Withholding Order. The order will NOT be signed if there is no written confirmation provided.
Prior to requesting dissolution by affidavit the following documents must be submitted to the Court as SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS in the CMS system.
Special set hearing requests must be emailed copying all parties with the motion and six required items of information, or the email will not be answered.
Court's wording
After your meet and conferral, please email your request, and you must copy all parties within the email, to Ms. Del Ponte at div33@17th.flcourts.org, along with a copy of the motion(s) with all the attachments, if applicable, you would like to set, and include the following information in your email: 1. Evidence of the parties' good faith attempt to resolve the matter. (The date of your communication with the opposing attorney or self- represented party, the manner of your communication, and the names of the individuals who participated in the communication) 2. A copy of the Motion to be special set 3. Whether the matter is time-sensitive or is entitled to statutory preference; 4. Is this an evidentiary hearing. 5. The amount of time requested by the moving party; 6. The amount of time requested by the non-moving party YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO IF ALL OF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INCLUDED.
In the body of the proposed order granting withdrawal please include the client's last known address, email address and phone number.
All proposed orders should be accompanied by a cover letter indicating if the parties are in agreement to the form and substance of the proposed order. The Court DOES NOT hold orders pending objections longer than three (3) business days, so the cover letter must indicate when and how the proposed order was sent to the opposing party/counsel for review and certify the following: The opposing party/counsel is in agreement to the proposed order The specific objections of the opposing party/counsel That at least three (3) days have passed since the proposed order was sent to the opposing party and no objection has been received prior to the party submitting the order to the Court. Failure to include a cover letter and/or certification will result in the rejection of the proposed order.
You must upload an explanatory cover letter and every proposed order must state whether opposing counsel has agreed to the form and content.
Special set notices of hearing must contain the Local Rule 10A good-faith certification, and direct communication means oral communication only, not email.
Court's wording
In accordance with Local Rule 10A, all special set hearings shall contain the following language in the body of the notice of hearing: I hereby certify that I have made a good faith attempt to resolve this matter by having direct communication about the matter with all parties, prior to my noticing this motion for hearing. In Division 33, direct communication means only oral communication, which includes FaceTime, Zoom, and Telephone, NOT E-MAIL.
Self-represented (or pro se) parties must file a request for a hearing either via email or in writing along with self-addressed stamped envelopes for all parties and send a copy of the request with the Motion to be heard to the Clerk of Courts.
All orders shall include the client’s last known address, telephone number (including area code) and e-mail address and the uploading attorney must affiliate the client’s email address with the case on CMS prior to uploading the proposed order for entry.
If you are requesting a Mediation order, you must send the Standard Mediation Order WITH BOTH parties’ financial affidavits.
If opposing counsel does not respond within two full business days, the hearing may be set unilaterally with the required notation on the Notice of Hearing.
Court's wording
If you have tried in good faith to coordinate a hearing and have not received a response from opposing counsel within two (2) full business days of your contact, you may set the hearing unilaterally. Please note on your Notice of Hearing: “Set Unilaterally Pursuant to Judge Achille’s Procedures.”
Once the hearing is concluded, please submit the Final Judgment through CMS and include the Driver’s License as an attachment.
All documents should be pre-marked with the case number, and a space for the judge to admit the document into evidence.
If your hearing is by Zoom, you must include the Zoom instructions in your Notice of Hearing.
In the Notice, please include the expected length of trial.
Orders approving stipulations must include the executed stipulation as an attached exhibit or incorporate the filed stipulation by reference with its docketing date.
Court's wording
Orders approving stipulations must be uploaded with the executed stipulation attached as an exhibit and referenced in the order, or the stipulation may be filed and the proposed order may incorporate the stipulation by reference with the date it was docketed by the Clerk of the Court.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Emergency motions must be e-filed and accepted by the Clerk before being submitted to the Judge's office.
A. All emergency motions must be E-filed and accepted by the Clerk’s office prior to submitting to the Judge’s office.
Page 1 | 10. REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY HEARINGS
Orders and judgments that have not been agreed to must never be uploaded to CMS.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL ORDERS/JUDGMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AGREED TO BE UPLOADED TO CMS.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
The original Notice of Readiness for Trial must be e-filed with the Clerk's Office when the case is trial ready.
When a case is TRIAL READY, the original Notice of Readiness for Trial (Notice of Trial) must be e-filed with the Clerk’s Office.
Page 1 | 6. SCHEDULING A CASE FOR TRIAL
Proposed and agreed orders may only be uploaded via CMS, without duplicating header/footer content or submitting duplicate orders by mail.
Proposed and Agreed Orders shall only be uploaded via CMS. Please attach Supporting Documents as appropriate. Do not duplicate content that is provided by “Insert Header” and “Insert Footer.” This will be added by CMS. Please do not submit duplicate orders by mail.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
All motions must be e-filed and accepted by the Clerk before being submitted to the Judge for consideration.
All motions must be e-filed and accepted by the Clerk's office before the Motion is submitted to Judge Achille for consideration.
Page 1 | 3. MOTION PRACTICE - GENERALLY
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions for rehearing/reconsideration must be filed and accepted by the Clerk within the time prescribed by rule, statute, or law.
Any motion for rehearing/reconsideration must be filed and accepted by the Clerk’s Office within the time prescribed by Rules, Statute or Law.
Page 1 | 14. REQUESTS FOR REHEARINGS/RECONSIDERATION
Final Judgments may not be submitted until after the hearing takes place.
Please do not submit Final Judgments until after the hearing takes place.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Witness and/or exhibit lists must be filed and exchanged at least 5 business days before evidentiary hearings, or witnesses/exhibits may be stricken.
EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS THAT REQUIRE WITNESS TESTIMONY OR EXHIBITS REQUIRE THE FILING AND EXCHANGE OF WITNESS LISTS AND/OR EXHIBIT LISTS NO LESS THAN 5 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING. ANY WITNESSES OR EXHIBITS NOT PROVIDED MAY BE STRICKEN, AT THE JUDGE’S DISCRETION.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
the opposing party shall submit their objections/requested changes via e-mail in ONE word format with the redlined changes to div33@17th.flcourts.org within three (3) days.
the opposing party shall submit their objections/requested changes via e-mail in ONE word format with the redlined changes to div33@17th.flcourts.org within three (3) days.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Once a matter has been set on the Court's docket, the motion being heard, and any response you would like for Judge Achille to review MUST be uploaded through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS at least two (2) business days after the hearing has been set.
Once a matter has been set on the Court's docket, the motion being heard, and any response you would like for Judge Achille to review MUST be uploaded through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS at least two (2) business days after the hearing has been set.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
A Pretrial Memorandum must be filed five business days before the first day of trial.
In accordance with the Uniform Trial Order, attorneys and self-represented litigants are required to file a Pretrial Memorandum five (5) business days prior to the first day of the scheduled trial.
Page 1 | 6. SCHEDULING A CASE FOR TRIAL
If a party is assigned to draft the proposed order from a hearing, it should be submitted to the court within ten (10) days.
If a party is assigned to draft the proposed order from a hearing, it should be submitted to the court within ten (10) days.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Documents sent to the Court must state they were mailed or emailed to the opposing side or they will be returned as unauthorized ex parte communications.
All documents sent to the Court must state that they were mailed or emailed to the opposing side in the same email or they will be returned as an unauthorized, ex parte communications.
Page 1 | 18. SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES (PRO SE)
The party setting a hearing must provide the Notice of Hearing to all parties or their attorneys, even where a default has been entered, or the matter will not be heard.
The party setting a hearing is also responsible for providing a Notice of Hearing to all parties or their attorneys. Even where a default has been entered, all parties shall receive notice. If a hearing is not properly noticed, the matter will not be heard.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Self-represented parties must designate an email address for service, and until they do, attorneys cannot rely on email service alone and must serve per Rule 2.516(b)(2).
Rule 2.516(b)(1)(C), Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin., now requires, with certain limited exceptions, self-represented parties to designate an email address for service of court documents. However, attorneys are reminded that until the self-represented party serves a designation of a primary email address pursuant to this rule, certifying service via email alone will not suffice; service in these instances must be made in accordance with Rule 2.516(b)(2), Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin.
Page 1 | NOTE REGARDING SERVICE ON PRO SE PARTIES
Parties without an email service address must be served by U.S. Mail by the party submitting the order, with the required language on the service list.
** If there are any parties without an email service address, it is the responsibility of the party submitting the order to serve those parties via U.S. Mail. The following language should be included on the service list: “Petitioner/Respondent will receive a conformed copy via U.S. Mail to the following:”
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Case law must be provided at least 24 hours before a proceeding and copies must be given to opposing counsel/parties in the same format as provided to the Court.
counsel/parties are cautioned to provide case law no less than 24 hours prior to a scheduled proceeding and to ensure that copies of the case law are provided to opposing counsel/parties in the same format as provided to the Court.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Approved electronic orders are served through the E-portal to registered e-service email addresses and will not be mailed.
CMS will send the approved electronic order to the E-portal for service by the portal to all registered eservice parties’ email addresses and any additional email addresses added manually by the filer or judge. Electronic orders will not be mailed.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
If your hearing materials are more than fifteen (15) pages, you must provide a hard copy to the Court no later than three (3) business days before your scheduled hearing. (DO NOT EMAIL, AS IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED) No emailed materials will be considered unless permission is given in advance.
If your hearing materials are more than fifteen (15) pages, you must provide a hard copy to the Court no later than three (3) business days before your scheduled hearing. (DO NOT EMAIL, AS IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED) No emailed materials will be considered unless permission is given in advance.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Pro se parties must file with the Clerk, send a copy to the opposing side, and provide a courtesy copy to the Court.
Please file the appropriate petition or motion with the Clerk of the Court, send a copy to the opposing side and a courtesy copy to the Court in order for requests to be addressed by the Court.
Page 1 | 18. SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES (PRO SE)
A copy of the Pretrial Memorandum must be emailed or hand delivered to chambers upon filing.
A copy of the Pretrial Memorandum shall be emailed or hand delivered to the Judge’s chambers upon filing.
Page 1 | 6. SCHEDULING A CASE FOR TRIAL
A courtesy copy of the filed motion must be emailed to the division when asking the Court to review a filing, because the Court is not notified of Clerk filings.
The Court IS NOT NOTIFIED if you file a pleading with the Clerk's office. If you wish the Court to review a filing, please follow the divisional instructions and email the division, including your request along with a courtesy copy of the filed motion attached.
Page 1 | 1. COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
Parties must submit hard copies of trial transcripts to the Court when submitting proposed final judgments, unless otherwise advised.
UNLESS OTHERWISE ADVISED BY THE JUDGE, THE PARTIES MUST SUBMIT HARD COPIES OF THE TRIAL TRANSCRIPTS TO THE COURT WHEN SUBMITTING THEIR PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS.*
Page 1 | 7. TRIAL EVIDENCE
The Notice of Hearing should be filed and a courtesy copy must be sent out within 24 hours of securing the date and time and served on all parties on the service list or your hearing will be cancelled.
The Notice of Hearing should be filed and a courtesy copy must be sent out within 24 hours of securing the date and time and served on all parties on the service list or your hearing will be cancelled.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
If the case settles, please email the Judicial Assistant at div33@17th.flcourts.org to cancel any hearing or Trial that may be scheduled and file a Notice of Cancellation of Hearing and send a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant so it can be removed from the Calendar.
If the case settles, please email the Judicial Assistant at div33@17th.flcourts.org to cancel any hearing or Trial that may be scheduled and file a Notice of Cancellation of Hearing and send a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant so it can be removed from the Calendar.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Parties must bring at least four copies of any document or photographs offered into evidence and any relied-upon case law.
Bring to the hearing at least four (4) copies of any document (including photographs) you intend to offer into evidence, as well as any case law upon which you rely.
Page 1 | 24. General Practice Procedures
A copy of the Notice of Trial must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at the divisional email.
Please provide a copy of your Notice of Trial to Ms. Del Ponte at div33@17th.flcourts.org.
Page 1 | 6. SCHEDULING A CASE FOR TRIAL
After Clerk acceptance, a copy of the rehearing motion must be sent to the Judge with a proposed order, sufficient copies, and self-addressed stamped envelopes for all parties.
Once the Clerk has accepted the motion, a copy of the motion must be sent to the Judge for consideration, along with a proposed order, sufficient copies and self-addressed stamped envelopes for ALL parties.
Page 1 | 14. REQUESTS FOR REHEARINGS/RECONSIDERATION
Case law submissions over fifteen pages must be provided to the Court in hard copy no later than three business days before the hearing.
If it is more than fifteen (15) pages, you must provide a hard copy to the Court no later than three (3) business days before your scheduled hearing.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Hearing materials (notice of hearing, motion, responses, highlighted case law, and pre-marked evidence) must be provided to the Court in hard copy in a binder tabbed and indexed as soon as possible.
All documents which include the notice of hearing, the motion to be heard and any responses shall be provided with the case law (CASE LAW IS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED as to the specific portions the attorney will refer to WITHIN that case and want the Judge to consider. DO NOT HIGHLIGHT IN THE MOTION WHERE THE CASES ARE CITED) and pre-mark evidence IN A BINDER TABBED AND INDEXED TO THE COURT as soon as possible via hard copy.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
All trial exhibits must be printed out with copies provided for the Clerk, the Court, and all counsel.
All exhibits are to be printed out and there are to be copies provided for the Clerk, the Court, and all counsel.
Page 1 | 7. TRIAL EVIDENCE
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
All “sensitive” information should be redacted per the requirements of Rule 2.425, Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin.
All “sensitive” information should be redacted per the requirements of Rule 2.425, Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin.
Page 1 | 24. General Practice Procedures
Filing Bundling Requirements
No more than two motions may be noticed for each case on any given day except by leave of court.
No more than two motions may be noticed for each case on any given day except by leave of court.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
All matters must be mediated before final hearing, with exceptions for contempt/enforcement, discovery issues, pleadings motions, uncontested matters, and court-ordered hardship/emergency exceptions.
All matters must be mediated prior to final hearing in an effort to resolve the disputed issues without court intervention. All post-judgment matters and temporary support and/or timesharing matters are automatically referred to mediation prior to a hearing. The following hearings may be scheduled without prior mediation: civil contempt or enforcement of support; discovery issues (motions to compel, objections to discovery, etc.); motions directed to the pleadings (seeking to amend, strike, dismiss, set aside, or for default, etc.); uncontested matters (name change, dissolution, etc.); and where the Court has entered an order allowing an exception based upon a hardship, emergency or other exigent circumstances pursuant to a written motion filed with the Court.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS (f) MEDIATION ORDERS
Mediation is required before all Temporary Relief hearings, and no hearing dates will be given until mediation is completed.
Mediation is required for all Temporary Relief hearings, No hearing dates will be given until the parties go to Mediation.
Page 1 | 9. TEMPORARY RELIEF HEARINGS
CMCs, contempt motions, motions to dismiss, and all discovery matters may not be heard on UMC and must be specially set.
CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES, MOTIONS FOR CONTEMPT AND MOTIONS TO DISMISS AND ALL DISCOVERY MATTERS SHALL NOT BE HEARD ON UMC AND MUST BE SPECIALLY SET.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Before setting any hearing on CMS or requesting a special set hearing, the setting party must meet and confer with the opposing party per Local Rule 10A.
Prior to setting a hearing on CMS, and prior to requesting a special set hearing, counsel (or the self-represented party) for the setting or requesting party must meet and confer with the opposing party regarding the matter to be set and the hearing date. The meet and conferral must be in accordance with Local Rule 10A.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Trial continuances will only be considered for good cause on written motion prior to trial, with party consent per Rule 12.460 and Rule 2.545(e).
In accordance with the Uniform Pretrial Order, continuances will only be considered for good cause on written motion prior to trial. Also, please comply with Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.460 and Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Adm. 2.545 (e) regarding party consent.
Page 1 | 3. MOTION PRACTICE - GENERALLY
Continuance motions require contacting the opposing party in advance; agreed continuances are submitted electronically as agreed orders, and contested continuances must be set for UMC hearing.
The moving party must contact the opposing party to determine if they object to the Motion for Continuance in advance of any hearing(s). If the continuance is agreed to by all parties, including the client of the moving party, please submit the agreed order electronically. The Judge will review it and determine whether or not it is approved. If any party objects to the continuance, the motion must be set for hearing on the Court's UMC.
Page 1 | 3. MOTION PRACTICE - GENERALLY
Ex parte motions may not be used to request extensions of time; the motion must be attached as a supporting document.
If there has been a request for an extension of time, an ex parte motion may not be utilized. Attach the motion as a supporting document.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Court-set CMCs cannot be canceled or rescheduled without prior court order, and continuances must be set on Motion Calendar.
Case management conferences that are set by the Court, cannot be canceled or rescheduled without prior Court order. Timely filed continuances must be set on Motion Calendar, no exceptions.
Page 1 | 4. CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES
Emails or calls to chambers requesting a continuance are not permitted, and agreed continuances are not automatically accepted.
Emails or calls to the Judge's chambers asking for a continuance are not permitted. Agreed Continuances are NOT automatically accepted by the Court.
Page 1 | 3. MOTION PRACTICE - GENERALLY
Motions to continue trial must be set on UMC at least seven business days before trial and must include the client's consent.
Any motion to continue trial must be set on UMC at least seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled trial date, and must include the client’s consent to same.
Page 1 | 6. SCHEDULING A CASE FOR TRIAL
Chambers Communication Rules
the drafting party shall send an email to the Judicial Assistant (copying all parties) with the words DISPUTED PROPOSED ORDER in the subject line, and should include a cover letter detailing the disputed provisions of the order.
the drafting party shall send an email to the Judicial Assistant (copying all parties) with the words DISPUTED PROPOSED ORDER in the subject line, and should include a cover letter detailing the disputed provisions of the order.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Scheduling emails must include all parties, the amount of time needed, and a copy of the relevant pleading, and the division email may only be used to schedule matters.
PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL PARTIES ARE INCLUDED ON THE EMAIL AND INCLUDE HOW MUCH TIME YOU WILL NEED FOR THE MATTER AND A COPY OF THE RELEVANT PLEADING(S). THE DIVISION EMAIL SHALL ONLY BE USED TO SCHEDULE MATTERS WITH THE COURT.
Page 1 | 1. COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
The Court must not be included on emails unrelated to scheduling, such as emails where attorneys are litigating with each other.
PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE THE COURT ON ANY EMAILS THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO SCHEDULING. THESE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, EMAILS WHERE ATTORNEYS ARE LITIGATING WITH EACH OTHER.
Page 1 | 1. COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
If a case settles before trial, the scheduling party must immediately email the Judicial Assistant and cancel all future hearings.
If a case is settled prior to the trial date, the scheduling party MUST immediately provide email notification to Ms. Del Ponte, as further described below and cancel all future hearings.
Page 1 | 3. MOTION PRACTICE - GENERALLY
Pro se litigants may not schedule motion calendar hearings themselves and must contact Case Management to schedule hearings.
*PRO SE LITIGANTS SHALL NOT SCHEDULE MOTION CALENDAR HEARINGS. Please contact Case Management to schedule your hearings at 954-831-8532.*
Page 1 | IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER
Self-represented parties must contact the Case Management Main Number for all case questions and guidance.
If you are a self-represented (pro se) party (not represented by an attorney), you must contact the Family Court, Case Management Main Number at 954-831-8532 for all questions and guidance regarding your case.
Page 1 | 18. SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES (PRO SE)
Pro se litigants must contact the Case Management Unit by email or phone rather than the Judge's office.
**Pro se litigants must contact our Case Management Unit via e-mail at ufchelp@17th.flcourts.org or by phone at 954-831-8532
Page 1 | Division Contact Information
Parties may not send letters, emails, or notes to the Judge's office; the Court acts only on filings made with the Clerk.
DO NOT SEND LETTERS, EMAILS OR NOTES TO JUDGE ACHILLE’S OFFICE. The Judge’s Office does not act on letters or notes sent by either party.
Page 1 | 18. SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES (PRO SE)
Relocation filings seeking statutory calendar priority must be immediately copied to the Judicial Assistant by email with the subject line RELOCATION REQUEST.
If a party is seeking to invoke the statutory provision entitling them to priority on the Court’s calendar for a temporary relief hearing (within 30 days of filing the motion) or for a nonjury trial (within 90 days after the notice for trial), then immediately upon the filing of the motion or notice, the party shall copy the subject filing to the Judicial Assistant (Ms. Del Ponte at div33@17th.flcourts.org) with the subject line RELOCATION REQUEST.
Page 1 | 15. Relocation
After Clerk acceptance, a copy of the emergency motion with a proposed order must be emailed to the division with all parties copied.
Once it has been accepted by the Clerk’s office, please e-mail a copy of the motion, along with a proposed order, to div33@17th.flcourts.org for the Judge’s review and consideration. Please be sure to always copy all parties with the e-mail.
Page 1 | 10. REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY HEARINGS
Once your case is scheduled for trial, if your case settles, please email Ms. Del Ponte immediately with a copy of the Settlement Agreement (or its equivalent) and Proposed Final Judgment.
Once your case is scheduled for trial, if your case settles, please email Ms. Del Ponte immediately with a copy of the Settlement Agreement (or its equivalent) and Proposed Final Judgment.
Page 1 | 6. SCHEDULING A CASE FOR TRIAL
Orders changing, cancelling, or scheduling dates may not be uploaded without first receiving written confirmation from the Judicial Assistant.
DO NOT UPLOAD ORDERS CHANGING DATES, CANCELLING DATES OR SCHEDULING DATES WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Ex parte communications and inappropriate copying of the Judge's office are prohibited; such correspondence will be returned and court personnel will not relay messages.
The Judge’s office must not receive ex parte communication and/or be inappropriately copied on communications with anyone, and is not permitted to relay information to the Judge. If the Judge’s Office receives ex parte communication and/or is inappropriately copied on communications, the correspondence or document will be returned and not acted upon. Please do not ask Ms. Del Ponte or other court personnel to communicate any message to the Judge.
Page 1 | 11. EX-PARTE/INAPPROPRIATE COMMUNICATIONS
All correspondence with the Court must be in writing via the divisional email, and parties may not call chambers to schedule hearings.
ALL correspondence with the Court shall be done in writing via the divisional email div33@17th.flcourts.org). Please do not call the Court's chambers to schedule a hearing, as you will be directed to make your request via email.
Page 1 | 1. COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
Interpreter requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at least five business days before the scheduled hearing.
Please contact Ms. Del Ponte at least five (5) business days in advance of your scheduled hearing at div33@17th.flcourts.org to request an interpreter.
Page 1 | 20. INTERPRETERS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROCEEDINGS
To get a hearing date on an objection to a General Magistrate referral, email the division the objection, the motion to be heard, and the time needed.
When a case has been referred to the General Magistrate and is objected to, the following is required to receive a hearing date: Please email div33@17th.flcourts.org a copy of the objection, a copy of the motion to be heard and how much time you will need for the hearing.
Page 1 | 13. ELECTRONIC ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Parties must not send multiple emails about the same matter and must respond using the original email thread.
DO NOT send multiple emails regarding the same matter and please respond to the emails utilizing the original email thread. The result of sending multiple emails will result in a delay in the response to your requests or correspondence.
Page 1 | 1. COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
UMC hearings must be canceled online on CMS, with same or next-day cancellations also emailed to the Judicial Assistant, and only the attorney who set the hearing may cancel it.
If you are canceling a hearing on the UMC docket, please cancel it online on CMS. Filing a Notice of Cancellation does not automatically cancel a hearing online. If you are canceling a hearing that is scheduled for the same or next day, please email Ms. Del Ponte. The UMC hearing can only be canceled by the attorney who set the hearing.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Attorneys scheduling a CMC must submit the e-filed motion to the Judicial Assistant and indicate how much time is needed.
Attorneys wishing to schedule a CMC shall submit a copy of their e-filed Motion for Case Management Conference to Ms. Del Ponte and indicate how much time they wish to have their CMC heard.
Page 1 | 4. CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES
Case law may be submitted to the Court via the divisional email with the case number and motion/proceeding title in the subject line.
Case law may be submitted to the Court via email at div33@17th.flcourts.org with the case number and title of the motion/proceeding included in the subject line.
Page 1 | 5. HEARINGS
Correspondence to the Court: Any communications to the Court, INCLUDING EMAILS, should come from members of the Bar, not staff and must be served OR COPIED on all parties.
Correspondence to the Court: Any communications to the Court, INCLUDING EMAILS, should come from members of the Bar, not staff and must be served OR COPIED on all parties.
Page 1 | 23. ADDITIONAL / MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Technical questions about online scheduling or e-order submission should be emailed to the JIS Department.
If you have technical questions or need assistance with the Online Scheduling System or with the submission of e-orders, please e-mail the JIS Department at: calendar@17th.flcourts.org.
Page 1 | 23. ADDITIONAL / MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION