Judge Barbara R. Duffy
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Motion
- At Least 48 Hours Prior to Hearing
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- 1 copy
Motion for Rehearing
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Notice of Change of Plea
Court-wide
Adjournments
- Hearing cancellations must be requested in writing to the Judicial Assistant at least 2 days before the hearing.
- Continuance requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at least 48 hours before the hearing date.
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
All motions must be filed in writing.
Court's wording
All motions must be filed in writing and courtesy copies provided to the Judge and opposing counsel at least 48 hours prior to the hearing, proper notice sent to opposing counsel and set for a hearing. NOT at CALENDAR CALL.
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
Motions to Withdraw must include a certificate of service to the Defendant and the Notice of Hearing must also include the same. The Court will not hear any Motion to Withdraw where the Defendant is not present and no proper notice has been provided.
- Document
- Motion to withdraw
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Orders submitted to said motions must contain the language, "Agreed Order," in the heading.
- Document
- Order
Must include
- •Agreed Order
Motions to Withdraw must include a certificate of service to the Defendant and the Notice of Hearing must also include the same.
- Document
- Notice of hearing
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Once a date has been set, the attorney setting the hearing MUST file a Notice of hearing. Without a Notice of Hearing the Court may not hear the matter set unless the party opposing the motion agrees to waive the notice requirement.
Agreed Motions must contain a motion indicating the agreement.
Pro se defendants must follow all Florida law, Rules of Procedure, and division policies, but the Court will make accommodations where the pro se litigant has a valid basis for being unable to comply.
Court's wording
While the Court recognizes the importance of self-representation, it is expected that Defendants acting as their own counsel will follow all rules and procedures set forth in Florida law, the Rules of Procedure, and these policies and procedures. The Court will make accommodations as necessary if a pro se litigant has a valid basis for being unable to comply.
Orders which do not require a specific finding of law or factual determinations shall be completed by the party seeking relief. Orders which require findings of fact interpretations of the law will be prepared by the Court.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Agreed motions must be filed via CMS as a supporting document with the Agreed Order or the order will be rejected.
All Agreed motions must be filed via CMS as a supporting document with the Agreed Order. Failure to do so will result in the order being rejected.
Page 1 | Motions/Courtesy Copies
Continuance motions must be filed through CMS, and once a continuance date is provided the updated order must be filed in CMS with the supporting documentation.
All motions for continuance must be filed through CMS. You must send an email to the Judicial Assistant requesting a continuance date at least 48 hours prior to the hearing date. Once a date is provided you can update your order with the new date and file it in CMS with the supporting documentation.
Page 1 | Written Requests for Continuance
Effective 10/1/25, all orders must be sent through CMS with the motion attached as a supporting document or the order will be rejected.
EFFECTIVE 10/1/25: All orders must be sent through CMS with the motion attached as a supporting document. (Please see written requests for continuance) Failure to do so will result in the order being rejected.
Page 1 | Division FD Policies and Procedures
All orders must be filed through CMS with all supporting documentation or they will be rejected.
All Orders must be filed through CMS with all supporting documentation. Failure to do so will result in the order being rejected.
Page 1 | Motions/Courtesy Copies
Motions may be submitted to the Court via email in addition to being filed with the Clerk of Courts.
All motions must be filed with the Clerk of Courts and provided to the Court prior to the setting of a hearing (can be submitted via email).
Page 1 | Motions/Courtesy Copies
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Witness and exhibit lists for evidentiary hearings must be filed and exchanged no later than 5 business days before the hearing, or unlisted witnesses/exhibits may be stricken.
Evidentiary hearings that require witness testimony or exhibits require the filing and exchange of witness lists or exhibit lists no later than 5 business days prior to the hearing. Any witness or exhibits not provided may be stricken, at Judge Duffy's discretion.
Page 1 | Scheduling
Motions must be filed with the Clerk of Courts and provided to the Court before a hearing is set.
All motions must be filed with the Clerk of Courts and provided to the Court prior to the setting of a hearing (can be submitted via email).
Page 1 | Motions/Courtesy Copies
A Waiver of Appearance is valid for 6 months, after which it must be resubmitted as a new form or the Defendant must appear in court.
A Waiver of Appearance is good for 6 months. After 6 months all waivers must be resubmitted as a new form or the Defendant must appear in court.
Page 1 | Written Requests for Continuance
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Motions require proper notice to opposing counsel and must be set for a hearing; they may not be noticed for Calendar Call.
All motions must be filed in writing and courtesy copies provided to the Judge and opposing counsel at least 48 hours prior to the hearing, proper notice sent to opposing counsel and set for a hearing. NOT at CALENDAR CALL.
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Motions/Courtesy Copies
When a written continuance is granted, the attorney is responsible for providing notice to the Defendant.
If a written continuance is granted, it is the attorney's responsibility to notice the Defendant.
Page 1 | Written Requests for Continuance
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of all motions must be provided to the Judge and opposing counsel at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.
All motions must be filed in writing and courtesy copies provided to the Judge and opposing counsel at least 48 hours prior to the hearing, proper notice sent to opposing counsel and set for a hearing. NOT at CALENDAR CALL.
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Motions/Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Calendar Call is limited to trial readiness and negotiated pleas; no other substantive motions or requests will be heard at Calendar Call without specific permission from the Court.
The only matters that will be addressed at the calendar call is trial readiness. Negotiated pleas will also be taken at Calendar Call. No other substantive motions or requests will be heard on Calendar Call without specific permission from the Court.
Page 1 | Trials
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuance requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at least 48 hours before the hearing date.
You must send an email to the Judicial Assistant requesting a continuance date at least 48 hours prior to the hearing date.
Page 1 | Written Requests for Continuance
Hearing cancellations must be requested in writing to the Judicial Assistant at least 2 days before the hearing.
If you need to cancel a hearing you will need to contact the JA in writing at least 2 days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Scheduling
Chambers Communication Rules
All parties must be copied on any communication with the Judge's Office; ex parte communications are not accepted.
Please be advised when responding to an email from the Judge's Office and/or communicating with the Judge's Office, ALL parties MUST be copied as WE DO NOT accept ex-parte communications.
Page 1 | Scheduling
Hearings expected to last more than 30 minutes must be set by contacting the Judicial Assistant.
Any hearing over 30 minutes will need to be set by contacting the J.A.
Page 1 | Scheduling
Hearings not accommodated in court are scheduled by calling Judicial Assistant Kami Rubin at 954.831.5540, with the total time needed for both sides in mind.
To schedule a hearing not accommodated in court, please call J.A, Kami Rubin, at 954.831.5540 or via email at DivFD@17th.flcourts.org.
Page 1 | Scheduling