Judge Aaron J. Peacock
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Amended Notice of Hearing, Cross Notice of Hearing
Court-wideMotion
Court-wide- Within 10 Days After Service
Notice of Hearing
Court-wideObjection to Order of Referral to General Magistrate
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements19 rules
Each party shall provide the Court with hardcopy printed exhibits.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
There can be no characters or verbiage, or use of the tab key or space bar, before or after the codes.
The Date and Signature codes must be on their own line and in all capital letters with all four letters in each field.
PROPOSED ORDER Word document (.docx). Do not include any specific formatting – text boxes, macros, headers, footers, etc.
- File type
- Word
COVER LETTER PDF format
- File type
Emergency orders can be submitted directly to the JA for review/signature, in WORD format, with all parties copied with the email submission.
- File type
- Word
Proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word, with 1” margins all the way around, and in the .docx format (all lower-case letters, file name, no other punctuation, and .docx file extension).
- File type
- Word
- Margins
- 1 inch
Case law/memoranda must be delivered in paper format to the Court and opposing copied at least 5 days prior to the Court event.
- File type
- Paper
a. You must use the date and signature codes as pairs (e.g., JJJJ & DDDD for Judge’s signature)
4) CCCC = Service List (standalone – is not paired with a corresponding date code)
Do not change document margins or add indentations to position the codes.
b. Signature codes (JJJJ, GGGG, AAAA) must be on their own line. There can be no characters of any sort (including spaces or tabs) on the same line before or after the signature codes.
d. These codes should only be used once per line. Two codes per line will not work.
Signature codes may only be positioned using the align-left, center, or align-right features in Word.
c. The codes must be all capital letters with all four letters for each field.
The Signature code, JJJJ, must be aligned left, center, or right.
such as tables, columns, text boxes, macros, headers, footers, etc. These may cause the order to be rejected.
As a courtesy, please minimize unnecessary line spacing or page breaks since the clerk charges on a per-page basis.
(Yellow highlighting is for illustration purposes only and should not be used in an actual order.)
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
All Evidentiary court events require an in-person appearance.
Parties must appear in person or file a written motion requesting remote attendance and have prior approval of the Court for remote appearance.
The order cannot be signed without them and will be rejected. Brevard e-portal filings require DJMCA codes on proposed orders.
Each filing must contain a Cover Letter and only one proposed order.
- Document
- Filing
Must include
- •Proposed order
The case style must reference to the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, i.e., IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE 18TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA.
Orders must include the specified certification and service language, including the conditional service obligation and signed certificate requirement.
Court's wording
Orders must also contain the following language: I HEREBY CERTIFY that copies have been furnished via e-service. If there is no e-mail/eservice authorization in the record, the moving party is responsible for service of all non-registered pro- se parties within 5 days from the date of e-service of the Order/Judgment. The Plaintiff shall: Furnish a copy of this Order/Judgment to each self-represented party by US Mail, first class, postage paid; and file a certificate signed by Counsel that delivery of the Order/Judgment has been made as set forth herein.
Use the phrase “Done and Ordered” as the last portion of the order for the Judge’s signature and date codes.
Be sure to include the hearing date in the proposed order if appropriate.
The moving party shall be responsible for the preparation of any orders following the hearing, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
Be sure to schedule ample time for the hearing and include the duration of the hearing in the Notice.
There can be attachments to the proposed order.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders must be e-filed through the Proposed Documents section.
All proposed orders must be e-filed through the Proposed Documents section of the
Page 2 | E-Portal Submission of Proposed Orders
Stipulated motions must be e-filed and copied to the opposing side or sides.
Stipulated motions must be e-filed and copied to the opposing side(s).
Page 2 | Motions
Emergency orders may be emailed directly to the Judicial Assistant for review and signature in Word format, with all parties copied.
Emergency orders can be submitted directly to the JA for review/signature, in WORD format, with all parties copied with the email submission.
Page 3 | FILING REQUIREMENTS
Do not submit a proposed order through the portal until the corresponding documents have been accepted by the clerk’s office.
Please DO NOT submit proposed orders into the portal until after the respective documents have been accepted by the clerk’s office.
Page 3 | FILING REQUIREMENTS
An order whose language the parties agree on may be submitted to the Court through the E-portal.
If the parties agree to the language of an order, it may be submitted to the Court via the E-portal.
Page 2 | E-Portal Submission of Proposed Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Once a hearing time is coordinated and confirmed, the moving party must immediately e-file the notice of hearing and email a copy to the Judicial Assistant.
When hearing time is coordinated and confirmed, the moving party must immediately e-file the Notice of Hearing and email a copy to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 3 | Hearing times/JACS
Case law and memoranda must be delivered in paper format to the Court at least five days before the Court event.
Case law/memoranda must be delivered in paper format to the Court and opposing copied at least 5 days prior to the Court event.
Page 4 | Case Law/Memorandum of Law
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Stipulated motions must be copied to the opposing side or sides.
Stipulated motions must be e-filed and copied to the opposing side(s).
Page 2 | Motions
Exhibits must be delivered to the Court at least three business days before the hearing begins.
Exhibits shall be delivered to the Court at least three (3) business days before the scheduled commencement date of the hearing.
Page 2 | Evidentiary Hearings/Trials
At least five full business days before the hearing, parties must exchange exhibits and confer about each exhibit’s admissibility; they are encouraged to agree on the admissibility of all evidence.
The parties must exchange exhibits and confer about the admissibility of each exhibit at least five (5) full business days prior to the hearing; The parties are encouraged to reach an agreement as to the admissibility of all evidence.
Page 2 | Evidentiary Hearings/Trials
Orders prepared following a hearing must be submitted to the opposing party for review before submission to the Court.
All such orders shall be submitted for review to the opposing party prior to submitting the same to the Court.
Page 2 | E-Portal Submission of Proposed Orders
The filer must select themself in the e-service list.
Filer must select himself/herself in the e-service list.
Page 3 | FILING REQUIREMENTS
The Plaintiff must mail the order or judgment to each self-represented party by first-class, postage-paid U.S. Mail and file a certificate signed by counsel confirming delivery.
The Plaintiff shall: Furnish a copy of this Order/Judgment to each self-represented party by US Mail, first class, postage paid; and file a certificate signed by Counsel that delivery of the Order/Judgment has been made as set forth herein.
Page 3
If there is no e-service authorization in the record, the moving party must serve non-registered pro se parties within five days after e-service of the order or judgment.
If there is no e-mail/eservice authorization in the record, the moving party is responsible for service of all non-registered pro- se parties within 5 days from the date of e-service of the Order/Judgment.
Page 3
Parties must deliver case law and memoranda in paper format to the Court and copy opposing counsel at least 5 days before the Court event.
Case law/memoranda must be delivered in paper format to the Court and opposing copied at least 5 days prior to the Court event.
Page 4 | Case Law/Memorandum of Law
Failure to timely e-file and serve the notice of hearing on the opposing party may result in cancellation of the hearing.
Failure to timely e-file a Notice of Hearing with service upon opposing ===== PAGE 4 ===== may result in the cancellation of the hearing.
Page 4 | Hearing times/JACS
Filing Fees and Waivers
The clerk charges on a per-page basis.
As a courtesy, please minimize unnecessary line spacing or page breaks since the clerk charges on a per-page basis.
Page 5 | DJMCA FORMAT
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A notice of conflict does not automatically continue a matter; parties must file a motion for continuance and schedule a hearing unless the continuance is stipulated.
A Notice of Conflict DOES NOT constitute an automatic continuance. Parties must file a Motion for Continuance and schedule a hearing – unless the continuance is stipulated.
Page 1 | Attendance Policies
Chambers Communication Rules
Emails to the Court must copy the opposing side, and ex parte communication is prohibited.
The opposing side must be copied on the email to the Court. No ex parte communication is allowed.
Page 2 | Emailing the Court
A copy of the e-filed motion and proposed order must be emailed directly to the judicial assistant.
A copy of the e-filed motion and proposed order is to be emailed to the JA directly.
Page 2 | Motions
The moving party must email the Judicial Assistant a copy of the notice of hearing after the hearing time is coordinated and confirmed.
When hearing time is coordinated and confirmed, the moving party must immediately e-file the Notice of Hearing and email a copy to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 3 | Hearing times/JACS
Pro se litigants requesting an uncontested dissolution hearing must contact the Clerk’s Pro Se Coordinator several days before the hearing to review and confirm required documents.
For Uncontested Dissolution of Marriage hearing requests, pro se litigants must contact the Pro Se Coordinator at the Clerk’s office to review and confirm you have all the needed documents and paperwork required to go forward with the hearing several days prior to the hearing date.
Page 4 | Pro Se Litigants
Emails to the judicial assistant must include the case style and case number in the subject line and a complete signature line with a phone number.
Please provide the case style and case number in the subject line when emailing the JA. We also need a complete signature line with a phone number.
Page 2 | Emailing the Court
The email should reflect a stipulation/agreement and a copy opposing.
The email should reflect a stipulation/agreement and a copy opposing.
Page 2 | Motions
Requests involving media, video, USB, or audio must be coordinated through Court Technology and Court Administration.
Media, video, USB, or audio requests need to be coordinated through Court Technology and Court Administration.
Page 2 | Evidentiary Hearings/Trials
Failure to contact the Pro Se Coordinator as required may result in the hearing being canceled or reset.
Failure to do so may result in your hearing being canceled or reset.
Page 4 | Pro Se Litigants
Before the Court date, litigants are requested to email the Clerk to obtain the docket for the cases they will appear on or cover.
Prior to the Court date, litigants are requested to contact the Clerk by email (provided below) to obtain the docket for your case(s) that you are appearing on or covering.
Page 4 | Pro Se Litigants
Contact the Judicial Assistant directly about emergency hearing requests, insufficient hearing availability, lengthy hearing requests, or cases needing special attention.
Please contact the JA directly if there is an emergency hearing request, insufficient available hearing times, a lengthy hearing time request, or a case that needs special attention.
Page 4 | Hearing times/JACS
Email is the preferred way to contact the judicial assistant; the office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and after-hours emails will be addressed the next business day.
Email is the preferred method to contact the JA. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Emails after hours will be addressed the next business day. tina.derwitsch@flcourts18.org.
Page 1 | Policies/Procedures
Contact the presiding judge’s Judicial Assistant for scheduling needs.
Contact the presiding judge’s Judicial Assistant for your scheduling needs.
Page 1 | How to sign up for a JACS Account
Contact the Judicial Assistant if the desired docket is not listed in JACs.
If you don’t see the docket you are looking for within the JACs list, please get in touch with the Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | Scheduling Hearings