Judge Bradley Harper
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
All Motions
Courtesy copies
Exhibits
Jury Instructions
- 1 copy
Adjournments
- A continuance motion must state the required grounds, opposition status, readiness actions and dates, and proposed ready date, and ordinarily must be signed by the requesting party; continuance is disfavored and requires good cause.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideDuty Judge
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: Insert label preference (e.g., "Petitioner/Plaintiff/State 1" or "Respondent/Defendant 1").
Verdict forms, pretrial stipulations, and jury instructions must use Times New Roman 12-point font and be submitted in WORD format.
- Font
- Times New Roman
- Font size
- 12 points
- Verdict forms
- Pretrial stipulations
- Jury instructions
Formatting
- •WORD format
Court's wording
The parties shall communicate and submit one set of agreed verdict forms, pre-trial stipulations, and jury instructions (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) mailed in WORD format to CAD-DivisionU@pbcgov.org no later than noon on Friday prior to trial week.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Division Zoom link.
- Document
- Notice of hearing
Must include
- •Division Zoom link
Every hearing notice must include the required ADA notification and language confirming counsel's compliance with Local Rule 4.
Court's wording
All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540 and the language that counsel has complied with Local Rule 4.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a document either (1) confirming the agreement of all parties or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
An emergency-hearing motion must detail the issues, reasons emergency treatment is necessary, and time needed for each party's presentation.
Court's wording
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party's presentation.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Self-represented litigants excused from email service may submit proposed orders in WORD format by email, U.S. mail, or hand delivery to the judicial office.
Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court in WORD format by email to CAD-DivisionU@pbcgov.org, U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Unless the Court states otherwise, proposed orders must be submitted within one week after the hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after any hearing unless otherwise stated by the Court.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
All hearing materials, including case law, must be received no later than three business days before the hearing.
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing, including case law, no later than three (3) business days before the hearing.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Pretrial substantive motions anticipated to exceed 10 minutes per side or requiring audio or video redactions should be raised for hearing at least 10 days before Calendar Call.
Any pre-trial substantive motions of more than 10 minutes per side or that may require audio or video redactions of evidence should be brought to the attention of the Court to be heard at least 10 days prior to Calendar Call.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic delivery of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants generally must make and receive service by email through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of motions must be emailed to the division account for any hearing or trial.
Courtesy copies of Motions must be submitted to the Court by email to CAD-DivisionU@pbcgov.org for any hearing or trial.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
The parties must submit one set of agreed verdict forms, pretrial stipulations, and jury instructions in WORD format using Times New Roman 12-point font by noon on the Friday before trial week.
The parties shall communicate and submit one set of agreed verdict forms, pre-trial stipulations, and jury instructions (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) mailed in WORD format to CAD-DivisionU@pbcgov.org no later than noon on Friday prior to trial week.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and each party when needed for a hearing or trial.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial, if necessary.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Parties may submit hearing exhibits together with an emailed courtesy copy of the motion to the division account.
In addition, Parties may submit exhibits necessary for the Court to review in anticipation of the hearing along with a courtesy copy of motion to the division email CAD-DivisionU@pbcgov.org .
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
If the parties cannot agree on jury instructions, they should submit one set containing objections, modifications, or competing instructions alongside each instruction.
If the parties are not able to come to agreement on jury instructions, one set should be submitted with objections, modifications or competing instructions juxtaposed with each instruction.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion must state the required grounds, opposition status, readiness actions and dates, and proposed ready date, and ordinarily must be signed by the requesting party; continuance is disfavored and requires good cause.
Motions for continuance must state with specificity: (1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed; (3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e). Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. Successive continuances are highly disfavored. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
A hearing must be requested by email to the division account only after compliance with Local Rule 4.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to CAD-DivisionU@pbcgov.org. All parties must comply with Local Rule 4 prior to requesting a hearing.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless legally authorized ex parte communication is permitted.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
ADA accommodation requests may be made by telephone, fax, or email using the listed contact information.
If you need an ADA accommodation, please call 561‐355‐4380. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1 (800) 955‐8771. You can also fax (561) 656‐7662, or e‐mail ADA@pbcgov.org.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Other Division Procedures
Primary communication with the judicial office should be emailed to the division account, with a subject line identifying the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
Primary communication to the judicial office should be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionU@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 CF 001234 AMB State v. Smith – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Self-represented litigants and attorneys excused from email service may telephone the judicial office, which does not accept text messages.
Self-represented litigants and attorneys excused from e-mail service may communicate with the judicial office by telephone call to 561-355-1681. The judicial office does not accept text messages. Please note that long distance calls may not be returned.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office