Judge Laura Anne Stuzin
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • On Day of Trial
Motion
- 1 copy • On Day of Trial
Motion for Return of Property
- 1 copy
Motion to Increase or Reduce Bond
- 1 copy
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Fax
Chambers
Chambers
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
JAC indigency motions must be submitted to Chambers with supporting documentation, JAC's response, and a proposed order, and may be entered without a hearing unless JAC requests one or the Judge has concerns.
- Document
- JAC indigency motion
Include
- •Proposed order
Court's wording
Submit the Motion to have Defendant Declared Indigent for Costs along with supporting documentation, JAC's response, and a proposed order, to Chambers. If JAC does not request a hearing, the Court may enter the proposed order without a hearing after reviewing the documents. If JAC requests a hearing, or if Judge Stuzin has concerns after reviewing the Motion and supporting documentation, the JA will set the Motion on calendar for hearing.
Judge Stuzin does not automatically grant termination or modifications of Probation or Community Control at the midway point. A party requesting to modify or terminate probation shall file a Motion to Modify or Terminate.
You must include the Probation Officer(s), the State Attorney and - if applicable- the victim's position in the motion.
If there is an objection, please include a copy of the original A-form and the defendant's criminal history.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The original motion must be filed with the clerk's office before a hearing request is sent to the JA.
The original motion must be filed with the clerk's office first.
Page 1 | Procedures for Placing Motions on Calendar
Suppression motions must be filed no later than 10 days before trial and will be heard the week of trial unless the Court sets a special set date.
All motions must be filed well in advance of trial and no later than 10 days prior to trial. They will be heard the week of trial unless the Court indicates other wise and sets a special set date.
Page 2 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Suppression Motions
Filing a motion on the date of trial results in a continuance attributed to the filing party.
Filing of motions the date of trial will result in a continuance attributed to the filing party.
Page 2 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Suppression Motions
Motions in limine must be filed in writing by the Thursday before trial or, absent good cause, the Court may deny them.
Motions in Limine must be filed in writing the Thursday before trial. Failure to do so, absent of good cause, is sufficient basis for the Court to deny the Motion.
Page 2 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Limine Motions
No motion is required for an Arthur Hearing, but both parties are strongly encouraged to provide all hearing evidence (videos, transcripts, etc.) to the Court at least 3 days before the hearing.
Although neither party is required to file a motion, Judge Stuzin strongly encourages both sides to provide any videos, transcripts, evidence, etc., upon which the parties will rely at the Arthur Hearing at least three (3) days prior to the Hearing. The more voluminous the materials, the earlier they should be provided to the Court.
Page 3 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Arthur Hearings
If you have case law, provide it before the hearing.
If you have case law, provide it before the hearing.
Page 4 | Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Add the division email F006@jud11.flcourts.org to your service list so Chambers receives copies of motions submitted through e-filing.
Please add F006@jud11.flcourts.org (Division email) to your service list to ensure Chambers receives copies of motions submitted through e-filing.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | E-SERVICE/E-COURTESY
Defense counsel must present proof the return-of-property motion was served on the law enforcement agency, via certified mail return receipt, fax confirmation, or agency receipt.
Defense Counsel must present proof that the motion was submitted to the law enforcement agency holding the property. This can be accomplished by (1) sending the motion to the agency by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested and bringing the green return receipt post card to court; (2) faxing the motion to the agency and bringing a fax confirmation printout to court; or (3) obtaining a receipt from the agency verifying they were served with the Motion.
Page 3 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Return of Property
Courtesy Copy Requirements
If motions are filed after the sounding, please send chambers a courtesy copy to address on the day of trial.
If motions are filed after the sounding, please send chambers a courtesy copy to address on the day of trial.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | MOTIONS FILED AFTER SOUNDING
Counsel must add the division email F006@jud11.flcourts.org to their service list so Chambers receives email copies of e-filed motions, since the Clerk's Office does not provide them.
The Clerk's Office does not provide Judge Laura Anne Stuzin with copies of motions which Counsel submits. Please add F006@jud11.flcourts.org (Division email) to your service list to ensure Chambers receives copies of motions submitted through e-filing.
Page 1 | Method of Providing Courtesy Copies
Seal/expunge motions must be filed with the Clerk's office and a copy sent to chambers.
File the original with the Clerk's office and send a copy to chambers.
Page 2 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Seal/Expunge
Suppression motions must be filed with the Clerk's office and a copy sent to chambers via email.
File the original with the Clerk's office and send a copy to chambers via email.
Page 2 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Suppression Motions
Motions to increase or reduce bond must be filed with the Clerk's office with a copy sent to chambers.
i. INCREASE/REDUCE BOND: File the original with the Clerk's office and send a copy to chambers.
Page 3 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Increase/Reduce Bond
Motions for return of property must be filed with the Clerk's office with a copy sent to chambers.
g. RETURN OF PROPERTY: File the original with the Clerk's office and send a copy to chambers.
Page 3 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Return of Property
If motions are filed after the sounding, please send chambers a courtesy copy to address on the day of trial.
If motions are filed after the sounding, please send chambers a courtesy copy to address on the day of trial.
Page 4 | Soundings - Motions Filed After Sounding
Filing Bundling Requirements
Counsel should attach at minimum the A-form and the defendant's prior criminal history, plus any other supporting documents, to a motion to increase or reduce bond.
Counsel should, at a minimum, attach a copy of the A- form and defendant’s prior criminal history, to the Motion, along with any other documents Counsel wants Judge Stuzin to consider in increasing or reducing bond.
Page 3 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Increase/Reduce Bond
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Defense Counsel should first present the documentary proof to the State and inquire whether the State will stipulate the defendant has satisfied the Nebbia requirements. If there is no stipulation, submit the documents to chambers and the JA will email the attorney's office with the date for the Nebbia hearing.
Defense Counsel should first present the documentary proof to the State and inquire whether the State will stipulate the defendant has satisfied the Nebbia requirements. If there is no stipulation, submit the documents to chambers and the JA will email the attorney's office with the date for the Nebbia hearing.
Page 2 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Nebbia Motions
Before requesting an Arthur Hearing, defense counsel must first confer with the assigned ASA to verify the State will not agree to pretrial release conditions.
Defense Counsel must first speak with the assigned ASA to verify that the State will not agree to any pretrial release conditions.
Page 3 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Arthur Hearings
Soundings are held on all cases ten days before trial, on a Thursday.
Judge Stuzin has soundings on all cases ten days prior to trial on a Thursday.
Page 4 | Soundings
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
After sounding, outstanding discovery and trial-readiness issues are handled on the day of trial and parties may not request an earlier hearing date; the only exception is special set trials, for which the Court will set a continuance motion after sounding and before the trial date.
If after a sounding, a party believes there is still outstanding discovery, they are no longer ready for trial or they believe the other side is not ready for trial because they filed last minute witnesses and/or motions, all those issues will be handled the day of trial. Please do not request an earlier hearing date.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | MOTIONS FILED AFTER SOUNDING
Issues arising after the sounding (outstanding discovery, trial readiness, late witnesses or motions) will be handled the day of trial, and parties must not request an earlier hearing date.
The purpose of a Sounding is to address motions to compel, trial readiness and continuances. If after a sounding, a party believes there is still outstanding discovery, they are no longer ready for trial or they believe the other side is not ready for trial because they filed last minute witnesses and/or motions, all those issues will be handled the day of trial. Please do not request an earlier hearing date.
Page 4 | Soundings - Motions Filed After Sounding
Counsel must bring discovery non-compliance to the Court's attention, and the Court may deny continuances if counsel has not filed Motions to Compel.
If witnesses are not appearing for deposition, or the opposing party is not meeting its discovery obligations, it is Counsel's responsibility to bring the matter to the attention of the Court. The Court may deny continuances in these circumstances if counsel has not filed Motions to Compel.
Page 4 | Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures
Continuance motions may be made ore tenus at Sounding or calendared before Sounding; those filed after Sounding are addressed the day of trial, except for special set trials where the Court will set the motion between Sounding and trial.
Motion for Continuance may be made ore tenus at Sounding or may be placed on calendar prior to Sounding. Motions for continuances filed after Sounding will be addressed the day of Trial. The only exception is for special set trials. The Court will set a motion for continuance after the Sounding and before the trial date if the trial has been special set.
Page 2 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Continuances
For special set trials only, the Court will set a motion for continuance between the sounding and the trial date.
The only exception to this rule is for special set trials. The Court will set a motion for continuance after the sounding and before the trial date if the trial has been special set.
Page 4 | Soundings - Motions Filed After Sounding
Chambers Communication Rules
To schedule a hearing, email the request with a copy of the motion to the Judicial Assistant at jmartinez@jud11.flcourts.org including all parties; the JA will confirm a hearing date by email.
To place a case on Judge Stuzin's calendar, please email your request and copy of the motion to jmartinez@jud11.flcourts.org. All parties to the case must be included in the email. Upon review of the motion, the Judicial Assistant will respond via email confirming a hearing date.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | PLACING CASES ON CALENDAR
Requests to set a hearing must not be sent to the division email (F006@jud11.flcourts.org).
Please DO NOT send emails to the division email for requests to set a hearing.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | PLACING CASES ON CALENDAR
Emails to the Judge or JA about a case must copy all counsel and include a contact number.
If you write the Judge or JA about a case, you must copy all counsel in the same email. Also provide a contact number.
Page 1 | Judicial Assistant's Name & Email
To place a motion on calendar, email the JA a hearing request with a copy of the motion, and the JA will email back a hearing date.
Send the request for a hearing and a copy of the motion to the JA by email. The JA will send you a hearing date via email.
Page 1 | Procedures for Placing Motions on Calendar
Please copy the Judicial Assistant on any e-mails regarding Court business.
Please copy the Judicial Assistant on any e-mails regarding Court business.
Page 1 | Judge's Name
If the parties cannot reach agreement on pretrial release, defense counsel may email the judicial assistant to request an Arthur Hearing date.
If the parties cannot reach agreement, Defense Counsel may email the JA to request hearing date for an Arthur Hearing.
Page 3 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Arthur Hearings
To schedule a plea, email the judicial assistant, who will provide a calendar date (pleas are taken every day).
Judge Stuzin takes pleas every day. To put a case on calendar for plea, email the JA and she will give you a calendar date.
Page 4 | Policies Regarding Pleas
Parties may call chambers at (305) 548-5769 and speak with the Judicial Assistant or Bailiff for guidance or questions.
You may call chambers at (305)548-5769 and speak with the Judicial Assistant or Bailiff for guidance or questions.
Criminal cases
Page 1
Chambers can be reached at 1351 N.W. 12th Street, Room 413, Miami, FL 33125, phone (305) 548-5769, fax (305) 548-5607, division email F006@jud11.flcourts.org, and Zoom ID 984 0974 7407.
CHAMBER'S INFORMATION a. Address: 1351 N.W. 12th Street, Room 413, Miami, FL 33125 b. Phone #: (305) 548-5769 c. Fax #: (305) 548-5607 d. Division Email: F006@jud11.flcourts.org e. Division Zoom ID: 984 0974 7407
Page 1 | Chamber's Information
If a motion is agreed to, a proposed agreed order may be emailed to the JA along with the motion.
If the motion is agreed to, you may send a proposed agreed order along with the motion to the JA via email.
Page 1 | Procedures for Placing Motions on Calendar
For seal/expunge motions, the JA will email the attorney's office with the date the motion will be on calendar.
The JA will email the attorney's office with the date that the motion will be on calendar.
Page 2 | Policies and Procedures for Specific Motions - Seal/Expunge