Judge A. Kathleen McNeilly
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Preferably No Later Than 3 Business Days Before Hearing
Motion
- Email • No Less Than 24 Hours Before Proceeding
Adjournments
- A motion to continue must be filed at least three days before the proceeding.
Communication
Clerk, Chambers
Clerk
Chambers
Chambers
Document Format Requirements5 rules
If the submission exceeds 25 pages in total, paper copies must be submitted, and electronic copies are not permitted.
- More than 25 pages
- File type
- Paper
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format by email to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at division07@circuit7.org.
All exhibits for evidentiary hearings or trial must be provided in paper format to the clerk for marking prior to the hearing or trial, absent a showing of good cause.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
Jury instructions must be submitted in Word Format.
- Jury instructions
Formatting
- •Word Format
Court's wording
A complete set of jury instructions, including the verdict form, must be sent in Word Format by the Assigned Assistant State Attorney to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org by no later than NOON on the Friday preceding jury selection.
If submitted electronically, documents in PDF or Word format are preferred, with each case or other item saved as a separate document.
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
A cross-notice of hearing must indicate that all parties agree to the additional motion(s) being heard and must confirm that there is adequate time to hear the additional motion(s).
All parties must agree to the cancellation.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must also include the Zoom meeting information.
A notice of hearing must identify the case, hearing details, matters to be heard, and time reserved.
Court's wording
A notice of hearing must include the following information: 1) the case style and case number; 2) the date, time, and location of the hearing; 3) the matter(s) to be heard including docket number or filing date of each motion; and 4) the amount of time reserved for the hearing.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made BY MOTION AND PROPOSED ORDER with a Courtesy Copy to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org, and must be submitted no less than 24 hours prior to the proceeding for which the request is submitted.
- Document
- Remote appearance request
Must include
- •Proposed order
The email must indicate whether all parties agree as to the form of the order.
A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues, why an emergency hearing is necessary, and the presentation time needed for each party.
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 issue(s) to be resolved, (2) the reason(s) why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
A complete set of jury instructions, including the verdict form, must be sent in Word Format by the Assigned Assistant State Attorney to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org by no later than NOON on the Friday preceding jury selection. Defense counsel must also send any requested instructions by that same time.
You must include in your email the county and case number, and you must attach the charging affidavit or the VOP affidavit.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A request to appear using communication technology must be submitted at least 24 hours before the proceeding.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made BY MOTION AND PROPOSED ORDER with a Courtesy Copy to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org, and must be submitted no less than 24 hours prior to the proceeding for which the request is submitted.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Court must receive hearing materials at least three business days before the hearing.
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three business days before the hearing.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
After the Judicial Assistant confirms removal of the hearing from the calendar, the requesting party must immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation.
Upon confirmation from the Judicial Assistant that the hearing has been removed from the Judge’s calendar, the party requesting the cancellation must immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders must be submitted within five days after the hearing unless the Court orders additional time.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 5 days after the hearing, unless additional time is otherwise ordered.
Page 4 | C. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The scheduling party must file and serve the hearing notice immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing (or a cross-notice of hearing) must be filed and served by the party scheduling the hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
After the Judicial Assistant confirms removal of the hearing from the calendar, the requesting party must immediately serve a notice of cancellation.
Upon confirmation from the Judicial Assistant that the hearing has been removed from the Judge’s calendar, the party requesting the cancellation must immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A party requesting communication technology for an appearance must submit a motion and proposed order, with a courtesy copy to the Court’s Judicial Assistant, at least 24 hours before the proceeding.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made BY MOTION AND PROPOSED ORDER with a Courtesy Copy to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org, and must be submitted no less than 24 hours prior to the proceeding for which the request is submitted.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A thumb drive may also be used to submit courtesy copies.
A thumb drives may also be used.
Page 4 | D. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies may be delivered by email, U.S. mail, or hand delivery.
E-mail, U.S. mail, or hand delivery of courtesy copies is acceptable.
Page 4 | D. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies are preferably delivered no later than three business days before the hearing.
Courtesy copies shall preferably be delivered to the court no later than three (3) business days before the
Page 4 | D. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of case law and other documents may be submitted for any hearing to either listed Judicial Assistant email address.
Courtesy copies of case law and other documents may be submitted to the court for any hearing to Court’s Judicial Assistant at division07@circuit7.org; or jalbright@circuit7.org.
Page 4 | D. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion to continue must be filed at least three days before the proceeding.
Motions to continue must be filed no less than three days prior to the proceeding for which a continuance is sought.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Court generally will not permit cancellation unless the parties have resolved the issues, but may allow it upon a showing of good cause.
The Court will generally not permit the cancellation of a hearing unless the issue(s) to be addressed has been resolved by the parties except upon a showing of good cause.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Trial continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Requests to continue trial are disfavored and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Page 7 | H. Setting Case for Trial
Chambers Communication Rules
All communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at: jalbright@circuit7.org
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3’s restrictions on ex parte communications, subject to authorization by law.
Ex parte Communications: All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Copies of all hearing notices must be sent to the Judicial Assistant.
Copies of all notices of hearing must also be sent to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
A hearing may not be cross-noticed to add another motion unless all parties agree.
Cross-noticing a hearing to add another motion to a previously scheduled hearing is not permitted unless all parties agree.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Remote appearance is not permitted at docket soundings.
**REMOTE APPEARANCE IS NOT PERMITTED AT DOCKET SOUNDING(S).
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
To request cancellation, email the Judicial Assistant, include the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line, and copy all parties.
To cancel a scheduled hearing, you must email the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org. Again, the subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 102800 CFDB – State v. Smith - 2-Hour Suppression Hearing Cancellation Request). All parties must be copied on the e-mail.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at division07@circuit7.org.
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format by email to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at division07@circuit7.org.
Page 4 | C. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Requests for a case management or status conference must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line, and all parties must be copied unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
A request for a CMC or status conference must be made by e-mail to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org. The subject line must include the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., CASE NO. – State v. NAME – 30 min CMC Requested). All parties must be copied on any email directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 6 | G. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
For a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Putnam, or St. Johns County, the Clerk’s office must be notified by email at least 24 hours before the plea hearing.
Procedure: In order for a Defendant to enter a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Putnam, or St. Johns counties, you must notify the Clerk’s office at VolusiaCriminal@clerk.org and the Court’s Judicial Assistant at jalbright@circuit7.org at least 24 hours prior to the plea hearing.
Page 8 | J. Out of County Pleas
Emails to the judicial office must include the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 102800 CFDB – State v. Smith - 2-Hour Suppression Hearing Requested).
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties may contact the judicial office only as permitted by these practices and procedures.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Only the Court’s Judicial Assistant may remove a scheduled hearing from the Judge’s calendar.
Only the Court’s Judicial Assistant can remove a scheduled hearing from the Judge’s calendar.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures