Judge Elizabeth A. Blackburn
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law
Filings > 25 pages
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Chambers
Document Format Requirements2 rules
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format by email to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at Division40@circuit7.org.
PDF/a format or Word document is preferred, if submitted electronically.
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Zoom meeting information.
A notice of hearing must include the following minimum information: the case style including case number; the date, time, and location of the hearing; the matter(s) to be heard including docket number or filing date of each motion; the judge presiding over the hearing; and 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.
The email must indicate whether all parties are in agreement 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 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) the reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
The email notice for an out-of-county plea must include the county and case number and attach the charging affidavit or VOP affidavit.
Court's wording
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 mpastor@circuit7.org least 24 hours prior to the plea hearing. You must include in your email the county and case number, and you must attach the charging affidavit or the VOP affidavit.
In the email you must include the following: 1. Defendant’s name and the Volusia County case number. 2. The OUT OF COUNTY case number(s) along with the Charging Document(s). If the case is a Violation of Probation, please include the VOP Affidavit. (NOT ALL CASE NUMBERS REFLECT THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE CASE RESIDES, PLEASE INCLUDE COUNTY OF ORIGIN)
Any request by a party for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Exhibits for evidentiary hearings or trial must be provided to the clerk on paper before the proceeding for marking.
All exhibits for evidentiary hearings or trial must be provided to the clerk in paper format in advance of the hearing or trial for marking.
Page 5 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
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
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court at least three business days before an evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than three business days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Proposed orders must be submitted within five days after a hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 5 days after any hearing.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The party scheduling a hearing must file and serve the notice immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served by the party scheduling the hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A cancellation notice must be filed and immediately served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Submissions exceeding 25 pages in total must be provided in paper copies; electronic copies are not permitted.
If the submissions exceed 25 pages in total, paper copies must be submitted, and electronic copies are not permitted.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of case law may be submitted to the Court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law may be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Do not request that the Court accept an out-of-county plea unless the stated procedure has been followed.
Please do not request for this Court to accept a plea from another county unless this procedure is followed.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Out-of-County Plea Requirements — Division 40
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and require a showing of good cause.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, including its restrictions on ex parte and other communications outside the parties’ presence unless authorized by law.
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, ===== PAGE 2 ===== unless authorized by law.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
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
Proposed orders must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at Division40@circuit7.org.
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format by email to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at Division40@circuit7.org.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
To enter a plea in a case pending in Flagler, Putnam, or St. Johns counties, the Clerk’s office and the Court’s Judicial Assistant must be notified by email at least 24 hours before the plea hearing.
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 mpastor@circuit7.org least 24 hours prior to the plea hearing. You must include in your email the county and case number, and you must attach the charging affidavit or the VOP affidavit.
Page 6 | L. Out of County Pleas
Give at least 24 hours’ notice by email to the Plea/Sentencing Judge’s Judicial Assistant to request that the out-of-county cases be added to the docket.
Give a minimum of 24-hour notice by email to the Judicial Assistant of the Plea/Sentencing Judge mpastor@circuit7.org and the Clerk’s office in Volusia County VolusiaCriminal@clerk.org to request the out-of-county case(s) to be added to the docket.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Out-of-County Plea Requirements — Division 40
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email 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: mpastor@circuit7.org.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Emails to the judicial office must identify 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
Hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant, and the subject line must state the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at mpastor@circuit7.org . 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 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
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
Parties may contact the judicial office only in accordance with the stated 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