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Court Rules
Judge Denise A. Pomponio
Judge

Judge Denise A. Pomponio

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
25 pgs
DocumentsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Case Law, Proposed Reference Materials

  • Email

Extraordinary Writ Petition

Court-wide
  • Immediately Upon Filing

Financial Affidavit, Exhibits

Court-wide

Guardian Ad Litem Report

Court-wide
  • At Least 48 Hours Before Hearing

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason for RequestProposed New Dates
5Working Daysnotice
48Hoursnotice

Communication

Email

Chambers

deborah.sabella@fljud13.org
Scheduling
Phone

Chambers

813-276-2433
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

legalbailbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

ilbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

bonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide
Scheduling
Filters:

Document Format Requirements3 rules

Formatting

All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.

File type
PDF
Applies to
  • Proposed order
JudgeDenisePomponio · Nov 2025 · p. 3
|SectionD. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Formatting

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.

JudgeDenisePomponio · Nov 2025 · p. 4
|SectionG. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Formatting

Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format, single-sided.

File type
Paper
Applies to
  • Exhibits

Formatting

  • Single-sided
JudgeDenisePomponio · Nov 2025 · p. 4
|SectionG. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Document Filing Requirements3 rules

Filing Requirements

If the parties are in disagreement, the proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.

JudgeDenisePomponio · Nov 2025 · p. 3
|SectionD. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Requirements

Stipulated orders must be reflected as such in the title or body of the proposed order.

Document
Proposed order

Must include

  • Stipulated
JudgeDenisePomponio · Nov 2025 · p. 3
|SectionD. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Requirements

A detailed motion requesting an emergency hearing must state the issues, reasons for emergency relief, 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 3 ===== PAGE 4 ===== 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.

JudgeDenisePomponio · Nov 2025 · p. 4
|SectionF. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Proposed orders must be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.

Order are shall be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.

Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

For a disputed order, each party must email a marked-up Word version of its proposed order to one of the listed court addresses.

If an order is disputed, each party shall submit a marked up Word version of their respective order to JuvDelDivA@fljud13.org, felonydivz@fljud13.org, or deborah.sabella@fljud13.org .

Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

The moving party must file a notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time by the moving party.

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials are due three days before the scheduled hearing.

Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than three (3) days before the scheduled hearing.

Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

All hearing materials must be received at least three business days before the hearing.

The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.

Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures

All exhibits must be received in chambers at least three business days before the evidentiary proceeding.

All exhibits must be received in chambers three (3) business days before the evidentiary proceeding.

Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Proposed orders must be submitted within five (3) business days after any hearing.

Proposed orders must be submitted within five (3) business days after any hearing.

Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Service and Proof of Service Rules

The moving party must serve the notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time by the moving party.

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

A copy of the filed probation motion must be sent to the Probation Officer, the State Attorney, and the Judge.

A copy of the filed motion must be sent to the Probation Officer, the State Attorney and the Judge.

Page 5 | J. Other Division Procedures

A copy of the motion may be mailed or emailed to the JA, while the original motion is filed with the Clerk’s Office.

A copy of the motion shall be mailed or forwarded via email to the JA at deborah.sabella@fljud13.org, while the original motion is filed with the Clerk’s Office.

Page 5 | J. Other Division Procedures

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be submitted to the court.

Courtesy copies of case law and any proposed reference materials shall be submitted to the court.

Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be emailed to deborah.sabella@fljud13.org.

E-mail to deborah.sabella@fljud13.org .

Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Chambers Communication Rules

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e- mail to deborah.sabella@fljud13.org. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested).

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e- mail to deborah.sabella@fljud13.org. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested).

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant, copied to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, and include the case number, motion copy, and requested duration.

Hearings must be requested by e-mail at deborah.sabella@fljud13.org copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing. You must include the case number, a copy of the motion, and length of time you are requesting.

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Parties may not call or email the office to request a status before three weeks have passed after filing.

Please DO NOT call or email our office to ask for a status prior to three weeks after filing.

Page 5 | J. Other Division Procedures

The Judicial Assistant may be contacted by phone, but may not provide legal advice.

You may also contact the Judicial Assistant at 813-276-2433. Please note, the Judicial Assistant is not permitted to give you any legal advice.

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 727 rules apply across Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 259
  • Applies to
    Waiver of jury trial

    A defendant electing a non-jury trial must personally sign and file a Waiver of Jury Trial form with the court.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases form

    A petitioner must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form, using Form 12.900(h), when related cases are pending and known or reasonably ascertainable, except in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases

    Petitioners in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form using Form 12.900(h), even when no related cases exist.

Filing Timing

All 126
  • All motions and notices of hearing must be filed by noon on the business day before the hearing.

  • An attorney of record may not withdraw unless a motion to withdraw is filed, heard, and granted at least 30 days before trial.

  • Deadline
    10 calendar days

    An objection to referral must be filed within 10 days of service of the order of referral.

Service

All 93
  • After obtaining a hearing time, the clerk must notify all necessary parties.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Service
    Email

    The clerk must email motions filed by self-represented defendants to the presiding judge and judicial assistant.

  • Deadline
    2 business days
    Applies to
    Case law

    A party using case law in support of or opposition to a filed motion must provide an electronic copy of the case law, the notice of hearing, and the motion to the presiding judge's office and opposing counsel or party at least two business days before the hearing.

E-Filing

All 68
  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    The law enforcement agency attorney must submit the proposed order through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal using the assigned Clerk's Administrative File number.

  • Applies to
    Motion

    Except for Motions for Discharge and Motions for Speedy Trial, an attorney must e-file a motion for hearing simultaneously with a Notice of Hearing after coordinating the hearing time with the opposing attorney or party.

  • Applies to
    Motion

    Only Motions for Discharge, Motions for Speedy Trial, and Notices of Expiration of Time for Speedy Trial may be submitted without a Notice of Hearing.

About Judge Denise A. Pomponio

The Honorable Denise A. Pomponio


Year appointed to the Bench: 1999


Assignments

  • Circuit Criminal, Drug Division, Juvenile Delinquency

  • County Criminal; Domestic Violence Criminal


Education

  • Law School: South Texas College of Law Houston, Texas

  • Undergraduate: University of South Florida Tampa, Florida B.A., Criminal Justice


Professional Activities

  • Florida Bar Association

  • Hillsborough County Bar Association

  • South Texas College of Law Alumni Association

  • University of South Florida Alumni Association


Community Involvement

  • Hispanic Woman of the Year (Government, 1998)

  • Hispanic Business Womens’ Association

  • Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention

  • Instructor, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA. (A.T.F.)

  • International Association of Arson Investigators

  • Instructor, Florida Fire College

  • Florida Prosecuting Attorneys’ Association (FPAA)

  • Legal Counsel, Hillsborough County Arson Task Force

  • Counselor, Camp Hopetake (Burn Survivor Camp)

Edgecomb Courthouse

  • 800 E. Twiggs St., Room #426
  • Tampa, Florida 33602
  • Courtroom #30
  • Judicial Assistant: Deborah Sabella
  • Phone: (813) 276-2433
  • Email: Deborah.sabella@fljud13.org
Common questions about Judge Denise A. Pomponio's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Denise A. Pomponio?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for case laws and proposed reference materials. Details: by email. Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be emailed to deborah.sabella@fljud13.org.

View ruleSource: page 3, section E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Denise A. Pomponio?

Judge Denise A. Pomponio's formatting rule includes file format PDF. Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Denise A. Pomponio?

A stipulated order must be identified as stipulated in its title or body.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What must be included with emergency hearing motion filings before Judge Denise A. Pomponio?

A detailed motion requesting an emergency hearing must state the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party's presentation.

View ruleSource: page 4, section F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters

How may parties contact Judge Denise A. Pomponio's chambers?

The rule lists email deborah.sabella@fljud13.org. All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e- mail to deborah.sabella@fljud13.org. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested).

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Is electronic filing required before Judge Denise A. Pomponio?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. For a disputed order, each party must email a marked-up Word version of its proposed order to one of the listed court addresses.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What filing deadlines does Judge Denise A. Pomponio set?

All hearing materials must be received at least three business days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 3, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What service or proof of service rules apply before Judge Denise A. Pomponio?

A copy of the filed probation motion must be sent to the Probation Officer, the State Attorney, and the Judge.

View ruleSource: page 5, section J. Other Division Procedures
Complete rules summary for Judge Denise A. Pomponio

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e- mail to deborah.sabella@fljud13.org. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested).

The moving party must file a notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.

Hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant, copied to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, and include the case number, motion copy, and requested duration.

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be emailed to deborah.sabella@fljud13.org.

The Judicial Assistant may be contacted by phone, but may not provide legal advice.

All hearing materials must be received at least three business days before the hearing.

Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.

A stipulated order must be identified as stipulated in its title or body.

For a disputed order, each party must email a marked-up Word version of its proposed order to one of the listed court addresses.

Proposed orders must be submitted within five (3) business days after any hearing.

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be submitted to the court.

A detailed motion requesting an emergency hearing must state the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party's presentation.

Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk in single-sided paper format.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of every exhibit for the clerk, court, and each party.

All exhibits must be received in chambers at least three business days before the evidentiary proceeding.

A copy of the filed probation motion must be sent to the Probation Officer, the State Attorney, and the Judge.

A copy of the motion may be mailed or emailed to the JA, while the original motion is filed with the Clerk’s Office.

Parties may not call or email the office to request a status before three weeks have passed after filing.

A disputed proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying the parties' disagreement.

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials are due three days before the scheduled hearing.

Proposed orders must be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.

The moving party must serve the notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.

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