Judge Kimberly K. Fernandez
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Exhibits, Other Relevant Documents
- Upon request
Courtesy copies
Motion
Extraordinary Writ Petition
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and granted only upon good cause shown; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date and, absent good cause, signed by the requesting party.
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements4 rules
• Format: All proposed orders must be uploaded in PDF format.
- File type
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.
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
• Format: The Court has no particular preference as to the format, except that electronic submissions are preferred to paper copies.
Document Filing Requirements5 rules
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
• Cancelling Hearings: You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately. You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
A motion requesting an emergency hearing must be detailed and state the issues to be resolved, why an emergency hearing is necessary, and the time each party needs to present.
Court's wording
• Requirements: 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.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: State’s Exhibit 1 or Defendant’s Exhibit 1.
- Document
- Exhibits
Must include
- •State’s Exhibit 1 or Defendant’s Exhibit 1
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders must be submitted through the e-Filing portal when the parties agree to the proposed order.
• Submission Method: All proposed orders are to be submitted through the e-Filing portal, only if the parties on the case agree to the proposed order.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All exhibits must be submitted electronically by email to the division email account.
Submit all exhibits electronically by e-mail to the division e-mail account.
Page 5 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Each required plea-related form must be uploaded separately through the E-Portal, with a Waiver of Physical Presence in Court Form required for VOP cases.
Each form must be uploaded as a separate document via the E-Portal. Each individual case number requires each of these forms to be filed separately. VOP cases do not need the Felony Plea Form nor the DNA Form, but a Waiver of Physical Presence in Court Form is required.
Page 7 | Signature on Forms; Filing of Forms
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
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.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All hearing materials must be received by the court at least five business days before the hearing.
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than five business days before the hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders must be submitted within 24 hours after the hearing or after an emailed request from the Court.
• Deadline for Submissions: Proposed orders must be submitted within 24 hours following the hearing or emailed request from the Court.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All exhibits must be received in chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits must be received in chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Page 5 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
All motions must be filed and heard before the pretrial date; motions not heard by then are waived and cannot support a continuance.
All motions shall be filed and heard prior to the Pre- Trial. All motions not heard prior to the Pre-Trial shall be deemed waived and shall not be grounds for a continuance.
Page 8 | Timing of Motions
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A notice of cancellation must be immediately served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
• Cancelling Hearings: You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately. You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The State's written response to a bond-reduction motion must be filed and emailed to the Court and opposing counsel within 24 hours.
A copy of said response by the State shall be filed, and emailed to the Court and opposing counsel within 24 hours.
Page 8 | Bond Motions considered in Chambers by the Court
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Required courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than three business days before the evidentiary proceeding.
• Deadline for Submissions: 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
Courtesy copies of case law, exhibits, or other relevant material may be submitted for an evidentiary proceeding, but become required when the court expressly requests them.
• When Required: Courtesy copies of case law, exhibits, or other relevant things may be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding. Case law and legal authority are appreciated. The only exception is where the court expressly asks for courtesy copies to be supplied, in which case they are required.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Providing a courtesy copy of the motion with a hearing request is appreciated.
A courtesy copy of the motion is appreciated.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy copies should preferably be emailed to the Division with the opposing party copied; hard copies may be mailed or placed in the Division B dropbox.
• Submission Method: Email to the Division—copying the opposing party—is the preferred method. If hard copies are submitted, they can be mailed or dropped off in the Division B dropbox.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and granted only upon good cause shown; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date and, absent good cause, signed by the requesting party.
• Continuance Procedure: Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date. 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).
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
The opposing side must be copied on email communications unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
The opposing side must be copied on the email communication, unless authorized by law, or the communication will be deleted and ignored or, in some circumstances, the violator may be subject to sanctions.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to FelonyDivB@fljud13.org.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to FelonyDivB@fljud13.org.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
An email subject line must identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025-CF-001234 – State v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.)
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearing requests must be submitted by email to FelonyDivB@fljud13.org.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to FelonyDivB@fljud13.org.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office 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
For probation or community-control modification or termination motions, counsel must file the original with the clerk and send a copy to the Division B Judicial Assistant by mail or email.
A copy of the motion shall be mailed or forwarded via email to the Division B Judicial Assistant at felonydivb@fljud13.org, while the original motion is filed with the Clerk’s Office.
Page 7 | Motions To Modify/Terminate Probation/Community Control
After filing a competency-evaluation motion, counsel must email a copy to the Judicial Assistant.
Once the motion has been filed, please email the Judicial Assistant at felonydivb@fljud13.org including a copy of the motion in the email.
Page 7 | Competency Motions
A copy of a bond-reduction motion must be forwarded to the Court through the Division B Judicial Assistant.
A copy of the Motion for Bond Reduction shall be forwarded to the Court via the Division B Judicial Assistant at ===== PAGE 8 ===== felonydivb@fljud13.org.
Page 7 | Bond Motions considered in Chambers by the Court
The email should also explicitly state whether the opposing party opposes or agrees to the motion.
The email should also explicitly state whether the opposing party opposes or agrees to the motion.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
A copy of a motion filed ex parte or under seal must be emailed to chambers.
raised not only by the filing of the motion—ex parte or under seal, if necessary— but a copy of the motion must be emailed to chambers.
Page 5 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters