Judge Lawrence M. Lefler
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Proposed Reference Materials
- No Later Than 3 Days Before Scheduled Hearing
Exhibits
Extraordinary Writ Petition
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Financial Affidavit, Exhibits
Court-wide
Communication
Other Contacts3 contacts
Chambers2 contacts
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format, single-sided.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Single-sided printing
Stipulated orders must be reflected as such in the title or body of the proposed order.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •The order must be identified as stipulated in its title or body
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.
- File type
- Proposed order
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
A request for an emergency hearing must be made by a detailed motion stating 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 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.
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.
If you file a probation motion, fill out the form requesting termination / modification of probation and file your motion with the Clerk of Court.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
For a disputed order, each party must email a marked-up Word version of its proposed order to the Judicial Assistant.
If an order is disputed, each party shall submit a marked up Word version of their respective order to Maya.delconte@fljud13.org.
Page 3 | C. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Orders must be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.
Order are shall be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.
Page 3 | C. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions set for hearing on the day of trial without court permission are struck, and no oral motions will be heard on the trial day.
Any motions filed and set for hearing the day of trial without the Court’s permission, are hereby struck. There will be no oral motions heard the day of trial.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The moving party must file and serve 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
All motions must be filed and heard before the pretrial conference unless the court determines good cause; otherwise, the motion will be considered abandoned.
ALL MOTIONS SHALL BE FILED AND HEARD PRIOR TO THE PRETRIAL CONFERENCE, unless the Court determines good cause. Any motion not filed and heard before the pretrial conference shall be considered abandoned.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All hearing materials must be received by the court no later than 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 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All exhibits must be received in chambers three business days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits must be received in chambers three (3) business days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Page 3 | F. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Proposed orders must be submitted within five business days after the hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within five (5) business days after any hearing.
Page 3 | C. Submission of Orders and Judgments
A probation motion filed fewer than 10 business days before its hearing must be assigned to the following month's hearing.
If the filing date is less than 10 business days from the hearing date, please choose the following month.
Page 4 | G. Other Division Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
All parties must be copied on emails sent 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 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The Probation Officer must be notified before filing a motion to terminate or modify probation.
Please make sure the Probation Officer is aware of your request before filing a Motion to Early Terminate / Modify Probation.
Page 4 | G. Other Division Procedures
The probation motion must be mailed or emailed to the Judicial Assistant, while the original is filed with the Clerk's Office.
A copy of the motion shall be mailed or forwarded via email to the JA at Maya.delconte@fljud13.org@fljud13.org, while the original motion is filed with the Clerk’s Office.
Page 4 | G. Other Division Procedures
A copy of the filed probation motion must be sent to the Probation Officer, State Attorney, and Judge.
A copy of the filed motion must be sent to the Probation Officer, the State Attorney and the Judge.
Page 4 | G. Other Division Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When Required: Courtesy copies of case law and any proposed reference materials shall be submitted to the court. The Court frowns upon case law submitted at the hearing when neither the Court nor the parties have had an opportunity to review.
When Required: Courtesy copies of case law and any proposed reference materials shall be submitted to the court. The Court frowns upon case law submitted at the hearing when neither the Court nor the parties have had an opportunity to review.
Page 3 | D. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Required courtesy copies of case law and reference materials must be emailed to maya.delconte@fljud13.org.
Submission Method: E-mail to maya.delconte@fljud13.org.
Page 3 | D. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies must be delivered no later than three days before the scheduled hearing.
Deadline for Submissions: Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than three (3) days before the scheduled hearing.
Page 3 | D. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and every party.
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.
Page 3 | F. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
When the court finds an emergency, it unilaterally schedules the hearing and all parties must be available unless exigent circumstances exist.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court. All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
Page 3 | E. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email, although the Judicial Assistant may also be contacted by phone.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to maya.delconte@fljud13.org. You may also contact the Judicial Assistant at 813-272-5450.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 whenever their registered email account changes.
It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties may contact the judicial office only as directed by the court’s practices and procedures.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Before scheduling a hearing on the docket, parties must email the Judicial Assistant and copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Scheduling Hearings: Please contact the Judicial Assistant by e-mail at maya.delconte@fljud13.org before scheduling a Hearing on the Docket. Dates and times may change without Notice. Please make sure to copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Parties must email the Judicial Assistant before scheduling a hearing on the criminal division docket.
Dispositions, status conferences, plea changes, and other short (less than 15-minutes) motions will be held during the docket weeks; please contact the Judicial assistant by email at maya.delconte@fljud13.org before scheduling a Hearing on the Docket
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A self-represented litigant may contact the Judicial Assistant for procedural assistance, but the Judicial Assistant may not provide legal advice.
If you are representing yourself and need assistance or have questions concerning any of the procedures outlined above, you may contact the Judicial Assistant at (Maya.delconte@fljud13.org@fljud13.org). Please note, the Judicial Assistant is not permitted to give you any legal advice.
Page 4 | Pro Se/Self-Represented Litigants
Interpreter services may be requested by email or through the court's online request form.
Request interpreter services by emailing: interpreterrequest@fljud13.org or fill out a request form online https://www.fljud13.org/CourtPrograms/CourtInterpreterCenter/ContactUs.aspx
Page 4 | G. Other Division Procedures
ADA accommodations may be requested from the ADA Coordinator by email or telephone.
If you need an ADA accommodation, please contact the ADA Coordinator via e-mail ADA@fljud13.org; telephone 1-813-272-7040; hearing impaired 1-800-955-8771; voice impaired 1-800-955-8770; or US Mail Administrative Office of the Courts, Attn.: ADA Coordinator, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
Page 4 | G. Other Division Procedures