Hearing Prep Mode
Walk in organized. Walk out with a plan.
Hearing preparation is organization, not argument coaching: know the procedure, bring the proof, respect the format. Pick your county to pull its actual hearing procedures from BenchPath.
The universal prep list
01
Confirm the hearing
Date, time, length, judge/magistrate, and whether it's Zoom or in person. The notice of hearing controls.
02
Know what the hearing decides
A motion calendar hearing is short and narrow; a special set or evidentiary hearing takes testimony. Prepare for the one you actually have.
03
Organize exhibits
Number them, bring the required copies, and know your county's submission procedure — many divisions require pre-submission for Zoom hearings.
04
Line up witnesses
Who, why, and whether they need subpoenas. Confirm remote-appearance rules if any witness is remote.
05
Draft the timeline
One page: the key dates and facts you need the judge to absorb quickly.
06
Check the proposed-order procedure
Some divisions want proposed orders before the hearing, in editable format, through a specific channel.
07
Plan court day
Parking, security lines, childcare (children generally should not come), documents in a binder, phone silenced.
08
Plan the after
Who prepares the order, when it's due, and what you must start doing the moment it's signed.
lake hearing & division procedures
Judge PreferencesBenjamin M. Boylston · Lake
Judge Boylston (Lake family/juvenile): remote only for non-evidentiary matters ≤15 minutes
Non-evidentiary matters of 15 minutes or less may be heard remotely; longer and evidentiary matters are in person (Courtroom 1C).
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney.
Judge PreferencesLori Cotton · Marion
Judge Cotton (Marion county): trials and finals in person; Zoom evidence 2 days ahead; 10-day pro se notice
Small-claims pretrials, jury/non-jury trials, rent matters and final judgments are in person (many others hybrid); Zoom-proceeding evidence due at least 2 days ahead; pro se parties get at least 10 days' notice; editable Word proposed orders.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney.
Judge PreferencesAnn Melinda Craggs · Marion
Judge Craggs (Marion FJ): 5-date maximum, cross-notice ban, 48-hour evidence in PDF + hard copy, Word-only orders
Pleading must be filed before hearing time; a maximum of five dates are offered; hearings need not be coordinated with pro se parties when notice allows; cross-noticing without approval is prohibited; proposed orders are NOT accepted through the e-portal — email Word versions to the JA; Zoom/in-person documentary evidence must be emailed as PDF AND hand-delivered 48 hours ahead; audio-video requests follow Rule 2.530.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney.
Judge PreferencesBrian M. Toti · Lake
Judge Toti (Lake family): >15-minute and evidentiary matters in person; no remote evidence
Hearings longer than 15 minutes and all evidentiary proceedings are held in person; remote evidence is not accepted.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney.
Judge PreferencesDaniel B. Merritt, Jr. · Hernando
Chief Judge Merritt (Hernando): in-person PTC before trial; courtesy copies after e-filing; pro se files through the clerk
Attorneys may appear in person or by Zoom for many matters, but attorneys AND defendants must appear in person at the pretrial conference immediately preceding trial; courtesy copies only after e-filing; self-represented parties file through the clerk, not chambers; interpreters requested in advance; probate/guardianship dates through the clerk.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney.
Standing OrdersJoel D. Fritton · Hernando
Judge Fritton Standing Order (am. June 11, 2024): 10-page memos, 10-day responses, 48-hour case law, criminal Zoom ≤30 min
Applies to all matters assigned to Judge Fritton: email scheduling via sjones@circuit5.org with time-set-aside stated in the notice; motions filed before scheduling; proposed orders digital by email EXCEPT probate through the e-portal; case law <15 pages by email ≥48 hours ahead; interpreters via online form 7 days ahead; meet-and-confer certification in extension/discovery motions; 10-page memo cap; 10-day responses (silence = unopposed); criminal proceedings in person with Zoom only for non-evidentiary pretrial matters ≤30 minutes; criminal continuances e-filed ≥5 days ahead; family cases follow C-2007-22-B and A-2020-1.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney.
Judge PreferencesStephen E. Toner · Hernando
Judge Toner (Hernando): in-person Courtroom E; remote appearance needs written motion 15 days ahead
Proceedings are in person in Courtroom E (Room 432) unless remote appearance is separately approved — a remote-appearance request requires a written motion and hearing at least 15 days before the proceeding; pro se motions through the clerk.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney.