By order of the Chief Judge the Criminal Courthouse is OPEN for IN PERSON hearings.
Daily Calendar begins at 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday
AS OF 7/29 -PURSUANT TO NEW ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES:
1. DEFENDANTS MUST APPEAR IN PERSON FOR TRIAL & for Motions to Quash Alias Capias. 2. Defendants & Attorneys may appear via Zoom for daily calendar. ZOOM virtual hearings are held at 9:30 a.m. DAILY 3. The Court’s Virtual Zoom Meeting ID 958 7808 6838 TO JOIN BY PHONE CALL (786) 635-1003 4. You may call chambers for guidance or questions at 305-548-5170 during regular business hours (8AM-5PM) RULES REGARDING ZOOM APPEARANCES:
1. Arraignments begin promptly at 9:30 AM Daily
2. Defendants will be brought to Court for Plea and Trial
3. Defendants must appear for Sounding, but can appear on Zoom.
4. Defendants and Attorneys must appear IN PERSON for Trial and Hearings
5. Defendants do not have to appear for Motions to Compel, Rules to Show Cause Against Others
6. Priority given to attorneys appearing IN PERSON, then attorneys appearing on Zoom, then defendants IN PERSON, then defendants on Zoom
7. Remain MUTED until your case is called. 8. DEFENDANTS: Dress appropriately. Mute yourselves until your case is called and turn on your camera. 9. ATTORNEYS: Enter your client’s name in the chat so you may be called out of turn.
For ALL Motions/Orders that exceed 10 pages attorney's must provide Chambers with a paper copy.
Division 3 Information & Procedures
1. JUDGE - Please DO NOT email the Judge. Direct all communications to the JA.
2. JUDICIAL ASSISTANT - Ricarda Ayala
Email address is rayala@jud11.flcourts.org, copy to all parties on the case is required.
3. BAILIFF - Louis Sylvain.
4. CHAMBERS - 1351 N.W. 12th Street, Room 229, Miami, FL 33125.
5. TIME CALENDAR BEGINS EACH DAY: 9:30 A.M.
6. PROCEDURES FOR PLACING MOTIONS ON CALENDAR: Motions must be e-filed with the Clerk’s Office. Send a Courtesy Copy of the original motion to chambers via email. The JA will reply via email with the date that the motion will be set on calendar. The movant is responsible for preparing, filing and serving a Notice of Hearing on all parties. (NOTE: The Clerk’s Office does not provide Judge Ruiz with copies of motions which Counsel submits through E-filing.)
7. METHOD OF PROVIDING COURTESY COPIES: JA/Bailiff’s Email. (NOTE: The Clerk’s Office does not provide Judge Ruiz with copies of motions which Counsel submits through E-filing.)
8. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR SPECIFIC MOTIONS: a. CONTINUANCES: Motions for Continuance may be made ore tenus at Sounding. b. JAC MOTIONS: Send the motion to JA via email (e.g. Motion for Investigative Costs, Motion to Declare Defendant Indigent for Costs) along with supporting documentation, JAC’s response, and a proposed order. If JAC does not request a hearing, the Court may enter the proposed order without a hearing after reviewing the documents. If JAC requests a hearing or if Judge Ruiz has concerns after reviewing the motion and supporting documentation, the judicial assistant will set the motion on calendar for hearing and will notify you via email). c. NEBBIA MOTIONS: Defense Counsel should first present the documentary proof to the State and inquire whether the State will stipulate the defendant has satisfied the Nebbia requirements. If there is no stipulation, submit the documents to chambers via email and the judicial assistant will reply with the date for the Nebbia hearing. In most cases, the hearing will be set for the next business day if the documents are provided to Chambers before 2:30 pm. d. LIMINE MOTIONS: Motions in Limine must be filed in writing the Friday before trial. Failure to do so, absent good cause, is sufficient basis for the Court to deny the Motion. e. SEAL/EXPUNGE: File the original with the Clerk’s office and send a copy to chambers via email. The JA will reply via email with the date that the motion will be on calendar. Counsel does not have to be present at the hearing if all documents are in order. f. RETURN OF PROPERTY: File the original with the Clerk’s office and send a copy to chambers via email. You must copy all counsel of record on email.
Please be aware that certain items are prohibited on courthouse premises. If any listed prohibited item is detected to be in your possession when entering a court facility, you will be asked to exit the facility to secure the item elsewhere or dispose of it, before being allowed entry into the facility.