INSTRUCTIONS ON HEARINGS Effective July 12, 2021, all Baker Act hearings will occur in person.
Effective July 1, 2021, all Marchman Act hearings will occur in person.
For all other hearings, please follow the following instructions: All non-evidentiary hearing less than 30 minutes will be conducted by Zoom, unless all parties wish to have the hearing held in-person AND the Magistrate agrees. Video appearance is required for any participant whose testimony is necessary so the Court can administer the oath.
All evidentiary matters or hearings needing more than 30 minutes will be conducted in-person, unless all parties wish to have the hearing held on Zoom AND the Magistrate agrees.
When parties agree to change hearing type: 1. Parties shall e-file a Notice of Agreement to the docket 2. Submit a proposed order changing presumption to the Magistrate's Secretary, with the Notice of Agreement attached. 3. Court will enter order either granting or denying change of hearing type.
Zoom Hearings: Please download the Zoom application, which you may use for free, at https://zoom.us/. Once your hearing is set, you will receive an Outlook invitation for your scheduled hearing. UNLESS YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ZOOM INVITE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF YOUR SCHEDULED HEARING, please do not call Chambers as this information will be sent to you automatically.
Store the link provided in the invitation on your computer calendar and log in at the appointed time. You must also share the link with your clients, opposing counsel, or any interested parties who do not appear on the service list.
You may appear telephonically or via video on Zoom.
If you are aware that an interested party, or someone who is required to appear does not have access to necessary technologies, please cancel the hearing so necessary arrangements can be made for that interested party.
You are expected and required to observe proper decorum and procedure as in any other court appearance.