Judicial Section Details

PLEASE NOTE:  Judge Harris will continue to conduct virtual hearings (unless requested otherwise) either through a conference call number or the Zoom meeting application.  General information is listed below. Moving Parties - please forward the hearing information to the opposing party and file notice to the docket.

JUDGE HARRIS' VIRTUAL HEARINGS

5-Minute Motion Calendar/15 minute Special Sets:  Conducted via conference call (862-799-9769).  Click the Motion Calendar or Special Set tab for additional information.

30 min to 60 min Special Sets:  Conducted via Zoom.  The Zoom Meeting ID will be 954 243 9000.  If language interpretation is needed, notify Chambers so a special Zoom ID can be created.  Click the Special Set tab for additional information.

Pre-Trials: BEGINNING FEB. 3rd, PRE-TRIALS WILL BE IN PERSON AT THE NORTH DADE JUSTICE CENTER IN COURTROOM 2-7.  There will be no telephonic or Zoom appearances.  Masks are encouraged.  Pre-trials without proof of service on the docket will be continued pending service and taken off calendar.  

• REGARDING INSURANCE CASES: Pursuant to AO 21-10, for cases where the defendant is an insurance company, the Rules of Civil Procedure will now apply automatically.  Pre-trials in these cases will be cancelled.  Counsel appearances will be waived.  Any objections should be filed within 10 days of service of the summons.

Domestic Violence Hearings:  Conducted via Zoom. Please click the Domestic Violence tab to the right for additional information.

Claims of Exemption:  Claim of exemption hearings must be conducted via Zoom.  Please contact Chambers to schedule.

FWOPs:  Conducted via Zoom.  Zoom meeting ID is 954 243 9000.  DO NOT submit Orders of Good Cause via CourtMap.  The court will enter the appropriate order either ahead of or at the time of hearing.  If you receive an order (either Granting Good Cause or Dismissal) before the hearing, your appearance is waived.

Non-Jury Trials:  Please contact Chambers (by email) with both parties to schedule.  Once approved, you will receive a non-jury trial order and Zoom info for the hearing.

Jury Trials: Conducted at the Dade County Courthouse.  Courtroom number will be provided the week before the trial.  

Case Management Order Extensions: For the extension of any case management deadline, consult with opposing counsel regarding the length of extension needed then file a joint motion to extend deadlines and submit a proposed order via CourtMap. This can be done without the need for a hearing unless the motion to extend is opposed. If the motion to extend is opposed, please schedule the motion on the Court’s motion calendar.

COURT PROCEDURES

Motions and Orders:  The Court does not receive notice when motions are filed.  You must file an Order to CourtMap or set the motion for hearing to ensure notice to the Court.

Mediation:  Mediations occur on Thursday mornings and afternoons.  Contact Chambers to schedule a date/time. Starting 2023, mediations will take place in person unless otherwise requested.

Unilateral Scheduling: Prior to any unilateral scheduling, counsel for the movant shall confer or make reasonable effort to confer with opposing counsel regarding scheduling availability. Opposing counsel shall cooperate and act reasonably and in good faith to provide dates of availability. If opposing counsel wholly fails to respond to a scheduling request within 10 days, counsel for the movant may set the matter unilaterally.

Memorandum of Law:  Any memorandum of law can be filed to the docket for the Court's review.  It is not required to forward a hard copy to chambers.  Please be advised that as CourtMap is not a real-time system, for any filings made less than 48 hours before the hearing, please email courtesy copies to chambers.