Judge Colaw’s Division Procedures

Method of Communication:

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to the Judicial Assistant, Wendy L. Laudicina, FRP, at laudicinaw@circuit8.org Please include the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 CF 001234 – Doe v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested.).

Ex parte Communications:

When you are represented by Counsel, contact your attorney.  All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless 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.

Unsolicited Communications:

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.

E-Filing Portal Contact Information:

All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516. 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.

Response to Inquiries:

Judicial Assistants are not authorized to provide legal advice. When you contact the Judge’s office please know letters, e-mails and other correspondence are all public record and will be recorded.

Court Schedule:

The weekly courtroom calendar can be found at: https://circuit8.org/calendars/weekly/Alachua-Criminal-Justice-Center.pdf.

Scheduling Hearings:

After your Motion is filed, please email laudicinaw@circuit8.org to request hearing time. The email request should include:

• Case Number
• Style of case
• A courtesy copy of the motion(s) or petition(s) to be set
• The Total amount of time requested for both sides.

Notice of Hearing:

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after receiving confirmation of your hearing time. A hearing is not set on the Court’s calendar until you receive confirmation from the Judicial Assistant. All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.  A courtesy copy of the notice of hearing shall be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.

Submission Deadlines:

Notice of Hearings shall be e-filed no later than two business days before the scheduled hearing date.

Order of Proceedings:

CF has calendar call dockets unless hearing times are special set.  Cases are called as soon as can be heard.

Continuance Procedure:

Continuances are considered on a case by case basis and are granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least two days prior to the scheduled court date. All motions must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).

Cancelling Hearings:

You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately. You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on the opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant with a courtesy copy provided to the Judicial Assistant.

Proposed Orders:

Submit proposed orders to the portal at (myflcourtaccess.com) with a signature block.

All orders shall include a certificate of service at the bottom of the order.  Please indicate the name of the party who is to receive the order, and include all party’s e-mail/e-service addresses OR mailing address.

Remote Appearance Procedure:

For some dockets the court maintains a hybrid virtual courtroom, allowing parties to appear either in person or remotely, as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530. Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.  The Judicial Assistant must be notified of the appearance by zoom before the hearing.

Platform Used:

With advanced notice, the court can use Zoom for remote appearances on case management dockets.  A Motion and Order Granting said Motion to Appear by Zoom is required.

Platform Meeting ID#:

Contact the judicial assistant to obtain the platform meeting ID#.

Requirements:

All counsel and parties on zoom must mute their microphones until they are called before the Court.  If your zoom does not show your name, then please change your name on zoom so the Court can identify who you are.

Format:

All proposed orders must be submitted through the Florida Courts E-Filing portal in Microsoft Word format.  All orders shall have a 2” by 3.5″ blank space on the first page of the order in the upper right-hand corner.  All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.  All orders shall include a certificate of service at the bottom of the order.  Please indicate the name of the party who is to receive the order, as well as that party’s email/e-service address and mailing address.

Submission Method:

All proposed orders must be submitted through the Florida Courts E-Filing portal.

Deadline for Submissions:

Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing, unless specifically ordered to be submitted within a shorter period of time.

CF Plea Forms:

Counsel for Defendant can find criminal Plea form on the Circut8 website:  https://circuit8.org/self-help/forms-and-checklists/

Click on the “Circuit Criminal” option to find Felony Petition to Enter Plea for regular law violations and/or VOP cases.

When Required:

Courtesy copies of case law must be submitted to the court three days prior to the hearing for any evidentiary proceeding.

Requirements:

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, (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation, and (4) position of the opposing counsel.

Scheduling:

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.

Submission Method:

The Court does not accept exhibits by e-mail.

Format:

Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format or presented in Court. 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. Exhibits must be labeled.

Case Management Conference:

Any party may request a case management conference (CMC) when a case requires. The court strongly encourages the early use of CMC in more complex cases, multiple-party litigation, or any case that might benefit from court intervention. Unless excused by the court in advance, all CMCs are mandatory for attorneys, self-represented litigants, and parties.

Status Conference:

Any party may request a status conference when a case requires.  Unless excused by the court in advance, all Status Conferences are mandatory for attorneys, self-represented litigants, and parties.

Scheduling:

Motions must be filed before a hearing shall be set.

Procedure:

Cases are set for trial on the Trial Status Conference docket.  Jury selections are on the Monday following the TSC.  Counsel and parties are required to appear in person.

Plea:

Counsel for Defendant can find criminal Plea form on the Circut8 website:

https://circuit8.org/self-help/forms-and-checklists/

Click on the “Circuit Criminal” option to find Felony Petition to Enter Plea for regular law violations and/or VOP cases.

ADA Accommodations:

https://circuit8.org/americans-with-disabilities-act-ada-information/

Interpreter Requests:

https://circuit8.org/departments-services/court-interpreting/

Bond Procedure:

For a bond hearing to be added to the next available bond docket, then please follow the instructions in the administrative order.  https://circuit8.org/wp-content/uploads/4.01-v4.pdf  RE: Bond Reduction Hearings