AI IN THE COURTS
If any attorney for a party, or a pro se party, has used Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) in the preparation of any complaint, answer, motion, brief, or other paper filed with the Court, and assigned to Judge Miller-Jones, MUST, in a clear and plain factual statement disclose that AI has been used in any way in the filing, and CERTIFY, that each and every citation to the law or the record in the paper has been verified as accurate.
Communications with the Judicial Office
Method of Communication:
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to the judicial assistant at BrakeK@circuit8.org. The subject line of any email must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 MM 001234 – State v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested.)
Ex parte Communications:
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.
Scheduling Procedures
Court Schedule:
The weekly courtroom calendar can be found at: https://circuit8.org/calendars/weekly/Alachua-Criminal-Justice-Center.pdf
Scheduling/Hearing Requests:
- The judge’s scheduling calendars are not available online. Hearing dates and times are provided by the JA, by e-mail request to BrakeK@circuit8.org, and should include the case number, style of the case, the motion or motions being set, the attorneys and the total amount of time being requested.
- E-mail communications to coordinate hearings should only be between the attorneys’ offices and should not include the judicial assistant (this includes determining the total amount of time needed for the hearing).
- Once a date has been agreed upon between the attorneys, an email should be sent to the judicial assistant confirming the date is still available on the Court’s calendar. Our office does not hold suggested dates for hearings and a hearing is not scheduled on the Court’s calendar unless you receive confirmation from our office/judicial assistant. A courtesy copy of the notice of hearing should be e-mailed to the judicial assistant.
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.
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.
Remote Hearings
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.
Recordings:
NO RECORDING OF HEARINGS UNLESS PRE-AUTHORIZED BY SITTING JUDGE.
Submission of Orders and Judgements
Format and Submissions Method:
All proposed Orders, Judgments, etc. shall be submitted (in Microsoft Word Format) to Karen Brake, Judicial Assistant, at BrakeK@circuit8.org. The Orders, Judgments, etc., shall contain a Certificate of Service at the bottom of the document with the name(s) of the party/parties to receive a copy of the signed document and their e-mail address(es) OR mailing address(es) if that party is to receive a hard copy.
Deadline for Submissions of Orders:
Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing, unless specifically ordered to be submitted within a shorter period of time.
Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A scanned copy of case law must be submitted to the court three business days prior to the hearing for any evidentiary proceeding.
Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
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:
Motions must be filed before a hearing shall be set. 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.
Substitution of Counsel:
Stipulations for substitution of counsel between law firms shall be signed by the former attorney, the new attorney taking over the case, and the client. The Stipulation shall be filed in the court file. A proposed order shall be submitted to the court. The Court will not grant a substitution of counsel unless client’s written consent is obtained.
Pretrial Procedures
Pre-Trial Motions:
All Pre-Trial Motions shall be filed and heard at least ten (10) business days prior to Jury Selection.
Trial Cases:
Defendants must be present at the hearing when a case is set for trial.
Forms
Plea Petition Forms:
County Court Plea Petition (Para Español)
County Court DUI Plea Petition (Para Español)
County Court Plea Petition with Waiver of Right to Counsel (Para Español)
County Court DUI Plea Petition with Waiver of Right to Counsel (Para Español)
VOP Petition to Enter Plea of Admission
