Judge Steven P. DeLuca
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
Notice For Trial
- 1 copy • Mail • Upon Filing
Notice Of Motion, Motion
- Not Required
Motion
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements2 rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Any exhibit either party desires to use at trial exceeding four (4) pages in length must be consecutively paginated (by bates-stamp method or otherwise), with sufficient copies of such consecutively paginated exhibit so that both parties and the witness can refer to the exhibit at the same time during trial. Any exhibit not meeting these two requirements will not be allowed for use at trial.
Summary: Trial exhibits exceeding four pages must be consecutively paginated and provided in sufficient copies for both parties and the witness, or they will not be allowed at trial.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
The Court does not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops. Hard copies must be brought to the hearing, or the Court will not consider them
Summary: Exhibits must be brought as hard copies; the Court will not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops.
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge DeLuca requires a uniform order for this purpose submitted via the e-order system. Proposed orders submitted not in compliance will not be entered.
Summary: Requests to invoke the rules in small claims cases must use the required uniform order form submitted via the e-order system; non-compliant proposed orders will not be entered.
Document Type
Request To Invoke Rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Please do not simply email the Court stating that you have an emergency. You must comply with the requirements of Administrative Order 2021-51-CO, “Circuit and County Civil and Probate Emergency Matters,” including the submission of a “Request for Emergency Relief.”
Summary: Emergency matters must comply with AO 2021-51-CO, including submission of a 'Request for Emergency Relief'; a bare email stating an emergency is insufficient.
Document Type
Request For Emergency Relief
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
The Court will not grant a substitution of counsel unless client's written consent is obtained, and new counsel certifies, “I have reviewed the Court docket in this file and have spoken with all counsel of record. I am aware of all pending hearings, depositions and other deadlines that are set in this case.” See Rule 2.505(e)(2)
Summary: Substitution of counsel requires the client's written consent and a certification by new counsel that they have reviewed the docket and spoken with all counsel of record.
Document Type
Request For Substitution Of Counsel
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
DEPOSITIONS MAY NOT BE UNILATERALLY SET. If cooperation cannot be had, the party desiring to set a deposition should file a motion seeking assistance from the Court which lays out with specificity the efforts taken which still have failed to achieve an agreed date, time and location for the deposition. Any Motion to seek assistance of the Court for the scheduling of a deposition shall be set on Uniform Motion Calendar and may be set unilaterally.
Summary: Depositions may not be unilaterally set; a motion for court assistance must detail with specificity the failed efforts to agree on a date, time, and location, and is set on the Uniform Motion Calendar.
Document Type
Motion For Assistance Scheduling Deposition
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
MOTIONS TO COMPEL DISCOVERY: If Local Rule 11 is triggered, please use the standard form attached hereto. Do NOT add any additional language (e.g., waiver of privilege, etc.).
Summary: Motions to compel discovery under Local Rule 11 must use the standard attached form without any additional language.
Document Type
Motion To Compel Discovery
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
The Chief Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, signed Administrative Order (AO) number 2018-10-GEN (Amendment 1) which requires that all communications noticing court proceedings or services in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit include the following language pursuant to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.540
Summary: All communications noticing court proceedings or services must include the ADA accommodation notice language required by AO 2018-10-GEN and Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.540.
Document Type
Notice Of Court Proceeding
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Attorneys may submit proposed and agreed orders electronically through the Case Management System under the e-orders program.
Judge DeLuca participates in the e-orders program. Attorneys can submit proposed/agreed orders through the Case Management System.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 5 | Procedure D: Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
No hearing may be scheduled until the motion has been filed with the Clerk's Office.
ALL MOTIONS MUST BE FILED WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE PRIOR TO SCHEDULING ANY HEARINGS.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 2 | Procedure B: Hearing Procedures
Originals must be filed with the clerk's office at least five business days before the hearing.
Originals MUST BE filed with the clerk's office at least five (5) business days in advance of the hearing.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 3 | Procedure B: Hearing Procedures
Motions requiring a hearing must be scheduled within 5 days of filing (excluding weekends and court holidays) so they can be heard within 35 days of filing, absent good cause.
All Motions requiring a hearing must be scheduled within 5 days of filing (excluding weekends and court observed holidays) to be heard by the court within 35 days of filing, absent good cause shown.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 9 | Timeliness of Resolution of Motions
Motions not scheduled and heard within 40 days of filing may be ruled upon by the court sua sponte.
Motions not timely scheduled and heard within 40 days may be ruled upon by the court sua sponte. The Court may sua sponte rule on any motion pending, not scheduled within 40 days of filing.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 9 | Timeliness of Resolution of Motions
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A copy of the Notice for Trial must be mailed or emailed to the Judicial Assistant when the notice is filed.
When filing a Notice for Trial, you MUST mail or email a copy of the Notice for Trial to the Judicial Assistant.
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Page 7 | Procedure I: Setting Case for Trial
No advance courtesy copies of the notice of hearing, motion, or related pleadings are required for motion calendar hearings because the court accesses them via e-file.
Copies of the Notice of Hearing, the Motion and any pleadings or discovery vehicle to which the Motion is addressed DO NOT need to be provided in advance to the Judge or Judicial Assistant. This information will be available to the court by e-file.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 3 | Procedure B: Hearing Procedures
Courtesy copies are generally not required; if a party wishes to send one, it must be emailed to div73@17th.flcourts.org.
Generally, the Court does not require courtesy copies. If you desire to transmit a courtesy copy to the Court please email to div73@17th.flcourts.org.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 5 | Procedure E: Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Special set hearings are set by the Court only after a motion calendar hearing has been held.
ONLINE SPECIAL SET HEARINGS WILL BE SET BY THE COURT AFTER A MOTION CALENDAR HEARING IS HELD
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Page 2 | Procedure B: Hearing Procedures
After filing a summary judgment/disposition motion, the movant must schedule a 'Motion to set Summary Judgment/Summary Disposition hearing' on the motion calendar only, where the judge will confer with both parties and set the matter and its duration.
After the respective motion is filed with the Clerk of the Court and the moving party is READY to proceed on the said matter, the moving party shall then schedule a “Motion to set Summary Judgment/Summary Disposition hearing” on the MOTION CALENDAR ONLY. The Judge will confer with both parties at the hearing and determine when the said matter will be scheduled and for what duration.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 3 | Procedure B: Hearing Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Agreed orders for extension of time may not exceed 20 days.
AGREED ORDERS FOR EXTENSION OF TIME MAY NOT EXCEED 20 DAYS
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 8 | Procedure K: Other Divisional Procedures
A motion to continue does not itself grant the continuance; it must be heard timely, with agreed continuances submitted electronically as agreed orders.
Please note that a Motion to Continue does not operate as an Order Granting same. These matters must be heard in a timely manner. If the continuance is AGREED to by all parties, submit an agreed order electronically. Please set these motions promptly if the parties are unable to agree, or the court directs that hearing be set.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 8 | Procedure K: Other Divisional Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Attorney's fees, garnishment, and rehearing/reconsideration motions must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant only, or they will be canceled.
THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WILL BE SET BY THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT ONLY. Motions set without going through the Judicial Assistant, will be canceled: Motion for Attorney's Fees & Costs, Garnishment Hearings, Motions for Rehearing/Reconsideration. According to AO2010-47-Gen, upon review the Judge may grant/deny motion or set for hearing.
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Page 8 | Procedure K: Other Divisional Procedures
Court staff cannot relay ex-parte communications or messages to the Judge; the Judicial Assistant may be reached at (954) 831-0322.
It is important to note the Court staff is not allowed to relay ex-parte communication to the Judge. Please do not ask the Courts' Judicial Assistant or other court personnel to relay any messages to the Judge. You may reach Judge DeLuca's Judicial Assistant at (954)831-0322.
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Page 2 | Procedure A: Communication with the Judicial Office
Parties may not call the Court expecting to speak with the Judge about any pending case.
The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by Judges forbids Judges to discuss pending cases with the public or parties to cases. Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case.
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Page 1 | Notice to Public
Questions must be emailed to the division (div73@17th.flcourts.org for civil; divnd@17th.flcourts.org for criminal) with the opposing party copied.
If you have any questions, please email us at div73@17th.flcourts.org for civil division and divnd@17th.flcourts.org for criminal division and remember to also copy the opposing party.
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Page 2 | Procedure A: Communication with the Judicial Office
If no order or judgment is received within 30 days of a hearing on a matter taken under advisement, parties should email div73@17th.flcourts.org to advise the Court.
Should the parties not receive an Order/Judgment on a case taken under advisement within (30) days of the hearing, they should send an email to div73@17th.flcourts.org advising the Court they have not received an Order/Judgment on a pending matter.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.
Page 9 | Matters Taken under Advisement