Court Rules
Judge Elizabeth G. Rice
Judge

Judge Elizabeth G. Rice

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
25 pgs
DocumentsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Motion

  • Email

Pro Se filings

  • Email • After Filing

Chambers Copy

Court-wide

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason For RequestProposed New Dates
5Working Daysnotice
48Hoursnotice

Communication

Email

Chambers

felonydivi@fljud13.org
Scheduling
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

legalbailbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

ilbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

bonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:AllMandatoryFormattingExhibitsProposed Orders

Document Format Requirements1 rule

FormattingCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Trial exhibits must be sequentially pre-marked and Bates-numbered on every page.

Exhibits shall be pre-marked sequentially and each page of an exhibit bates numbered.

Document Filing Requirements5 rules

Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Defense counsel must file the applicable PTI proposed stipulated order with special conditions and the reporting date completed.

Defense Counsel shall then file the appropriate PTI Proposed Stipulated Order [In or Out of Custody] filled out entirely with special conditions and reporting date included.

Document Type

Pti Proposed Stipulated Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Hillsborough:08032e2fe1766b49ce9aa090
|SecProcedures for Ex-Parte Relief
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

The proposed order in an agreed probation-termination motion must be titled as an agreed or stipulated order and include the specified no-objection recital.

Represented Defendants filing “agreed” motions to terminate probation may upload to the Court’s JAWS work queue through the E-Portal a proposed order including in the title of the order that it is an agreed or stipulated order AND including in the body of the order that "Counsel for Defendant has conferred with the State and the Department of Corrections, and neither party has an objection to the relief requested."

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Hillsborough:08032e2fe1766b49ce9aa090
|SecTerminations or Modifications of Community Control or Probation.Represented Defendants
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

The listed PTI forms must be completed and filed in the court file.

Required Forms. For ease in reference, the following is a list of all forms that must be completed and filed in the court file and are available on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Website Forms page at https://www.fljud13.org/Resources/Forms under “CIRCUIT – CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND TRIAL”:Out of Custody PTI Stipulated Order  In Custody PTI Stipulated Order with ROR  PTI Address Verification Instructions  PTI Reporting Instructions

Document Type

Pti Required Forms

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

When filing a bond motion, defense counsel must also file a written “Waiver of Defendant’s Presence,” unless Defendant’s presence is specifically requested at the hearing.

At the time the bond motion is filed, defense counsel also shall file a written “Waiver of Defendant’s Presence,” unless Defendant’s presence is specifically requested at the hearing.

Document Type

Waiver Of Defendants Presence

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Hillsborough:08032e2fe1766b49ce9aa090
|SecBond Motions Without Hearing
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

An evidentiary Notice of Hearing must identify the hearing as evidentiary and state its length.

If the hearing is evidentiary, the Notice of Hearing must specifically state the hearing is evidentiary. The Notice of Hearing also must include the length of the hearing (i.e., HEARING LENGTH: 30 minutes).

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Hillsborough:08032e2fe1766b49ce9aa090
|SecMotion Hearings - 10 Minutes or More or Evidentiary Motions with Witnesses

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

An agreed motion to terminate probation may be accompanied by an electronically submitted proposed order identifying itself as stipulated and containing the stated no-objection language.

Represented Defendants filing “agreed” motions to terminate probation may upload to the Court’s JAWS work queue through the E-Portal a proposed order including in the title of the order that it is an agreed or stipulated order AND including in the body of the order that "Counsel for Defendant has conferred with the State and the Department of Corrections, and neither party has an objection to the relief requested."

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Terminations or Modifications of Community Control or Probation.Represented Defendants

Evidence of the State’s and probation officer’s agreement must be uploaded concurrently as an attachment or cover letter.

Defense counsel shall contemporaneously upload the email or other document indicating the State’s and the Probation Officer's agreement either as an attachment to the motion or in the space designated for cover letters.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Terminations or Modifications of Community Control or Probation.Represented Defendants

The PTI proposed stipulated order must be submitted electronically through the E-Portal after filing when agreed by the parties.

After the Stipulated Order is filed, defense counsel shall submit the PTI Proposed Stipulated Order to the Court’s JAWS work queue through the E-Portal when agreed.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Procedures for Ex-Parte Relief

At or before jury selection, both parties must file a numbered exhibit list through the E-Portal.

At or before jury selection, counsel for the State and Defendant shall provide each other, the Court, and the Deputy Clerk via email and shall file with the Clerk of Court via the E-portal, an Exhibit List with exhibits numbered that correspond to all exhibits that have and are to be marked and introduced into trial.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Exhibits

Both parties must file a trial witness list through the E-Portal when submitting jury instructions.

At the same time jury instructions are submitted, counsel for the State and Defendant shall provide each other, the Court, and the Deputy Clerk via email and shall file with the Clerk of Court via the E-portal, a list of the names and addresses of all witnesses who are expected to testify at Defendant’s trial (preferably, in the numerical order in which they are to be called.)

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Witness Lists

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

The State must email proposed jury instructions by 8:00 a.m. on the Monday of trial week and copy opposing counsel.

The State shall email proposed jury instructions to the Judicial Assistant at the division email no later than 8:00 a.m. on the Monday of the week of trial, being sure to copy opposing counsel.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Jury Instructions

Evidence submitted for pretrial judicial review must be received at least two business days before the hearing.

If either party would like the Court to review any evidence before the hearing (e.g., videos, jail calls, transcripts, etc.), it must be received by the Court no less than two business days before the hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Motion Hearings - 10 Minutes or More or Evidentiary Motions with Witnesses

Parties must file and have all motions except motions in limine heard before the Pretrial Conference; unheard motions are waived and cannot support a continuance, and motions in limine must be filed before the conference.

All motions (other than motions in limine) shall be filed and heard before the Pretrial Conference. All motions not heard before the Pretrial Conference shall be deemed waived and shall not be grounds for a continuance. All motions in limine must be filed before the Pretrial Conference.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Timing of Motions

Legal authority must be received at least three business days before the hearing or the motion may be rescheduled.

If either party has case law or other legal authority they want the Court to consider, the case law and authority must be received by the Court no less than three business days before the hearing. Otherwise, the motion will need to be rescheduled to give the Court a meaningful opportunity to review the authority

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Motion Hearings - 10 Minutes or More or Evidentiary Motions with Witnesses

Defense counsel must submit specially requested, non-agreed jury instructions by the same deadline applicable to the State’s jury instructions.

Counsel for Defendant may submit any specially-requested jury instructions that have not been agreed to by the State at the same time required for the State to provide jury instructions.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Jury Instructions

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Defense counsel must provide the PTI reporting instructions to the defendant.

Finally, defense counsel shall provide the PTI reporting Instructions to Defendant.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Procedures for Ex-Parte Relief

The signed PTI Address Verification Form must be filed and served on the State when the parties have agreed to PTI relief.

If the State and Counsel for Defendant have reached an agreement for PTI, defense counsel shall file the signed PTI Address Verification Form and serve a copy on the State.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Procedures for Ex-Parte Relief

Hearing exhibits must be emailed to the judicial assistant and deputy clerk and provided to opposing counsel at least 48 hours before the hearing.

Exhibits: All exhibits that may be introduced at hearings must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant through the division email (felonydivi@fljud13.org) and to the Deputy Clerk (contact Judicial Assistant for email address) and provided to opposing counsel no less than 48 hours before the scheduled hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Motion Hearings - 5 Minutes or Less & No Witness Testimony (OUT OF CUSTODY DEFENDANTS)

A written bond-reduction motion must be filed with the clerk and emailed to opposing counsel.

A written motion for bond reduction shall be filed with the Clerk of Court and emailed to opposing counsel.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Bond Motions Without Hearing

An unopposed motion requesting appointment of a competency evaluator must be filed with the clerk and copied to the judicial assistant by email.

All motions in which a party is requesting the Court to appoint a doctor for a court-ordered forensic competency evaluation, for which there is no objection, shall be filed with the Clerk of Court and a copy emailed to the Judicial Assistant at felonydivi@fljud13.org.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Competency Motions

The State must email proposed jury instructions to the judicial assistant and copy opposing counsel.

The State shall email proposed jury instructions to the Judicial Assistant at the division email no later than 8:00 a.m. on the Monday of the week of trial, being sure to copy opposing counsel.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Jury Instructions

The requesting party must file a Notice of Hearing, serve opposing counsel, and email a copy to the judicial assistant.

The party requesting the hearing shall file a “Notice of Hearing” with the Clerk of Court, serving a copy to opposing counsel as well as emailing a copy of the Notice of Hearing to the Judicial Assistant at felonydivi@fljud13.org.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Motion Hearings - 10 Minutes or More or Evidentiary Motions with Witnesses

Both parties must email the witness list to each other, the court, and deputy clerk and file it through the E-Portal with the jury instructions.

At the same time jury instructions are submitted, counsel for the State and Defendant shall provide each other, the Court, and the Deputy Clerk via email and shall file with the Clerk of Court via the E-portal, a list of the names and addresses of all witnesses who are expected to testify at Defendant’s trial (preferably, in the numerical order in which they are to be called.)

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Witness Lists

At or before jury selection, both parties must email the exhibit list to each other, the court, and deputy clerk and file it through the E-Portal.

At or before jury selection, counsel for the State and Defendant shall provide each other, the Court, and the Deputy Clerk via email and shall file with the Clerk of Court via the E-portal, an Exhibit List with exhibits numbered that correspond to all exhibits that have and are to be marked and introduced into trial.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Exhibits

Courtesy Copy Requirements

A pro se defendant must email a courtesy copy of the filed probation or community-control motion to the judicial assistant after filing it.

For pro se, self-represented defendants, after you file your motion to terminate or modify probation or community control with the Clerk of Court, please email a courtesy copy of the motion to the Judicial Assistant at (felonydivi@fljud13.org) so that we may verify with the State Attorney’s Office and the Department of Corrections Division I Liaison that your probation officer does not object to the relief sought in your motion and that all monetary and other obligations have been satisfied.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Terminations or Modifications of Community Control or Probation.Pro Se/Self-Represented Defendants

When the parties do not agree, defense counsel must email a courtesy copy of the filed probation or community-control motion to the judicial assistant.

If all parties do not agree, defense counsel shall file the motion to terminate or modify probation or community control with the Clerk of Court and email a courtesy copy of the motion to the Judicial Assistant at (felonydivi@fljud13.org).

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Terminations or Modifications of Community Control or Probation.Represented Defendants

Chambers Communication Rules

Prior court approval by email is required for a Zoom appearance.

Division I currently conducts hearings in-person. Virtual appearances via Zoom may be available for motion hearings or appearances by victims or out-of-town individuals on a case-by-case basis and only if previously approved by the Court. Please email the Judicial Assistant at felonydivi@fljud13.org for approval to attend a hearing virtually via Zoom.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Lengthy or evidentiary motions must be scheduled through the judicial assistant rather than the deputy clerk.

Scheduling. All motions exceeding 10 minutes in length or requiring witness testimony shall be scheduled by the Judicial Assistant. Please do not email Division I’s Deputy Clerk to schedule this type of motion for hearing.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Motion Hearings - 10 Minutes or More or Evidentiary Motions with Witnesses

A request to hear a motion by Zoom must be emailed to the judicial assistant with opposing counsel copied.

If an attorney would like a motion heard via Zoom, the attorney should email the motion to the Judicial Assistant, copying opposing counsel on the email, and specifically request the hearing via Zoom.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | Motion Hearings - 5 Minutes or Less & No Witness Testimony (OUT OF CUSTODY DEFENDANTS)

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 727 rules apply across Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 259
  • Applies to
    Waiver of jury trial

    A defendant electing a non-jury trial must personally sign and file a Waiver of Jury Trial form with the court.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases form

    A petitioner must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form, using Form 12.900(h), when related cases are pending and known or reasonably ascertainable, except in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases

    Petitioners in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form using Form 12.900(h), even when no related cases exist.

Filing Timing

All 126
  • All motions and notices of hearing must be filed by noon on the business day before the hearing.

  • An attorney of record may not withdraw unless a motion to withdraw is filed, heard, and granted at least 30 days before trial.

  • Deadline
    10 calendar days

    An objection to referral must be filed within 10 days of service of the order of referral.

Service

All 93
  • Deadline
    2 business days
    Applies to
    Case law
    Service
    Electronic service to court

    A party using case law in support of or opposition to a filed motion must provide an electronic copy of the case law, the notice of hearing, and the motion to the presiding judge's office and opposing counsel or party at least two business days before the hearing.

  • Service
    Court service to all parties

    After obtaining a hearing time, the clerk must notify all necessary parties.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Service
    Email

    The clerk must email motions filed by self-represented defendants to the presiding judge and judicial assistant.

E-Filing

All 68
  • Applies to
    Probable cause application

    Law enforcement agency attorneys must submit the probable-cause application by email to the County Criminal Division C judicial assistant for filing in the Clerk's Administrative File.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    The law enforcement agency attorney must submit the proposed order through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal using the assigned Clerk's Administrative File number.

  • Applies to
    Motion

    Except for Motions for Discharge and Motions for Speedy Trial, an attorney must e-file a motion for hearing simultaneously with a Notice of Hearing after coordinating the hearing time with the opposing attorney or party.

About Judge Elizabeth G. Rice

The Honorable Elizabeth G. Rice --- Year Assigned to the Bench:  2005 – County Court (Elected 2004)2009 – Circuit Court (Appointed 2009)2010 – Elected2016 – Elected (without opposition) --- Admitted to Practice: Florida Bar - May 24, 1990 --- Education: University of Florida Frederic G. Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida (J.D. 1989) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (B.S. in Geology 1986) --- Assignments: Circuit Judge -Adult Drug “Recovery Court”, Felony Division “Y” (January 2020-present) -Drug Pre-trial Intervention Program Court, Felony Division “W” (January 2021-present) -Juvenile Drug Treatment Court, Juvenile Division “E” (January 2020-present) -Circuit Civil, Division “C” (January 2015-January 2020) -Juvenile Dependency, Division “C” (August 2013-January 2015) -Juvenile Delinquency, Division “A” (January 2012-August 2013) -Family Law, Division “F” (January 2010-January 2012) County Judge -County Criminal, Division “G” (January 2007-January 2010) -Family Law, Division “B” (April 2006-January 2007) -County Civil, Division “J” (January 2005-April 2006) Associate Judge, Second District Court of Appeal (Bartow HMA, LLC v. Kirkland, 146 So. 3d 1213 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014) --- Professional Associations/Activities (Legal) Tampa Hispanic Bar Association (2007-12, 2014-present) -Advisory Board (2016-19) -10th Annual Gala Committee (2016) Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (1990-present) -Board of Directors (2008-12) -Pro Bono Committee (2002-04) -Pro Bono Committee/Domestic Violence Courthouse Project Volunteer (2002-04) Tampa Bay Catholic Lawyers Guild (2000-present) Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals (2020) National Association of Drug Court Professionals (2020) Florida Bar (1990-present) -Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism (2000-04)     Bar Subcommittee (2002-03)     Budget Committee (2002-03)     Judicial Subcommittee (2000-02)     Ex-Officio (2003-04) -Bankruptcy/UCC Committee of the Business Law Section (1992-2004) -Continuing Legal Education (2002-04) -Chief Justice’s Advisory Committee for the 2001 Tobias Simon Pro Bono Awards (2000-01) -Long Range Planning Committee (2001-02) -Special Commission on Multidisciplinary Practices and Ancillary Businesses (2000-02) -The Florida Bar Attorneys Charitable Trust (Director, 2001-02) -SCOPE (Seek Counsel of Professional Experience) Volunteer Panel Attorney (1996-2004) Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section (2017-present) -Executive Council Judicial Liaison (June 2017-June 2019) -Executive Council Discovery Handbook Committee (June 2017-June 2019) -Executive Council Chester Bedell Mock Trial Committee (June 2018-January 2020) -Executive Council Professionalism Guidelines Committee (June 2017-June 2019) Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors (1995-2002) -President (2001-02) -Executive Committee (1997-2002) -Practicing with Professionalism (f/k/a Bridge the Gap) - Oversight Subcommittee (Chair, 1999-2000;     Co-chair, 1997-98; Member, 1996-97) -Practicing with Professionalism (f/k/a Bridge the Gap) - Seminars Subcommittee (Co-chair, 1996-99;     Member, 1995-2000) -Local Bar Affiliates - Networking Committee (Chair, 1999-2000) -Local Bar Affiliates - Outreach Program Committee (Chair, 1999-2000; Co-chair, 1997-99;     Member, 1996-97) -Florida Bar Journal Committee (Chair, 1998-99) -Judicial Directory Committee (Vice chair, 1998-99; Member, 1998-2000) -SCOPE (Seek Counsel of Professional Experience) Committee (Co-chair, 1997-98; Member, 1996-97) -Long Range Planning Committee (Chair, 2000-01; Member, 1999-2000) -Budget Committee (1998-2001) -Children’s Witness Waiting Room Committee (1996-97, 1999-2000) -Web Page Committee (1997-2000) -Florida Supreme Court Teen Mediation/Youth Education Committee (1997-98) -Young Women and Minorities Committee (1996-97) -Liaison to the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (1998-99) -Liaison to The Florida Bar Public Member Information Committee (1996-97) Florida Bar Board of Governors (2000-02) -Executive Committee (2001-02) -Access to Legal System Committee (2000-02) -Communications Committee (2001-02) -Liaison to The Florida Bar Quality of Life Committee (2001-02) -Disciplinary Review Committee (2000-01) -Liaison to The Florida Bar Appellate Rules Committee (2000-01) -Judicial Nominating Commission Procedures Special Study Committee (2000-01) -Judicial Nominating Commission Screening Committee (2001-02) Hillsborough County Bar Association (1990-2004) -Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors (1993-95; ex-officio director 1995-02)     Long Range Planning Committee (1995-99)     ABA YLD Affiliate Outreach Project Conference Tampa Host Committee (1997)     Law Week Committee (Chair, 1993-95)     Awards Committee (Chair, 1993-95)     Bridge the Gap Committee (1992-93)     Bench/Bar Liaison Committee (1992-93) -Gender Ethnic & Racial Equality Committee (Chair, 2004) -Long Range Planning Committee (1998-99)     Future Trends in the Legal Profession Subcommittee (Chair, 1998-99) American Bar Association (1990-2004) Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association (1998 (renewed membership) - 2004)International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation ("IWIRC") (2001-04)William Glenn Terrell Inn of Court (Pupil, 1991-92) United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, and    Southern District of Florida (private practice) --- Professional Associations/Activities (Community) Changing Minds of Tampa Bay, Inc. - Mental Health Advocacy Non-Profit (2016-present)-Co-Founder-Board of Directors/Secretary (2016-present) The University Club of Tampa (1994-present) -Board of Directors (2003-04) -Secretary (2000-01) --- Honors and Activities Professional Honors: -Recipient of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division’s Woman Lawyer of Achievement Award (2020)-Recipient of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association’s Luis A. “Tony” Cabassa Award (2017)-Selected as a Florida Association for Women Lawyers’ Leader in the Law (2011)-Martindale-Hubbell AV© Rating (private practice)-Named to the Tampa Bay Review's first "40 Under 40" list of achievers and doers in the Tampa Bay legal community (2002)-Recipient of 40 Under 40 Rising Stars Award presented by The Business Journal Serving Greater Tampa Bay and Junior Achievement of West Central Florida (1999)-Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s Most Outstanding Young Lawyer Award (1997-98) Law School Honors: -Order of Coif-Florida Law Review (Senior Editor, Symposium; Associate Editor, Special Projects)-Book Awards (Family Law, Trial Advocacy, Florida Constitutional Law)-Appellate Advocacy Fellow-Honors, Legal Research and Writing Publications/Panels/Presentations: -Updating Author: The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section Florida Handbook on Discovery Practice, Chapter 6 - Expert Witnesses Discovery (2019)-Co-Author: "Joint Tortfeasor Liability: Inconsistencies and Inequities of Florida Law," Vol. LXIII, Fla. B.J. 57 (1989)-Panelist, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division’s Basic Business Law CLE Judicial Roundtable (October 11, 2019)-Panelist, Got Civility? The Tampa Hispanic Bar Association and The Florida Bar Business Law Section Luncheon CLE Presentation (February 7, 2018)-Panelist, Numerous Judicial Views from the Bench-Panelist, Unique Issues in Representing a Hispanic Client/The Court’s Perspective, Tampa Bay Hispanic Bar Association (April 28, 2011)-Panelist, “We’ve Come a Long Way - Panel Perspectives,” Florida Association of Women Lawyers Seminar, The Florida Bar Annual Meeting (June 22, 2001)-Presenter, “Promoting Workplace Wellness: Learning to “LOVE” and Launching Other Well-Being Initiatives in Your Law Firm,” Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (February 17, 2021)-Presenter, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Webinar on “Achieving Mental Wellness Through Community Connections” (December 19, 2018)-Presenter, Austin Crews Eagle Scout Program on “Teen Depression and Anxiety” (September 17, 2018)-Presenter, “What Bankruptcy Attorneys Need to Know about County Criminal Court,” Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association luncheon seminar (January 13, 2009)-Presenter, “Avoiding Technical Minefields and Overcoming Procedural Hurdles in Drafting Affidavits and Obtaining Default Judgments,” Hillsborough County Bar Association Brown Bag luncheon seminar (March 7, 2006)-Presenter, “Mortgage Foreclosures in Florida:  A Nuts and Bolts Perspective,” Hillsborough County Bar Association Basics of Foreclosure Seminar (April 11, 1996)-Presenter, “Receiverships and Sequestration of Rents,” Florida Mortgage Foreclosures Seminar presented to AMRESCO Institutional, Inc. (May 21, 1992)

**Criminal Courthouse Annex** - 401 North Jefferson Street., Room #227 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #15 - Judicial Assistant: Kathy Williams - Phone: (813) 272-7225 - Email: FelonyDivI@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Elizabeth G. Rice's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Elizabeth G. Rice?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions. Details: by email. When the parties do not agree, defense counsel must email a courtesy copy of the filed probation or community-control motion to the judicial assistant.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Terminations or Modifications of Community Control or Probation.Represented Defendants

What must be included with waiver of defendants presence filings before Judge Elizabeth G. Rice?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. When filing a bond motion, defense counsel must also file a written “Waiver of Defendant’s Presence,” unless Defendant’s presence is specifically requested at the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Bond Motions Without Hearing

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Elizabeth G. Rice?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. An evidentiary Notice of Hearing must identify the hearing as evidentiary and state its length.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motion Hearings - 10 Minutes or More or Evidentiary Motions with Witnesses

How may parties contact Judge Elizabeth G. Rice's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Elizabeth G. Rice's chambers. The rule lists email felonydivi@fljud13.org. Prior court approval by email is required for a Zoom appearance.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

Is electronic filing required before Judge Elizabeth G. Rice?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. The PTI proposed stipulated order must be submitted electronically through the E-Portal after filing when agreed by the parties.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures for Ex-Parte Relief

What filing deadlines does Judge Elizabeth G. Rice set?

Legal authority must be received at least three business days before the hearing or the motion may be rescheduled.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motion Hearings - 10 Minutes or More or Evidentiary Motions with Witnesses

What rule applies to service for bond motion before Judge Elizabeth G. Rice?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by email, recipient: the opposing party. A written bond-reduction motion must be filed with the clerk and emailed to opposing counsel.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Bond Motions Without Hearing
Complete rules summary for Judge Elizabeth G. Rice

Prior court approval by email is required for a Zoom appearance.

A written bond-reduction motion must be filed with the clerk and emailed to opposing counsel.

When filing a bond motion, defense counsel must also file a written “Waiver of Defendant’s Presence,” unless Defendant’s presence is specifically requested at the hearing.

An unopposed motion requesting appointment of a competency evaluator must be filed with the clerk and copied to the judicial assistant by email.

A request to hear a motion by Zoom must be emailed to the judicial assistant with opposing counsel copied.

Hearing exhibits must be emailed to the judicial assistant and deputy clerk and provided to opposing counsel at least 48 hours before the hearing.

Lengthy or evidentiary motions must be scheduled through the judicial assistant rather than the deputy clerk.

The requesting party must file a Notice of Hearing, serve opposing counsel, and email a copy to the judicial assistant.

An evidentiary Notice of Hearing must identify the hearing as evidentiary and state its length.

Legal authority must be received at least three business days before the hearing or the motion may be rescheduled.

Evidence submitted for pretrial judicial review must be received at least two business days before the hearing.

Parties must file and have all motions except motions in limine heard before the Pretrial Conference; unheard motions are waived and cannot support a continuance, and motions in limine must be filed before the conference.

The signed PTI Address Verification Form must be filed and served on the State when the parties have agreed to PTI relief.

Defense counsel must file the applicable PTI proposed stipulated order with special conditions and the reporting date completed.

The PTI proposed stipulated order must be submitted electronically through the E-Portal after filing when agreed by the parties.

Defense counsel must provide the PTI reporting instructions to the defendant.

The listed PTI forms must be completed and filed in the court file.

An agreed motion to terminate probation may be accompanied by an electronically submitted proposed order identifying itself as stipulated and containing the stated no-objection language.

The proposed order in an agreed probation-termination motion must be titled as an agreed or stipulated order and include the specified no-objection recital.

Evidence of the State’s and probation officer’s agreement must be uploaded concurrently as an attachment or cover letter.

When the parties do not agree, defense counsel must email a courtesy copy of the filed probation or community-control motion to the judicial assistant.

A pro se defendant must email a courtesy copy of the filed probation or community-control motion to the judicial assistant after filing it.

The State must email proposed jury instructions by 8:00 a.m. on the Monday of trial week and copy opposing counsel.

The State must email proposed jury instructions to the judicial assistant and copy opposing counsel.

Defense counsel must submit specially requested, non-agreed jury instructions by the same deadline applicable to the State’s jury instructions.

Both parties must email the witness list to each other, the court, and deputy clerk and file it through the E-Portal with the jury instructions.

Both parties must file a trial witness list through the E-Portal when submitting jury instructions.

Trial exhibits must be sequentially pre-marked and Bates-numbered on every page.

At or before jury selection, both parties must email the exhibit list to each other, the court, and deputy clerk and file it through the E-Portal.

At or before jury selection, both parties must file a numbered exhibit list through the E-Portal.

More Judges in Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County

Adam L. Bantner
Judge
Alissa M. Ellison
Judge
Barbara Twine Thomas
Judge
Branden M. Henderson
Judge
Caroline Tesche Arkin
Judge
Catherine M. Catlin
Judge
Cheryl K. Thomas
Judge
Christine A. Marlewski
Judge