Court Rules
Judge Joseph M. Tompkins
Judge

Judge Joseph M. Tompkins

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

Courtesy copies

  • Email

Chambers Copy

Court-wide

Extraordinary Writ Petition

Court-wide
  • Immediately Upon Filing

Financial Affidavit, Exhibits

Court-wide

Adjournments

2Business Daysnotice
  • A motion for continuance must be emailed to the judge through the judicial assistant at least two business days before the scheduled Case Management Conference.
Reason For Request
  • A continuance motion must state the reasons, include a joint statement signed by the parties, and include a proposed order ratifying the continuance.

Request must include

Reason For Request

Communication

Email

Chambers

famlawdivb@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:AllImportantFormattingProposed Orders

Document Format Requirements2 rules

Formatting

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

A party-agreed proposed order may be submitted through the ePortal for the judge's signature as a PDF.

Proposed Orders that are agreed upon by the parties can be submitted to the Judge for signature through ePortal as a “PDF” formatted document.

Required Format

PDF

Hillsborough:b154703ce20beffb785df47e|SecProcedures & Preferences
Formatting

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

Non-agreed or competing proposed orders should be emailed to the judicial assistant as a Word-formatted document and are forwarded to the judge after both competing orders are received.

Proposed Orders that are NOT agreed upon by the parties or competing Orders should be submitted to the Judicial Assistant by email and attached as a “WORD” formatted document, which will be forwarded to the Judge upon receipt of both proposed competing Orders.

Required Format

DOCX

Hillsborough:b154703ce20beffb785df47e|SecProcedures & Preferences

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Every post-judgment matter must upload an Order of Referral to the General Magistrate through the ePortal when the motion is filed.

All post judgment matters must have an Order of Referral to the General Magistrate uploaded through the ePortal for signature at the same time the motion is filed.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

When the parties agree to cancel a hearing or other court appearance, a Notice of Cancellation must be immediately e-filed and a courtesy copy emailed to the division.

When the parties agree that a hearing or other court appearance needs to be cancelled or that the parties have reached a settlement in the case, a Notice of Cancellation MUST be immediately e-filed with the Clerk of Court AND a courtesy copy of said Notice of Cancellation emailed to the division at FamLawDivB@fljud13.org.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Service and Proof of Service Rules

When a pro se party has no email address associated with the case, the attorney must mail that party a copy of the order.

If a party is pro se and does not have an email address associated with the case, the attorney will be responsible for mailing copy of the Order to pro se party.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Courtesy Copy Requirements

A courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation must be emailed to the division.

When the parties agree that a hearing or other court appearance needs to be cancelled or that the parties have reached a settlement in the case, a Notice of Cancellation MUST be immediately e-filed with the Clerk of Court AND a courtesy copy of said Notice of Cancellation emailed to the division at FamLawDivB@fljud13.org.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

A continuance motion must state the reasons, include a joint statement signed by the parties, and include a proposed order ratifying the continuance.

The motion shall include the reason(s) for the continuance and a statement jointly signed by the parties agreeing to the continuance as well as a proposed Order ratifying same.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

A motion for continuance must be emailed to the judge through the judicial assistant at least two business days before the scheduled Case Management Conference.

The moving party shall submit his/her motion for continuance to the Judge through his Judicial Assistant by email no later than two (2) business days before the scheduled Case Management Conference.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Chambers Communication Rules

The judicial assistant must be emailed to schedule post-judgment hearings.

You must email the judicial assistant to schedule post judgment hearings.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

For hearing requests exceeding 90 minutes, email the judicial assistant and copy the opposing party or attorney.

If more than 90 minutes is needed, please email JA at FamLawDivB@fljud13.org and copy opposing party or attorney.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Hearing scheduling and cancellation should be communicated by email to the division, copied to all parties, and include the case number, case name, matter, and requested hearing length.

The preferred form of communication for setting and cancelling hearings is by email at FamLawDivB@fljud13.org with copy to all parties. The following should be included in the email: case number, case name, matter to be scheduled for hearing, and length of time needed for the hearing.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

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.

More categories

View all Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County rules
About Judge Joseph M. Tompkins

The Honorable Joseph M. Tompkins --- #### Year Appointed to the Bench: 2021 --- #### Short Biography Judge Joe Tompkins was born and raised in Tampa Bay and is the son of a Cuban immigrant on his mother's side and a descendant of one of the Founding Fathers on his father's side.  He graduated from Holy Family Academy, played high school tennis at Chamberlain, and was a two-time state piano champion from the Bay Ridge District in the Florida Federation of Music Clubs. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Tompkins served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in the Middle District of Florida.  There, Judge Tompkins successfully prosecuted civil rights and tax violations, while defending the interests of the United States, its military institutions, and federal agencies in civil, criminal, and bankruptcy matters throughout all stages of litigation. Prior to serving the United States, Judge Tompkins held three different clerkships.  He served as the senior law clerk to the Hon. Nelly Khouzam and as a law clerk to the Hon. Douglas Wallace (retired) at the Second District Court of Appeal.  He also served as the staff attorney to the Hon. Thomas P. Barber, Hon. E. Lamar Battles, and the Circuit Civil and Felony Divisions at the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court. Judge Tompkins graduated magna cum laude from Ave Maria School of Law, finishing near the top of his class and receiving the Mary, Queen of Lawyers Award, which is given to the graduate that the law school would most want defending it in its greatest hour of need. During law school, Judge Tompkins served on the Editorial Board of the Law Review and had his law review article published in 2014.  Judge Tompkins received his B.A. from Ave Maria University, where he graduated cum laude and received the school's highest awards, including the President's Award, the Pope John Paul II Man of the Year Award, and the Fr. Solanus Casey Award for leadership, community service, and academic excellence. Judge Tompkins has played an active role in the community, having served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee and the Florida Supreme Court's Standing Committee on Fairness & Diversity.  He is a member of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Wm. Reece Smith Inn of Court, the J. Clifford Cheatwood Inn of Court, among others.  He continues to donate his time and talents at his church, various charities, and voluntary bar associations.  Judge Tompkins coaches youth soccer and resides in Hillsborough County with his wife and children. He was appointed to the bench on September 15, 2021, by Governor Ron DeSantis. --- #### Judicial History Assignments: - Unified Family Court, Division B - County Civil; County Civil Traffic --- #### Experience - Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, Civil Division & Civil Rights (2018-2021) - Senior Law Clerk, Hon. Nelly Khouzam, Second District Court of Appeal (2017-2018) - Law Clerk, Hon. Doug Wallace (Ret.), Second District Court of Appeal (2016-2017) - Staff Attorney to Hon. Thomas P. Barber and the Circuit Civil and Felony Divisions at the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court (2014-2016) --- #### Education - Law School: Juris Doctor, Ave Maria School of Law, magna cum laude - Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts, Ave Maria University, Political Science - Fellowships: John Jay Institute, the John Witherspoon Fellowship

**Edgecomb Courthouse** - 800 E. Twiggs St., Room #420 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #400 - Judicial Assistant: Carmen Jones - Phone: (813) 272-5496 - Email: famlawdivb@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Joseph M. Tompkins's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Joseph M. Tompkins?

Details: by email. A courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation must be emailed to the division.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Joseph M. Tompkins?

Judge Joseph M. Tompkins' formatting rule includes file format PDF and submission through eportal is permitted for proposed orders agreed upon by the parties.. A party-agreed proposed order may be submitted through the ePortal for the judge's signature as a PDF.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

How may parties contact Judge Joseph M. Tompkins' chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Joseph M. Tompkins' chambers. The rule lists email FamLawDivB@fljud13.org. For hearing requests exceeding 90 minutes, email the judicial assistant and copy the opposing party or attorney.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Joseph M. Tompkins?

Requests should be made at least 2 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Joseph M. Tompkins. The request must include reason for request. A motion for continuance must be emailed to the judge through the judicial assistant at least two business days before the scheduled Case Management Conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

Is electronic filing required before Judge Joseph M. Tompkins?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. When the parties agree to cancel a hearing or other court appearance, a Notice of Cancellation must be immediately e-filed and a courtesy copy emailed to the division.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

What rule applies to service for order before Judge Joseph M. Tompkins?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by mail. When a pro se party has no email address associated with the case, the attorney must mail that party a copy of the order.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences
Complete rules summary for Judge Joseph M. Tompkins

For hearing requests exceeding 90 minutes, email the judicial assistant and copy the opposing party or attorney.

Hearing scheduling and cancellation should be communicated by email to the division, copied to all parties, and include the case number, case name, matter, and requested hearing length.

When the parties agree to cancel a hearing or other court appearance, a Notice of Cancellation must be immediately e-filed and a courtesy copy emailed to the division.

A courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation must be emailed to the division.

A motion for continuance must be emailed to the judge through the judicial assistant at least two business days before the scheduled Case Management Conference.

A continuance motion must state the reasons, include a joint statement signed by the parties, and include a proposed order ratifying the continuance.

Every post-judgment matter must upload an Order of Referral to the General Magistrate through the ePortal when the motion is filed.

The judicial assistant must be emailed to schedule post-judgment hearings.

A party-agreed proposed order may be submitted through the ePortal for the judge's signature as a PDF.

Non-agreed or competing proposed orders should be emailed to the judicial assistant as a Word-formatted document and are forwarded to the judge after both competing orders are received.

When a pro se party has no email address associated with the case, the attorney must mail that party a copy of the order.

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