Court Rules
Judge Margaret R. Taylor
Judge

Judge Margaret R. Taylor

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
25 pgs
DocumentsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Chambers Copy

Court-wide

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

Extraordinary Writ Petition

Court-wide
  • Immediately Upon Filing

Financial Affidavit, Exhibits

Court-wide

Adjournments

  • A continuance motion should be written and filed at least 5 days before trial.
48Hoursnotice
  • A continuance motion for an in-custody defendant must be filed at least 48 hours before the court date to cancel jail transport.

Communication

Email

Chambers

anita.salario@fljud13.org
SchedulingEmergencies
Phone

Chambers

(813) 272-6530
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
Filters:AllMandatoryFormattingConferences

Document Format Requirements3 rules

FormattingCriminal cases

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

Boilerplate motions without a factual basis are prohibited, will be stricken, and do not satisfy the written-motion requirement.

Boiler plate motions (including motions which fail to include a factual basis or which simply provide "facts to be presented or argued at hearing") are not permitted and will be stricken as legally insufficient. Such motions will not satisfy this Court's requirement of a written motion.

Hillsborough:de07ff25df9be49d993579f1 · Jan 2022|SecProcedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B
FormattingCriminal cases

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

All pretrial motions must be written and heard before the pretrial conference.

All pretrial motions shall be in writing and heard prior to the date of the pretrial conference.

Hillsborough:de07ff25df9be49d993579f1 · Jan 2022|SecProcedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B
FormattingCriminal cases

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

A continuance motion must be in writing.

Motions for continuance should be in writing and be filed at least 5 days prior to the trial date.

Hillsborough:de07ff25df9be49d993579f1 · Jan 2022|SecProcedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

A motion to compel discovery should be filed within 10 days after the discovery production date.

Motions to compel discovery should be filed within 10 days after the discovery production date.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

A motion to compel more adequate discovery should be filed within 10 days after incomplete discovery is provided.

Motions to compel more adequate discovery should be filed within 10 days after incomplete discovery was provided.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

Suppression motions, evidentiary-hearing motions in limine, and motions to exclude must be filed at least 10 days before the hearing.

All pretrial motions to suppress, motions in limine requiring evidentiary hearings, and motions to exclude shall be filed and served upon opposing counsel at least 10 days prior to the hearing date.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Opposing counsel must be served with the specified pretrial motions at least 10 days before the hearing.

All pretrial motions to suppress, motions in limine requiring evidentiary hearings, and motions to exclude shall be filed and served upon opposing counsel at least 10 days prior to the hearing date.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

Opposing counsel must be notified promptly whenever the case status changes.

Please notify opposing counsel as soon as there is a change in the status of your case.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

Counsel must diligently pursue discovery and promptly notify opposing counsel of outstanding discovery requests.

Counsel shall act diligently to obtain the discovery sought and shall promptly notify opposing counsel of any outstanding discovery request.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

A continuance motion should be written and filed at least 5 days before trial.

Motions for continuance should be in writing and be filed at least 5 days prior to the trial date.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

A continuance motion for an in-custody defendant must be filed at least 48 hours before the court date to cancel jail transport.

MOTIONS TO CONTINUE FOR IN CUSTODY DEFENDANTS MUST BE FILED AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO COURT DATE IN ORDER TO CANCEL THEIR JAIL TRANSPORT.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

Chambers Communication Rules

Parties should contact the judicial assistant to obtain disposition continuance forms.

Please contact the Judicial Assistant for disposition continuance forms.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

Motions may be scheduled for hearing by contacting Judge Taylor's judicial assistant by phone or email.

Motions can be set for hearing by contacting Judge Taylor’s Judicial Assistant, Anita Salario, (813) 272-6530. Anita.Salario@fljud13.org.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

An attorney unable to obtain hearing coverage should notify the judicial assistant as soon as possible.

If they are unable to do so, they should then notify the Judicial Assistant as soon as possible.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

An attorney unable to attend a scheduled motion hearing for unforeseen circumstances must call the court and explain.

If you set a motion for a hearing, please make sure that you appear for the hearing. If you are unable to appear due to unforeseen circumstances, it is incumbent upon you to call the Court to advise us of those circumstances.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

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 Margaret R. Taylor

The Honorable Margaret R.Taylor --- #### Year appointed to the Bench: 2005 #### Assignments: - County Criminal Division B - Present --- #### Education - Law School: St. Thomas University School of Law Miami, FL - J.D. 1992 - Undergraduate: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL - B.S.B.A., Double Major - Finance and Marketing --- #### Background Prior to taking the bench, Judge Margaret R. Taylor was a Senior Assistant County Attorney with Hillsborough County where she concentrated her practice primarily in the areas of public finance, land use, affordable housing, and commercial transactions. She was counsel for the Hillsborough County Housing Finance Authority, and assisted with the issuance and refinancing of over $300 million in municipal bonds to promote affordable housing. She also advised Hillsborough County with financing matters regarding Raymond James Stadium and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as the St. Pete Times Forum and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Additionally, she advised Hillsborough County on its $3 billion budget, as well as legal issues relating to the issuance of other Hillsborough County municipal bonds and refinancing matters including the bonds used to assist in building the new courthouse and student housing at the University of Tampa. She also advised Hillsborough County on legal issues involving community development districts, community redevelopment, HUD and Section 8 housing, foreclosures and lien enforcement, code enforcement, historical resources, industrial development, and mobile home law. Judge Margaret R. Taylor was formerly board certified by the Florida Bar in City, County, and Local Government Law. Judge Margaret R. Taylor is also a former state prosecutor with Polk and Hillsborough County, and former federal defense attorney practicing in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. --- #### Professional Activities - Board Certified in City, County, and Local Government Law (Formerly) - Middle District of Florida - Florida Bar - Hillsborough County Bar Association

**Criminal Courthouse Annex** - 401 N. Jefferson St., Room #330 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #31 - Judicial Assistant: Anita Salario - Phone: (813) 272-6530 - Email: anita.salario@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Margaret R. Taylor's rules

How may parties contact Judge Margaret R. Taylor's chambers?

An attorney unable to obtain hearing coverage should notify the judicial assistant as soon as possible.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Margaret R. Taylor?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A continuance motion should be written and filed at least 5 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

What filing deadlines does Judge Margaret R. Taylor set?

Suppression motions, evidentiary-hearing motions in limine, and motions to exclude must be filed at least 10 days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B

What rule applies to serving the opposing party before Judge Margaret R. Taylor?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party, timing: before hearing. Opposing counsel must be served with the specified pretrial motions at least 10 days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences County Criminal, Division B
Complete rules summary for Judge Margaret R. Taylor

All pretrial motions must be written and heard before the pretrial conference.

Suppression motions, evidentiary-hearing motions in limine, and motions to exclude must be filed at least 10 days before the hearing.

Opposing counsel must be served with the specified pretrial motions at least 10 days before the hearing.

Boilerplate motions without a factual basis are prohibited, will be stricken, and do not satisfy the written-motion requirement.

A motion to compel discovery should be filed within 10 days after the discovery production date.

A motion to compel more adequate discovery should be filed within 10 days after incomplete discovery is provided.

Counsel must diligently pursue discovery and promptly notify opposing counsel of outstanding discovery requests.

A continuance motion should be written and filed at least 5 days before trial.

A continuance motion must be in writing.

A continuance motion for an in-custody defendant must be filed at least 48 hours before the court date to cancel jail transport.

Motions may be scheduled for hearing by contacting Judge Taylor's judicial assistant by phone or email.

Opposing counsel must be notified promptly whenever the case status changes.

An attorney unable to obtain hearing coverage should notify the judicial assistant as soon as possible.

Parties should contact the judicial assistant to obtain disposition continuance forms.

An attorney unable to attend a scheduled motion hearing for unforeseen circumstances must call the court and explain.

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