Judge Michael J. Scionti
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Reference Materials
Exhibits
Chambers Copy
Court-wideCourtesy copies
Court-wide
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and require good cause, must be requested at least five business days before the scheduled court date, and generally must be signed by the requesting party.
Communication
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.
All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Adobe AcrobatTM (.PDF) format.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Each party must email a marked-up Microsoft Word (.DOC) version of a disputed proposed order to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division.
If an order is disputed, each party shall submit a marked-up version in Microsoft WordTM (.DOC) format by e-mail to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division listed above.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Exhibits must be labeled “State’s Exhibit 1” or “Defendant’s Exhibit 1,” using the applicable sequential exhibit number.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: State’s Exhibit 1 or Defendant’s Exhibit 1.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving the date and time, and must include the judicial Zoom credentials for virtual appearances and the required ADA notification.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving the hearing date and time. A notice of hearing involving virtual appearance must list the judicial ZoomTM credentials. All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification as required by law.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A motion requesting an emergency hearing must state the issues, reasons for emergency, and time needed for each party's presentation.
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, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
Document Type
Emergency Hearing Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A disputed proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying the parties' disagreement.
If the parties are in disagreement, the proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
Document Type
Disputed Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A stipulated order must identify itself as stipulated in the title or body.
Stipulated orders must be reflected as such in the title or body of the proposed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All proposed orders must be uploaded through the court E-Filing Portal.
All proposed orders shall be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All exhibits must be submitted electronically through the E-Filing Portal.
All exhibits must be summited electronically through the E-Filing Portal.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk in paper format.
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after the hearing date and time are reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving the hearing date and time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All hearing materials must be received by the judicial office no later than three business days before the hearing.
The judicial office must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All proposed orders must be submitted within five business days after the hearing.
All proposed orders must be submitted within five (5) business days after the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
The requesting party must immediately file and serve a cancellation notice on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
The party requesting the cancellation must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self- represented litigant.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Unless the court orders otherwise, all exhibits must be brought to the hearing or trial.
Unless otherwise ordered, all exhibits must be brought to court at the time of the hearing or trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The cancellation notice must be served immediately on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
The party requesting the cancellation must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self- represented litigant.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must reach the judge no later than two business days before the hearing.
Courtesy copies of case law and any other proposed reference materials shall be submitted to the judge no later than two (2) business days before the scheduled hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Attorneys and self-represented defendants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, judge, and every party.
All attorneys and self-represented defendants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the judge, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be emailed to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division.
Courtesy copies of case law and any other proposed reference materials must be submitted to the judicial office by e-mail to the applicable Circuit Criminal ===== PAGE 4 ===== Division listed above
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and require good cause, must be requested at least five business days before the scheduled court date, and generally must be signed by the requesting party.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A motion for continuance must be submitted at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled court date. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance as required by law.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Emails to the judicial office must comply with the prohibition on unauthorized ex parte communications and must copy all parties unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
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 ===== PAGE 2 ===== 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.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearing requests must be emailed to the applicable criminal division and should propose a date and time convenient to both sides; if no agreement is reached, the judicial assistant selects the judge's earliest available time.
Requests for a hearing must be submitted by e-mail to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division listed above. Parties should identify a hearing date and time that is convenient for both sides; however, if a hearing date and time cannot be agreed upon, the judicial assistant will schedule the hearing date and time based upon the earliest availability of the judge.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A request for judicial Zoom credentials must be emailed to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division at least three business days in advance and is subject to the judge's approval.
Because each Circuit Criminal Division listed above is subject to strictly enforced confidentiality laws and privacy guidelines regarding the release, sharing, and/or exchange of information regarding a defendant’s medical, mental health, and/or substance use disorder treatment, requests to use the judicial ZoomTM credentials for virtual appearances must be submitted at least three (3) business days in advance by e-mail to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division listed above. Please note, use of the judicial ZoomTM credentials for virtual appearances is subject to the judge’s approval.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | C. Remote Appearance
A request to cancel a hearing must be emailed immediately to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division.
Cancelling Hearings: Requests to cancel a hearing must be submitted immediately by e-mail to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division listed above.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A request for judicial Zoom credentials must be emailed at least three business days in advance and is subject to the judge's approval.
Requirements: Requests to use the judicial ZoomTM credentials for virtual appearances must be submitted at least three (3) business days in advance by e-mail to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division listed above. Please note, use of the judicial ZoomTM credentials for virtual appearances is subject to the judge’s approval.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | C. Remote Appearance
Communications with the judicial office must be sent by email to the applicable criminal division, with specified subject-line information and the opposing party's position.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e- mail to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division listed above. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025-CF-001234 – State v. John Doe – One Hour Hearing Requested). The e-mail should also expressly state whether the opposing party opposes or agrees to the request.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The judge will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must contact the judicial office only as permitted by the stated practices and procedures.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the judge. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented defendants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders and update it using Form 2.603 when the registered email account changes.
All attorneys and self-represented defendants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. See Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented defendants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Each party must send the marked-up disputed order by email to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division.
If an order is disputed, each party shall submit a marked-up version in Microsoft WordTM (.DOC) format by e-mail to the applicable Circuit Criminal Division listed above.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments