Court Rules

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County Sealing & Redaction Procedures

10 rules from official source documents

6 of 10 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.

Procedures for filing sealed or redacted documents, including required motions and formats. This page is scoped to Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

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

Criminal cases

If sealing any portion of the application or sworn affidavit is requested, the agency must email a separate Motion to Determine Confidentiality of Court Records to the County Criminal Division C judicial assistant simultaneously with the application.

If the law enforcement agency wishes the court to seal any portion of the application or sworn affidavit, it must e-mail to the judicial assistant of County Criminal Division "C" a separate Motion to Determine Confidentiality of Court Records simultaneously with the application.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Civil cases

A party may not file documents under seal without first obtaining a court order authorizing sealing based on a particularized showing of need under Florida law.

A party-must not file documentsunder seal withouthaving first obtained an order granting leave·of court to file documentsunderseal based upon a showing of particularizedneed·in accordance with Floridalaw.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Civil cases

The arbitrators' decision must be filed under seal so that it is not disclosed to the presiding judge.

Arbitrators are required to file their decision under seal so that the decision is not made known to the presiding judge.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Civil cases

The arbitration decision remains under seal if a timely request for trial de novo is filed.

If a request for trial de novo is timely filed , the clerk will continue to maintain the arbitrators' decision under seal.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Criminal cases

Attached documentation must be redacted as applicable, including removal of banking or credit card account numbers from proof of payment.

Any attached documentation must be redacted as applicable (e.g., removal of banking or credit card account numbers on proof of payment).

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Criminal cases

Confidential patient treatment records generally may not be filed in the court file.

Patient treatment records are deemed confidential as provided by Florida law and generally must not be filed in the court file.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

As provided by Rule 8 .835(b), the court file must be sealed unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Summary: The court file must be sealed unless the court orders otherwise.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

If there is a request for confidentiality, the documents shall be emailed to the Judicial Assistant probatedivisionb@fljud13.org for the court to review in camera.

Summary: Documents for which confidentiality is requested must be emailed to the judicial assistant for in-camera judicial review.

Judge Caroline Tesche Arkin

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

If there is a request for confidentiality, the documents shall be emailed to the Judicial Assistant probatedivisiona@fljud13.org for the court to review in camera.

Summary: Documents subject to a confidentiality request must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant for in-camera judicial review.

Judge Catherine M. Catlin

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Civil cases

The court may seal any portion of the court file pertaining to the request for approval ===== PAGE 2 ===== of a fee contract or for authorization for a fee division in excess of 25%.

Summary: The court may seal portions of the court file concerning contingent-fee approval or authorization of a fee division exceeding 25%.

Court-level rulesOfficial source
Common questions about Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County sealing & redaction procedures

How does Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings in Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County. If sealing any portion of the application or sworn affidavit is requested, the agency must email a separate Motion to Determine Confidentiality of Court Records to the County Criminal Division C judicial assistant simultaneously with the application.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 6, section 4. Initial Probable Cause Determination under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act — C. Confidentiality

Judge Caroline Tesche Arkin's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file unredacted to chambers. Documents for which confidentiality is requested must be emailed to the judicial assistant for in-camera judicial review. Machine summary, not yet verified; check the linked order.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

Judge Catherine M. Catlin's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file unredacted to chambers. Documents subject to a confidentiality request must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant for in-camera judicial review. Machine summary, not yet verified; check the linked order.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

7 more rules answer this question in the list above.