Hearing Prep Mode
Walk in organized. Walk out with a plan.
Hearing preparation is organization, not argument coaching: know the procedure, bring the proof, respect the format. Pick your county to pull its actual hearing procedures from BenchPath.
The universal prep list
01
Confirm the hearing
Date, time, length, judge/magistrate, and whether it's Zoom or in person. The notice of hearing controls.
02
Know what the hearing decides
A motion calendar hearing is short and narrow; a special set or evidentiary hearing takes testimony. Prepare for the one you actually have.
03
Organize exhibits
Number them, bring the required copies, and know your county's submission procedure — many divisions require pre-submission for Zoom hearings.
04
Line up witnesses
Who, why, and whether they need subpoenas. Confirm remote-appearance rules if any witness is remote.
05
Draft the timeline
One page: the key dates and facts you need the judge to absorb quickly.
06
Check the proposed-order procedure
Some divisions want proposed orders before the hearing, in editable format, through a specific channel.
07
Plan court day
Parking, security lines, childcare (children generally should not come), documents in a binder, phone silenced.
08
Plan the after
Who prepares the order, when it's due, and what you must start doing the moment it's signed.
escambia hearing & division procedures
Proposed OrdersC. Robert Hilliard · Santa Rosa
First Cir. — C. Robert Hilliard C Hilliard: Proposed orders
12 verbatim practice requirements published by C Hilliard.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Courtesy CopiesJ. Scott Duncan · Santa Rosa
First Cir. — J. Scott Duncan, Administrative Judge J Duncan: Courtesy copies & materials
17 verbatim practice requirements published by J Duncan.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Proposed OrdersJose A. Giraud · Santa Rosa
First Cir. — Jose A. Giraud Jose Giraud: Proposed orders
12 verbatim practice requirements published by Jose Giraud.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Special Set HearingsLacey Powell Clark · Okaloosa
First Cir. — Lacey Powell Clark Lacey Clark: Hearings & scheduling
57 verbatim practice requirements published by Lacey Clark.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Courtesy CopiesR. Todd Harris · Escambia
First Cir. — R. Todd Harris R Harris: Courtesy copies & materials
13 verbatim practice requirements published by R Harris.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Proposed OrdersScott Ritchie · Escambia
First Cir. — Scott Ritchie Scott Ritchie: Proposed orders
11 verbatim practice requirements published by Scott Ritchie.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Proposed OrdersW. Joel Boles · Escambia
First Cir. — W. Joel Boles W Boles: Proposed orders
1 verbatim practice requirement published by W Boles.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Proposed OrdersWilliam F. Stone · Okaloosa
First Cir. — William F. Stone, Administrative Judge William Stone: Proposed orders
13 verbatim practice requirements published by William Stone.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Proposed OrdersBarry Dickson · Okaloosa
First Cir. — Barry E. Dickson, Jr. Barry Dickson: Proposed orders
8 verbatim practice requirements published by Barry Dickson.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Special Set HearingsCharles Young · Escambia
First Cir. — Charles Young Charles Young: Hearings & scheduling
28 verbatim practice requirements published by Charles Young.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Special Set HearingsDavid Oberliesen · Okaloosa
First Cir. — David Oberliesen David Oberliesen: Hearings & scheduling
17 verbatim practice requirements published by David Oberliesen.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Proposed OrdersJohn L. Miller · Escambia
First Cir. — John L. Miller John Miller: Proposed orders
13 verbatim practice requirements published by John Miller.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Special Set HearingsMatt Gordon · Escambia
First Cir. — Matt Gordon Matt Gordon: Hearings & scheduling
16 verbatim practice requirements published by Matt Gordon.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Proposed OrdersSteven Warrick · Santa Rosa
First Cir. — Steven Warrick Steven Warrick: Proposed orders
5 verbatim practice requirements published by Steven Warrick.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.