Judicial Practices and Procedures
Last updated 05/01/20265
Marni Bryson, Judge
Nicole Tinari, Judicial Assistant
205 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 6.2204
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
E-mail: CAD-DivisionB@pbcgov.org
Table of Contents
A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Method of Communication:
Division E-mail
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionB@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2026 MM 001234 – State v. Doe – 1-Hour Hearing Requested).
Ex parte Communications:
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 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.
E-Filing Portal Contact Information:
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Response to Inquiries:
The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one business day. If the judicial assistant is unable to substantively respond within one business day, your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a substantive response and alternate contact for immediate assistance.
When the judicial assistant is out of the office, your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a substantive response and an alternate contact for immediate assistance.
Neither the Judge nor the Judicial Assistant can give legal advice regarding how to proceed with the case. For assistance, you can contact the Self-Help Center at 561-355-6781 located on the first floor of the Main West Palm Beach Courthouse or visit the self-service center in the Clerk's Office in the Satellite Courthouses. Additionally, the Palm Beach County Bar Association has a lawyer referral and information service at 561-687-3266.
Other Communication Procedures:
Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.
B. Scheduling Procedures
Court Schedule:
Trials are scheduled by the Judge and will be set on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
All hearings, with the exception of Jury Trials and select long motions, will be heard on Monday and Friday's at 9:00am.
Scheduling Hearings:
Parties may add any hearing, requiring 15 minutes or less, to the Court's docket on any Monday or Friday at 9:00 AM. Parties do not need prior approval from the judicial assistant – simply file a Notice of Hearing with the Clerk of Court.
"Short Motions" (15 minutes or less) - may be set on Mondays or Fridays at 9:00 AM without approval from the judicial assistant (e.g. Motion to Recall Capias).
"Long Motions" (30 minutes or more) – must be set through the judicial assistant by contacting CAD-DivisionB@pbcgov.org (e.g. Motion to Dismiss, Motion to Suppress).
Notice of Hearing:
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Divisional Zoom link.
All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Submission Deadlines:
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than two (2) business days before the hearing.
All Pretrial Motions must be filed and heard prior to the Pretrial hearing.
Order of Proceedings:
Matters involving in-custody defendants will generally be heard before other matters.
Matters involving parties appearing in-person will generally be heard before parties on ZOOM.
When a Court Interpreter is present in the courtroom, matters involving a Court Interpreter will generally be heard before all other matters.
Continuance Procedure:
Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. Successive continuances are highly disfavored. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).
Motions for continuance must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled court date for which the continuance is sought, barring exigent circumstances. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).
Motions for continuance must state with specificity: (1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed; (3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).
Cancelling Hearings:
Hearings in Criminal cases may only be cancelled or rescheduled by the Court.
C. Remote Appearance
Remote Appearance Procedure:
The court maintains a hybrid virtual courtroom, allowing parties to appear either in person or remotely, as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530. Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by written motion and filed with the Clerk no later than three (3) days before the scheduled hearing with a proposed order submitted through OLS.
Platform Used:
The Court uses Zoom remote platform for remote appearances.
Platform Meeting ID#:
Once a party makes a written request to appear remotely, the Court will include the Divisional Zoom Meeting ID within the Court's order.
Requirements:
- Requests for remote appearance must be submitted three (3) of days prior to the hearing.
- Certain hearings are eligible for remote appearance. These include Case Disposition and Status Hearings.
- Any person appearing remotely must be in a private location that is quiet and free from distractions. Under no circumstances will a participant be permitted to appear remotely from a moving vehicle.
- Any person appearing remotely must dress and behave professionally in the same manner as if physically present in the courtroom.
- Any person appearing remotely must enable the person's camera when joining the proceeding and keep the camera turned on until instructed otherwise by the court.
- Any person appearing remotely must mute the person's microphone when joining the proceeding and keep the microphone turned off until instructed otherwise by the court.
- If a witness appears remotely, the party calling the witness must ensure the witness has a functioning camera and microphone and has tested the internet connection before the hearing. The oath will be administered in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530.
Technology Needs:
All participants in a remote hearing must have a camera, microphone and speaker to allow them to be seen and heard during the hearing.
D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Format & Submission Method:
- All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
- All proposed orders and supporting documents must be submitted using the online scheduling system.
- Division B does not accept hard copies or emailed copies of Orders.
E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
The parties shall submit Jury Instructions and verdict forms to the Court via email ( CAD-DivisionB@pbcgov.org ) at least one (1) day prior to trial.
F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Requirements:
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.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court. All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Submission Method:
Original exhibits should be brough to Court for any hearing.
Format:
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: Insert label preference (e.g., "State 1" or "Defendant 1").
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
- The defendant must be present at the Pretrial hearing. Defense Counsel cannot waive a defendant's presence for a Pretrial hearing.
- All pretrial motions shall be filed, set and heard prior to the Court's pretrial hearing.
- Brief Motions in Limine may be heard the day of trial.
- Parties must be able to confirm witness availability at the Pretrial hearing.
I. Setting Case for Trial
The Court will set a Jury Trial date along with the Pretrial date.
The priority for trying cases is:
- speedy trial not waived, defendant in custody;
- speedy trial not waived, defendant not in custody;
- oldest case, defendant in custody;
- oldest case, defendant not in custody.
J. Forms
Hard Copy forms are available in the Courtroom and monitored/stocked by the Clerk of Court. (e.g. Plea Agreement Form, Waiver of Rights (English, Spanish, Creole), Blank Orders, etc)
K. Other Division Procedures
ADA Accommodations:
If you need an ADA accommodation, please call 561‐355‐4380. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1‐800‐955‐8771. You can also fax 561‐656‐7662, or e‐mail ADA@pbcgov.org.
Information on ADA accommodations can be found on the Circuit ADA web page.
Interpreter Requests:
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please contact the Court Interpreter's office - Court Interpreters page.
Information on interpreters' services can be found on the circuit's website at the following link: Court Interpreters page.