Judicial Practices and Procedures
Last updated 07/16/2026
August Bonavita, Judge
Carey Helmes, Judicial Assistant
205 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 4.2606
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Table of Contents
A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Method of Communication:
Division C email: CAD-DivisionC@pbcgov.org.
All communications to the judicial office should be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionC@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the following: (1) case number, (2) case name, and (3) relevant matter (e.g., 2024 MM 001234 – State v. Defendant – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
- Telephone:
- Self-represented litigants and attorneys excused from e-mail service may communicate with the judicial office by telephone call to (561) 355-2330. The judicial office does not accept text messages.
- Division C does not participate in Telephonic Hearings.
- Long distance telephone calls will not be returned by the Court.
- Written Correspondence:
- Any written correspondences shall be sent to the mailing address (see above).
- Written correspondences must contain the following: (1) case number, (2) case name, and (3) relevant matter/purpose of correspondence.
- All parties must be copied on any written correspondence directed to the judicial office
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.
The Judicial Assistant is not permitted to answer legal questions, give advice, or relay any messages or information to the Judge. You may speak to the Judge in court and only with your Attorney (unless pro-se) and the State Attorney present. Any ex parte communications will be returned, as it cannot be read, considered, or acted on by the Judge. Ex-parte communications are also subject to being filed of record by the Court.
E-Filing Portal Contact Information:
All attorneys must make and receive service by email in accordance with Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
Response to Inquiries:
The judicial assistant strives to respond to all inquiries within one business day. If the judicial assistant is unable to respond within one business day, your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a 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 response and an alternate contact for immediate assistance.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice. For assistance, you may contact the Clerk's Self-Service Center at (561) 355-7048 located on the first floor of the Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse. Additionally, the Palm Beach County Bar Association has a lawyer referral and information service at (561) 687-3266.
Other Communication Procedures:
All written communications related to but not limited to emails, sent to the Court are public records subject to disclosure pursuant to applicable Florida Statute(s).
All persons shall be professional and civil when contacting the Judicial Office, specifically when contacting the Judicial Assistant.
B. Scheduling Procedures for Trials, Motions and Other Hearings
Court Schedule:
Case Dispositions & Arraignments:
- Mondays at 8:30 a.m. (Pro se and Public Defender cases) and 9:30 a.m. (Private Counsel/ORCC)
- Case Dispositions and Arraignments are set by the Clerk of the Court.
Plea Conferences & Second Case Dispositions:
- Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. (Pro se and Public Defender cases) and 9:30 a.m. (Private Counsel/ORCC)
- Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. (all cases).
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the DEFENDANT'S PRESENCE IS REQUIRED for ALL plea conferences and Second Case Dispositions.
Violations of Probation/All Other Probation Hearings:
- Mondays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. (Pro se and Public Defender cases) and 9:30 a.m. (Private Counsel/ORCC) for ALL non-evidentiary hearings.
- Mondays and Fridays at 1:30 p.m. for ALL evidentiary hearings
- Motions filed on VOP cases will generally be heard on Monday and Friday mornings.
Final Traffic Infraction Hearings:
Final Traffic Infraction hearings are specially set by the Court on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Jury/Non-Jury Trials
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are specifically reserved for JURY TRIALS at 8:15 a.m.
Non-Jury Trials are specially set by the Court on Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons beginning at 1:30 PM.
The Court will issue a Trial Order setting forth trial procedures and deadlines at the time the matter is scheduled for Jury Trial.
Non-Jury Trials are specially set by the Court on Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Motion Hearings:
SHORT NON-EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS (NOT EXCEEDING FIVE (5) MINUTES): Hearings may be set on the Court's docket without the Court's permission on every available Monday, Thursday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. (Pro Se/Public Defender) and 9:30 a.m. (Private Counsel/ORCC). File the Motion along with a Notice of Hearing with the Clerk along with a courtesy copy to the Division's CAD email.
ALL OTHER MOTIONS: (e.g. Motions to Suppress, Motions in Limine, Restitution Hearings, and other Evidentiary Hearings). All motions requiring more than five (5) minutes are generally heard on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Monday and Friday afternoons beginning at 1:30 PM. All hearings that are requested on these must be scheduled with the Judicial Assistant. Please include on the Notice of Hearing the total amount of time reserved for the Motion Hearing.
MOTIONS TO (1) MODIFY PRETRIAL RELEASE, (2) REVOKE BOND & (3) MOTIONS TO WITHDRAW CAPIAS/WARRANT: Motions to (1) Modify Pretrial Release, (2) Revoke Bond and (3) Withdraw Capias/Warrant generally require a hearing regardless of whether agreed. Hearings on these motions are generally heard on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and must be scheduled with the Judicial Assistant. The Defendant's presence is required unless expressly waived by the Court.
Motions filed on VOP cases will generally be heard on Monday and Friday mornings.
Please Note: Absent an extraordinary circumstance, motions and/or requests for Court orders that are made by email and not by written motion as outlined above will not be considered by the Court.
Scheduling Hearings:
- All parties must comply with Local Rule 4 prior to setting any hearing. Any hearing set that is not in compliance with Local Rule 4 will be stricken sua sponte by the Court without notice.
- Parties must check the division's suspension calendar prior to scheduling a hearing.
- All Motions to Suppress, Motions in Limine, Bond Hearings, Restitution Hearings, Evidentiary Hearings, or hearings requiring longer than 5 minutes MUST be specially set.
- Special Set Hearings must be requested by email to CAD-DivisionC@pbcgov.org. The request should include the amount of time needed for each party's presentation, as well as a filed copy of the motion.
Suspension Dates and Court Holidays:
For suspension dates and holidays, please refer to the Division C Suspension Calendar
Notice of Hearing:
- A Notice of Hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time. The matter will not be placed on the docket by the Clerk of the Court until a Notice of Hearing is properly filed.
- 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.
- All notices of hearing must contain language that counsel has complied with Local Rule 4.
- A copy of your filed Notice of Hearing must be sent to the divisional email and copied to the opposing party.
Submission Deadlines:
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing, including case law, no later than three (3) business days before the hearing.
Order of Proceedings:
- Matters involving in-custody defendants will generally be heard before other matters.
- Matters using the services of Court Interpreters will generally be heard at 9:30 a.m.
- If the services of an interpreter are requested, counsel should be prepared with all paperwork and utilize the interpreter's time efficiently. If the services of an interpreter are not actively being used while present in the courtroom, the Court will excuse the Interpreter until the matter is ready. Once the Interpreter is excused from the courtroom, the matter will not be called until the Interpreter is able to return, which could take an extended amount of time.
Continuance Procedure:
Motions for continuance must be in writing and shall state with specificity:
- the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant;
- whether the motion is opposed;
- 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
- 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 with permission of the Court.
C. Remote Appearance
Remote Appearance Procedure:
Remote Hearings are generally held on Thursdays at 1:00 PM. Requests for remote hearings will be handled in accordance with the following procedure:
All requests for a remote hearing must be made by written Motion filed with the Clerk and served on all opposing parties together with a courtesy copy sent to the Court no later than three (3) business days before the scheduled hearing. The Motion must indicate (1) whether it's agreed to by all opposing parties; and (2) if speedy trial is being waived.
All parties must have a working audio and camera. Persons testifying must be prepared to display valid photo ID.
Please Note: Any request for a remote hearing made by any other means (ex. email, telephone, etc.) will NOT be considered by the Court.
Platform Used:
The court uses Zoom for UMC remote appearances.
Platform Meeting ID#:
Meeting Link: Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 824 2752 1203
Dial by your location:
US Toll-free 877-853-5257
US Toll-free 888-475-4499
Requirements:
- All parties must have a working audio and camera. Persons testifying must be prepared to display valid photo ID.
- 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 a remote proceeding. If using a smart phone or tablet, you must download the Zoom app.
D. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Deadline for Submissions:
Courtesy copies must be submitted to the court no later than three (3) business days before any hearing or trial.
E. 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.
Scheduling:
All requests to schedule an emergency hearing(s) must be by email to CAD-DivisionC@pbcgov.org, with opposing party copied, and must include a filed copy of the motion.
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.
F. Forms
Access:
Visit the Divsion C Forms and Orders page.
G. Other Division Procedures
Interpreter Requests:
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please use the circuit's Request a Court Interpreter application.
Information on interpreters' services can be found on the Court Interpreters page.
Order to Transport Required for Inmates
UPDATE: An Order to Transport is not required for the following types of hearings:
- Arraignment
- Plea Conference
- Calendar Call
- Jury/Non-Jury Trials
- Violation of Probation/ Preliminary hearings
- Bond Hearing/ Bond Revocation Hearing
- Motion to Suppress / Stand Your Ground Hearings
An Order to Transport an inmate is required for any other type of proceeding not listed above. Defense counsel shall submit a proposed order to transport no later than 3 PM on the last business day preceding the scheduled hearing to CAD-DivisionC@pbcgov.org. Please ensure to include the correct Jacket Number.
ADA Accommodations:
If you need an ADA accommodation, please contact William Hutchings, Jr., Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Palm Beach County Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, Florida 33401; telephone number (561) 355-4380.
Information on ADA accommodations can be found on the circuit's website Americans with Disabilities Act page.
H. Current Jury Trial Schedule
Jury Trials for 7/28/2026:
(listed in order of priority and subject to change)