Judicial Practices and Procedures
Last updated 07/15/2026
Ashley Zuckerman, Judge
Audrie Leo, Judicial Assistant
Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse, Courtroom 9E
205 North Dixie Hwy, Room 9.2212
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Table of Contents
A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Method of Communication:
Division email – Parties shall use the divisional email CAD-DivisionM@pbcgov.org when sending correspondence to this Division, and cc all appropriate parties.
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.
Unsolicited Communications:
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
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.
- All filings must be made through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused under Rule 2.516.
Response to Inquiries:
The Judicial Assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice. The Judicial Assistant will timely respond to all inquiries and will acknowledge your message as received.
Other Communication Procedures:
Any email to or from the judicial office may be subject to public records disclosure.
B. Scheduling Procedures
Court Schedule:
Case Dispositions – Set on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8:30 a.m.
Sentencing Hearings – Generally scheduled Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.
Calendar Call – Held every available Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Trials and Special Set Hearings – scheduled by the Court.
Scheduling Hearings:
Division M deadlines are in accordance with the Order Setting Pretrial Motion Deadlines (see scheduling order under Forms & Orders. Parties are expected to have reviewed and complied with all deadlines accordingly.
Hearings must be requested by email to CAD-DivisionM@pbcgov.org.
Attorneys may set cases on the docket without Court approval on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. (limited to matters requiring 5 minutes or less). Please send a courtesy copy of all motions to the CAD email.
All other motions or matters may be set through the Judicial Assistant by sending a scheduling request to CAD-DivisionM@pbcgov.org. Please remember to include the case number, type of motion, and quantity of time requested in your email.
Notice of Hearing:
A courtesy copy of all motions and notice of hearing must be sent to CAD-DivisionM@pbcgov.org upon e-filing. A confirmation email will be sent by the Judicial Assistant.
Submission Deadlines:
The court will review all materials timely submitted prior to the hearing.
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.
- 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).
C. Remote Appearance
Remote Appearance Procedure:
All hearings are held in-person absent prior approval and court order.
Requests to appear remotely must be filed by written motion no later than 3 days before the hearing, with a proposed order submitted through OLS.
D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Format:
Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format, with supporting documents in PDF format through the Online Services (OLS) system or the Florida e-filing portal.
Submission Method:
Orders must be submitted via Online Services (OLS) or the Florida e-filing portal. Division M does not accept hard copies of orders.
Proposed orders should only be uploaded as "AGREED" if all parties have confirmed agreement in writing. Improper submissions may result in sanctions.
E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
When Required:
Courtesy copies of motion and notice of hearing must be emailed to CAD-DivisionM@pbcgov.org upon e-filing with the Clerk.
Pursuant to Rule 3.191(b)(1), a courtesy copy of any Demand for Speedy Trial shall be provided to the divisional email.
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.
Scheduling:
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled.
G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Submission Method:
Parties may submit exhibits electronically or in advance with a zip drive if agreed upon by the parties.
H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Calendar Calls are held Fridays at 8:30 am and are conducted in-person. Parties must be prepared to discuss witness availability and trial length. The presence of the defendant is required in court unless previously excused. Parties are expected to have reviewed the Order Setting Pretrial Motion Deadlines to ensure timeliness of motions.
I. Setting Case for Trial
Procedure:
At calendar call, a trial date will be set.
Trials are held weekly beginning Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. following Friday calendar call.
J. Forms & Orders
 | Standing Order Regarding Transportation of Defendants (PDF) |
| Sample Scheduling Order on Division M cases (PDF) |
K. Other Division Procedures
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 Americans with Disabilities Act page.
Interpreter Requests:
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please submit a request via the Circuit's Request a Court Interpreter app. Additional information can be found on the Circuit's Court Interpreter webpage.
Other Division Procedures:
All hearings in Division M are in-person unless otherwise ordered.
Cameras are prohibited absent special Court approval and compliance with Rule 2.450 and Administrative Order No. 2.208-8/24*.
Parties must remain professional and civil at all times in court and correspondence.