Requirements and Information
January 2023
Courtesy Copies to the Court: The scheduling attorney must provide Judge Boehm’s office with a courtesy copy of the Notice of Hearing as well as a copy of the motion being scheduled for hearing. Case law or memorandums of law should be provided to the Court no later than two business days prior to the hearing. Please do not email case law, but mail to Judge Boehm or hand-deliver to the courthouse. Notices of cancellation of hearing should be filed with the Clerk of the Court with a courtesy copy emailed to the Judicial Assistant. Correspondence sent to the Court must be copied to all parties. The Court will not review ex-parte communication.
Orders: Proposed orders may be submitted through the Sarasota Clerk of Court by e-filing through the portal pursuant to this Circuit’s Administrative Order 2022-1.2. If mailing proposed orders to the Court, parties must supply copies of the proposed order with copies for conforming and return stamped envelopes for all parties. In matters where both parties are represented by counsel, agreed orders may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant where service via email is indicated and email addresses are provided.
Emergency Hearings: All motions needing emergency hearing time can be faxed, delivered directly to Judge Boehm’s office, or submitted via email to the Judicial Assistant. Copies must be sent to the opposing party via the same delivery method. The motion should detail the circumstances of the emergency. The Court will review the motion and determine if an expedited hearing is warranted.
Motions for Rehearing, Reconsideration or New Trial: These motions must be filed and immediately sent to the Court. The Court will review the motion and determine if a hearing is warranted. Hearings set without the Court’s prior approval will be cancelled.
Professionalism: All attorneys are required to follow the Local Rules and Standards of Professionalism for the 12th Judicial Circuit. The Court adheres to local rules 5(a) and 5(b) regarding discovery motions. Any motion not in full compliance with these rules (including a certificate of good faith) is subject to being stricken.
Scheduling Civil Hearings: All civil hearings shall be scheduled through the JACS. However, hearings that require over 30 minutes shall be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant at (941) 861-3050 or email. Hearings are limited to the time reserved. All motions must be filed prior to or simultaneously when scheduling the hearing time. If the motion or Notice of Hearing is not filed in the court file, the hearing may be cancelled.
Civil ZOOM Hearings: Most civil hearings shall be held by Zoom except evictions, trials, evidentiary hearings and non-evidentiary hearings expected to last longer than fifteen minutes. The Notice of Hearing must include information about how to utilize Zoom including the Meeting ID and Password. Failure to comply with this requirement may necessitate rescheduling of the hearing.
In-Person Hearings: Trials, evictions, evidentiary hearings (except for hearings on claims of exemption), and non-evidentiary hearings expected to last longer than fifteen minutes will be held in person in Courtroom A. These hearings shall be noticed with language that the hearing shall be held in person in the Courtroom and not by Zoom. Requests to appear by Zoom will be granted upon the Court’s finding of good cause if Judge Boehm receives the request no less than 3 business days prior to the scheduled hearing and otherwise is in compliance with Rule 2.530 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
Case Management: Twelfth Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 2021.17.1 includes case management requirements in most county civil actions. Please review and comply with the requirements set forth in that order.
Small Claims Cases: All parties are required to appear in person at the Pretrial Conference (PTC) unless excused by the Court. Failure to appear may result in a default judgment or dismissal of the case. Please visit the Circuit's small claims procedures webpage for more information. Requests to continue the PTC must be in writing and filed with the Clerk’s Office with a copy to the Judicial Assistant and all parties. Additionally, parties may file a Stipulation for Small Claims Mediation form found on the website no less than 2 days prior to the PTC. Attendance at Mediation is mandatory before a trial date may be set.
At this time, most criminal case hearings will be held in person in Courtroom A and shall be likewise noticed unless set at a previous hearing. This includes trials, evidentiary hearings, docket sounding, violation of probation hearings, trial status hearings, arraignments, non-jury trials, and open pleas. The hearings that may be scheduled via Zoom are as follows: criminal pretrial conferences, negotiated pleas, pleas in absentia, and other non- evidentiary matters expected to last less than 10 minutes. Please note that those individuals appearing live will be heard prior to those appearing on Zoom.
Defendant’s Appearance Required: Defendant’s appearance is required with private and public defender representation unless a Stipulation & Order for Continuance and/or Waiver of Appearance has been signed by all parties (including Defendant) and filed with the Clerk. However, the Defendant’s appearance cannot be waived at Docket Sounding without prior written approval of the Court.
Criminal Hearings: Hearings are scheduled through the Judicial Assistant at (941) 861-3050. Requests to appear by Zoom will be granted upon the Court’s finding of good cause if Judge Boehm receives the request no less than 3 business days prior to the scheduled hearing and otherwise is in compliance with Rule 2.530 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
Criminal Pretrial Conferences: Criminal PTCs will be held on Zoom. The Court will stagger times for private attorneys to appear by Zoom and her Judicial Assistant will email counsel 1-2 days prior to the hearing with the time to appear. For a continuance, the PTC may be continued twice without the need for defense counsel to appear, provided that the defense attorney has submitted to the Judicial Assistant the Stipulation to Continue Pretrial Conference form prior to the scheduled Pretrial Conference. If the case has been continued twice before, written approval from the assistant state attorney and the Defendant is required. Please contact the Judicial Assistant to schedule a time for a negotiated plea during PTCs and ensure that all paperwork has been submitted to the Court at least 24 hours prior.
ZOOM Criminal Hearings: Negotiated pleas, pleas in absentia or other non-evidentiary matters expected to last less than 10 minutes may be noticed as a Zoom hearing. When scheduling the hearing with the Judicial Assistant, please apprise her of the need for a Zoom hearing. The Notice of Hearing must include information about how to utilize Zoom including the Meeting ID and Password. Failure to comply with this requirement may necessitate rescheduling of the hearing.
Plea Forms: If a Defendant is pleading by Zoom, please mail, hand deliver or email to the Judicial Assistant the plea form with fingerprints at least 24 hours prior to the plea hearing. Judge Boehm requires fingerprints for all pleas taken over Zoom. If the Defendant is entering a plea to probation, the Court may allow the Defendant to procure fingerprints as an additional condition of probation. If applicable, the State shall ensure that the victim has notice of the hearing and the ability to participate in the hearing.
Plea in Absentia Form: All pleas in absentia must be delivered to Judge Boehm at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.