Requirements & Information

Contact Information

Requirements & Information

Standards of Professionalism

Judge Moreland expects all attorneys who appear to know and adhere to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s Standards of Professionalism, also available on the websites of the Manatee County Bar Association and the Sarasota County Bar Association.

Important These procedures govern proceedings in Circuit Criminal Division III (eff. 01/04/2027) unless otherwise specified. These procedures also apply to proceedings assigned to Civil Divisions R and S to the extent they are consistent with applicable rules, statutes, administrative orders, and any division-specific directions issued by the Court.

Pursuant to the applicable provisions of Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.530 and Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.116, attorneys may appear remotely via Zoom for non-evidentiary proceedings scheduled for 30 minutes or less, upon written motion and entry of an order granting the request, unless the Court finds good cause to deny remote appearance.

Motions to appear remotely must be filed with the Clerk of Court and served on opposing counsel. A courtesy copy of the motion and a proposed order must also be submitted to the Court at least one business day before the scheduled hearing. Motions that do not comply with these requirements may not be considered before the hearing. Filing a motion to appear remotely does not excuse in-person attendance unless and until the Court enters an order authorizing remote appearance.

Unless otherwise authorized by the Court, all other proceedings will be conducted in person in Courtroom 8A.

The Court permits competency experts to testify remotely via Zoom, subject to the applicable rules governing remote testimony. A party requesting the in-person appearance of a competency expert must demonstrate good cause. Absent good cause, the Court may assess any additional costs associated with the expert’s in-person appearance against the requesting party, as authorized by law.

Appearing via Zoom is appearing in Court. All participants must dress and conduct themselves as they would in the courtroom. Cameras must remain on throughout the proceeding unless otherwise directed by the Court. Participants must be in a quiet, appropriate location, free from distractions, and must remain muted unless speaking.

Remote Witnesses: The attorney presenting a witness remotely is responsible for ensuring that the witness has a functioning camera and microphone and has tested the internet connection before the hearing. The attorney must also make appropriate arrangements for administration of the witness’s oath in accordance with Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.116(d)(3) and Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.530(b)(2)(B).

Judge Moreland serves as the Zoom meeting host.

1. Launch Zoom and select “Join a Meeting.”
2. Enter Meeting ID: 892 991 4797
3. Enter Passcode: 841 868
4. Enter your full name when joining the meeting.

Telephone-only appearances are not permitted unless expressly authorized by the Court.

Scheduling

If your client is in custody and requires transportation for a court proceeding, refer to the Inmate Transport procedures in Section K.

• All motions must be filed prior to reserving or requesting hearing time.
• Hearing time is limited to what is reserved. The opposing party is entitled to equal time. The reserving party should confer with opposing counsel regarding total time required.
• Hearings one hour or less: All hearings one hour or less are to be reserved through the JACS.
• Hearings more than one hour: All requests for hearing times exceeding one hour must be made by emailing the Judicial Assistant, copied to opposing counsel, with the style of the case, the subject of the motion, DIN, date the motion was filed, and total time required. The time requested must include the aggregate time needed for all parties to complete their presentations, understanding the total time will ordinarily be evenly divided.
• Attorneys are not permitted to schedule back-to-back hearings to acquire a longer block of time.
• Once time for plea or motion is reserved via JACS or Judicial Assistant, another motion may not be substituted without prior Court approval and consent of opposing counsel.
• Each Assistant State Attorney has assigned days to appear in court for pleas and motions. The reserving party must determine which Assistant State Attorney is assigned to a case and schedule the plea or motion accordingly. Please consult the judge’s monthly calendars for assigned days before setting a case for hearing. Any hearing set on a day not assigned to the Assistant State Attorney, without court approval, will be cancelled without notice by the Court.
• Any party wishing to add a case, plea or motion to a docket after JACS is closed, must email the Judicial Assistant, copied to opposing counsel, no later than 10:45 a.m. the day prior to the hearing, for Court approval. The requesting party must have the approval of opposing counsel or include the reason for the objection prior to contacting the Judicial Assistant. If approved, the Judicial Assistant will respond by email and contact the Clerk’s office.
• The Court is aware it may be necessary to set pleas and motions on dates other than those designated to a specific Assistant State Attorney. On those rare occasions the requesting party must email the Judicial Assistant, copied to opposing counsel, with the style of the case, the subject of the motion, DIN and date the motion was filed, and total time needed to complete same. The time requested must include the aggregate time needed for all parties to complete their presentations, understanding unless otherwise authorized by the Court, the total time will be divided equally between the parties. The requesting party must have the approval of opposing counsel or include the reason for objection prior to contacting the Judicial Assistant. The Judicial Assistant will respond by email including several alternate times and dates. The Judicial Assistant will hold the proposed times for forty-eight (48) hours. If neither party confirms the proposed hearing within that period, the times will be released.
• Paperless: Unless otherwise authorized by the Court, hearing materials must be submitted electronically in accordance with Section E, Courtesy Copies and Hearing Materials.

Cancellations

Hearings must be canceled through JACS whenever possible. If JACS no longer permits cancellation, the scheduling party must contact the Judicial Assistant to request cancellation.

A Notice of Cancellation must be filed with the Clerk of Court. The scheduling party is responsible for promptly notifying the Court and all parties of any cancellation, regardless of the method used.

Cancellations Within 24 Hours: If a hearing is canceled within 24 hours of its scheduled start time, the scheduling party must notify the Judicial Assistant by both email and telephone, with opposing counsel copied on the email, to ensure the Court receives timely notice. Filing a Notice of Cancellation does not remove a hearing from the Court's calendar.

A hearing scheduled pursuant to Court order may not be cancelled unilaterally by the parties. Cancellation or rescheduling of a Court-ordered hearing requires prior Court approval.

Noticing hearings

Important A Notice of Hearing is required for all hearings scheduled before the Court regardless of duration or nature.

When drafting a notice of hearing, you must be clear as to how the parties are appearing.

1. If appearing remotely via Zoom, you must include Judge Moreland’s Zoom credentials.
2. If “in-person”, you must include the courtroom assignment and the physical address of the Manatee County Judicial Center or Silvertooth Judicial Center as applicable.
3. If “in-person” and via Zoom, you must include that this is a “hybrid appearance” and must include both Judge Moreland’s Zoom credentials and courtroom assignment and the physical address of the Manatee County Judicial Center or Silvertooth Judicial Center as applicable.

Judge Moreland is required to apply the same rules and procedures to all parties, whether represented by an attorney or appearing without counsel. The proper opportunity to address the Court about your case is during a scheduled court proceeding or through an appropriately filed motion. The Judge cannot discuss a pending case with a party or attorney outside an authorized court proceeding, except as permitted by law. Accordingly, do not call or email Judge Moreland to discuss your case.

Judge Moreland’s Judicial Assistant may assist with scheduling hearings and other administrative matters but cannot provide legal advice, discuss the merits of your case, or communicate with the Assistant State Attorney on your behalf. Information regarding your case, including docket entries and filed documents, may be obtained through the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Filing a motion does not automatically bring it to the Judge’s attention. If you seek judicial action, you must file the appropriate motion with the Clerk of Court, serve all parties as required by applicable rules, and provide a copy to the Court in accordance with these procedures. Providing a copy to the Court does not replace the requirements for filing, service and notice required by applicable rules or laws.

Emails are not motions: The Court will not treat an email as a motion or request for judicial relief. A party seeking an order or ruling must file the appropriate motion. Email correspondence is not a substitute for filing, service and notice required by applicable rules or laws.

The submission of a filed motion or other document expressly permitted by these procedures does not constitute an improper request for judicial action by email, provided that all applicable filing, service, and notice requirements have been satisfied.

Exception for Emergency and Urgent Matters: A copy of a motion that has already been filed with the Clerk of Court may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant when expressly authorized by these divisional procedures, including emergency or expedited motions and motions for release of uncharged defendants. All opposing attorneys and unrepresented parties must be copied unless otherwise authorized by law.

Email communications with the Judicial Assistant are limited to scheduling, administrative matters, and submission of documents permitted by these procedures.

Emails must not contain legal arguments, statements concerning disputed facts, requests for substantive rulings, or attempts to persuade the Court on any issue.

All emails concerning a pending case must include opposing counsel or any unrepresented opposing party, unless an ex parte communication is expressly authorized by law.

Communications must be professional, concise, and limited to information necessary for administrative purposes. Inflammatory, disparaging, or adversarial statements are inappropriate.

Do not copy Judge Moreland or the Judicial Assistant on correspondence between attorneys or parties unless the communication is specifically directed to the Court’s office for a permitted purpose.

Important Mandatory use of the Portal: The Florida Courts E-Filing Authority maintains a single, statewide access point to file court documents known as the E-filing Portal. Attorneys are required to file documents electronically through the Portal, subject to applicable exceptions. Self-represented litigants may elect to file electronically but are not generally required to do so. Filing and service requirements are governed by Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.525 and 2.516. For assistance, see the Portal Training Videos, including the video titled Submitting a Proposed Order.

Downloadable proposed orders: The Court provides standard forms for commonly addressed matters. When a form is available, Judge Moreland prefers that it be used. These forms contain provisions and directions designed to assist the Clerk of Court in accurately maintaining case records.

You can access Judge Moreland’s standard order forms at Division Documents & Preferred Forms.

Electronic Submission Requirements through the Portal: The Court’s preferred method of receiving proposed orders is electronically through the Portal. Proposed orders must be submitted directly to the Court through the proposed order section of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (Portal), not filed as pleadings on the case docket.

All proposed electronically submitted orders must comply with the following requirements:

• Proposed orders: Microsoft Word format only.
• Cover letters: PDF/A format only. Every proposed order must include a cover letter.
• Attachments: Any attachment incorporated into a proposed order must be submitted simultaneously through the Portal in PDF/A format.
• Documents to be recorded: Any proposed order or judgment requiring recording must include a blank 3-inch by 3-inch space in the upper right corner of the first page for the Clerk's recording stamp.

The submitting party must provide all other attorneys and unrepresented parties with a copy of the proposed order and cover letter before submission to the Court.

The cover letter must identify whether the proposed order is agreed, opposed, or submitted following a hearing at which the Court orally announced its ruling. If submitted following a hearing, the cover letter must identify the hearing date and indicate whether the parties agree on its form.

Agreed and Disputed Proposed Orders: Before submitting a proposed order, Judge Moreland expects the submitting party to provide a copy to all opposing attorneys and unrepresented parties and make a good faith effort to obtain agreement on its form and content before submitting it to the Court.

If the parties agree, the cover letter must identify the proposed order as agreed.

If the parties cannot agree on the form of the order, or an attorney or party fails to respond within a reasonable time, the submitting party may submit the proposed order with a cover letter briefly identifying the disagreement or describing the efforts made to obtain agreement.

When the parties disagree on the form or content of a proposed order, competing proposed orders should be submitted contemporaneously whenever practicable. Each proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying the disputed provisions and confirming that the proposed order has been provided to all opposing attorneys and unrepresented parties.

Submission of competing proposed orders is not a substitute for filing an appropriate motion or obtaining a hearing when the parties dispute the substantive relief requested.

The Court will not establish or monitor a five-business-day objection period for proposed orders. Do not submit a proposed order with instructions directing the Court to hold it for a specified period to allow objections. It is the responsibility of the submitting party, not the Court or its staff, to determine the opposing party’s position before submission. Proposed orders containing such instructions will be rejected.

Proposed orders submitted as hearing materials for the Court’s advance review may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant in accordance with Section E. Proposed orders submitted for the Court’s signature must be transmitted through the proposed-order section of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless otherwise authorized by the Court.

Paper Submissions

When a paper proposed order is necessary, it may be submitted by U.S. Mail with sufficient copies and self-addressed, stamped envelopes for service on all parties. If entered, the order(s) will be filed, and if no copies or envelopes are provided, counsel may retrieve copies from the Clerk’s website for distribution.

With prior approval from Judge Moreland or the Judicial Assistant, proposed orders may also be delivered to Court Administration on the eighth floor of the Manatee County Judicial Center.

Do not submit duplicate proposed orders through multiple methods.

Litigation by Letter/Phone Calls to the Court

Attorneys and parties may not attempt to litigate disputed issues through letters, emails, telephone calls, or correspondence copied to the Court or Judicial Assistant. Such communications are improper and will not be considered as requests for judicial relief.

If the parties cannot resolve a disputed issue after conferring, the appropriate motion must be filed and a hearing scheduled when necessary. The Court will not consider or respond to correspondence concerning contested issues. All requests for judicial action must be presented through properly filed motions and appropriate court proceedings, except as otherwise authorized by law.

The Court has access to the Clerk's electronic docket. Courtesy copies of documents filed and available on the Clerk's docket at least three (3) business days before the scheduled hearing are not required, unless otherwise directed by the Court.

Any hearing materials not available on the Clerk's electronic docket must be provided to the Court electronically as soon as practicable, but no later than three (3) business days before the hearing, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

Supporting legal authorities on which a party intends to rely shall be provided no later than three (3) business days before the hearing, unless otherwise ordered.

All submissions must identify the case name, case number, and hearing date and must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at LFritz@jud12.flcourts.org. Each document must be submitted as a separate PDF file. Combined PDF files and compressed ZIP files will not be accepted. Opposing counsel and unrepresented parties must be copied on the submission, unless otherwise authorized by law.

Failure to timely provide required hearing materials may result in cancellation or rescheduling of the hearing, as appropriate.

Emergency Motions: Prior to filing an emergency motion, the moving attorney must confer with opposing counsel and make a good-faith effort to resolve the issue, unless circumstances make such consultation impracticable. Any efforts to confer, or the reasons consultation was not possible, must be described in the motion.

If the matter remains unresolved, the motion must be filed with the Clerk of Court. A copy of the filed motion, together with a cover letter, must also be emailed or delivered directly to the Judge's office, with copies provided to all opposing attorneys and unrepresented parties, unless otherwise authorized by law.

The motion must specifically identify the nature of the emergency or urgency, the requested relief, and the total hearing time necessary for all parties to complete their presentations. The requested hearing time must reflect the aggregate time needed by all parties, with the understanding that the allotted time will ordinarily be divided equally.

The Judicial Assistant is not authorized to determine whether a matter constitutes an emergency or to independently offer or schedule emergency or expedited hearing time. Judge Moreland will review the motion and determine whether an emergency hearing, expedited hearing, or regular hearing scheduled through the Judicial Automated Calendaring System (JACS) is appropriate. The Judicial Assistant will communicate the results of Judge Moreland’s review.

• Emergency Hearings: Matters determined by the Court to constitute emergencies will receive the highest scheduling priority and may be set at any time between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., subject to the Court's availability. All parties and counsel must make themselves available as directed by the Court, unless excused by the Judge.
• Expedited Hearings: Matters approved for expedited consideration will be scheduled according to the Court's availability between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The moving party is responsible for coordinating the hearing date and time with opposing counsel and any unrepresented parties. If a scheduling conflict exists, the unavailable attorney or party must promptly provide a specific explanation. Calendar conflicts involving appearances in other courts must be addressed in accordance with Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.550, including the required written notice and resolution procedures.

Motions/Orders for Release of Uncharged Defendants: Motions seeking release of uncharged defendants must be filed with the Clerk of Court. A copy of the filed motion must also be emailed to the Court and the assigned assistant state attorney.

The State must respond within the following timeframes:

• Motions received before 12:00 p.m.: The State must respond by 4:30 p.m. the same business day.
• Motions received at or after 12:00 p.m.: The State must respond by 12:00 p.m. the following business day.

The State’s response must indicate whether it intends to file an Information, file a Notice of Case Action, or has no objection to an order releasing the defendant on recognizance (ROR). The response must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant, copied to opposing counsel.

If the Judicial Assistant does not receive the State's response by the applicable deadline, the matter will be scheduled for hearing at the next available opportunity, but no later than the next regularly scheduled bond hearing.

All requests for release remain subject to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.134 and the Court’s determination.

Witness and Exhibit Lists

In addition to the continuing discovery obligations imposed by Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.220(j), both the State and Defense shall file and serve a Notice of Witnesses and Exhibits identifying the witnesses and exhibits they intend to present at least three (3) business days before any scheduled evidentiary hearing and five (5) business days before trial. The Notice shall confirm compliance with the parties' respective discovery obligations under Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.220(b) and (d), as applicable. These deadlines may be modified by the Court for good cause. Filing the Notice does not relieve either party of its continuing discovery obligations, constitute a determination of admissibility, or preclude timely objections at the hearing or trial.

Failure to comply with discovery obligations will not automatically result in a continuance of the hearing or trial. Upon finding a discovery violation, and following any required Richardson inquiry, the Court may impose appropriate sanctions on the offending party, including exclusion of undisclosed witnesses or evidence, as permitted by Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.220(n) and applicable law.

Preparation and Submission of Exhibits

Unless otherwise authorized by the Court, documentary exhibits shall be provided to the Clerk in paper form, consistent with the Clerk's requirements. Counsel intending to offer audio recordings, video recordings, digital media, or other electronic exhibits shall make appropriate arrangements with the Clerk and Court Administration in advance of the proceeding. All exhibits intended to be offered into evidence shall be pre-marked. For jury trials, all original exhibits intended for admission shall be provided to the Clerk before commencement of jury selection. Counsel shall also provide opposing counsel and the Court with courtesy copies of proposed exhibits in an appropriate format, unless otherwise directed by the Court.

Exhibits in a Different Form or Format

If a party intends to introduce an exhibit in a form or format different from that previously provided in discovery, an exact copy of the exhibit in the form intended for presentation shall be provided to opposing counsel at least five (5) business days before the evidentiary hearing or trial, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Counsel shall identify where the information contained in the reformatted exhibit may be found in the previously provided discovery. This requirement does not authorize the introduction of otherwise inadmissible evidence or relieve either party of its discovery obligations.

Pre-Marking Exhibits

The State shall identify its exhibits numerically. The Defense shall identify its exhibits alphabetically.

Redaction of Exhibits

Any party seeking redaction of an exhibit, including recordings, cell phone records, text messages, emails, transcripts, or other documentary or electronic evidence, shall first confer with opposing counsel regarding the proposed redactions at least fifteen (15) business days before the evidentiary hearing or trial. When a hearing is scheduled on less than fifteen (15) business days' notice, counsel shall confer regarding necessary redactions as promptly as practicable.

If the parties cannot agree, the requesting party shall file an appropriate motion identifying the disputed redactions and obtain a hearing sufficiently in advance to permit resolution of the dispute no later than five (5) business days before the scheduled evidentiary hearing or trial. These deadlines may be modified by the Court for good cause, including expedited proceedings or evidence that could not reasonably have been identified earlier. Nothing in this section authorizes disclosure of privileged or otherwise protected information or alters any redaction required by law.

Criminal Case Management Conferences

Pursuant to Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.545(b), and consistent with Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.220(o), the Court conducts Case Management Conferences (CMCs) to promote the fair, efficient, and timely disposition of criminal cases. CMCs begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays. Counsel should consult the Court’s monthly calendar for scheduling exceptions, including judicial conferences and judicial leave.

Attendance and Waiver of Appearance

Attorneys and defendants are expected to appear in person. Defendants shall appear in person unless their appearance has been waived in accordance with Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.180(a)(3) and 3.220(o)(1), or they have otherwise been excused by the Court. The Court may require a defendant's personal appearance notwithstanding a previously filed waiver when legally justified and upon appropriate notice. A waiver of appearance for a pretrial conference does not excuse the defendant from any proceeding at which personal attendance is otherwise required by law or Court order.

Cases will be called from a sign-in sheet maintained by the bailiffs. Attorneys shall sign in only when fully prepared to address their cases. Once called, an attorney may address all assigned cases consecutively, provided the attorney remains prepared to proceed on each case.

The Court considers CMCs to be significant, meaningful, and substantive proceedings. The State is expected to have provided its Discovery Exhibit, when required under Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.220, together with a current Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet and any plea offer the State elects to extend, at least five (5) business days before the CMC to afford defense counsel a meaningful opportunity to review the information and confer with the defendant.

Counsel shall appear prepared to address the status of discovery, outstanding depositions, anticipated motions, discovery deadlines and cutoff dates, deadlines for filing and hearing pretrial motions, plea negotiations, trial readiness, interpreters and any other matters necessary to ensure the orderly progression of the case. The Court may establish appropriate deadlines, schedule motion hearings, and set trial dates.

Defendants may enter pleas at CMCs, subject to the requirements of Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.170 through 3.172 and applicable law.

The Judicial Assistant has no authority to grant a continuance of a CMC. The Court expects CMCs to proceed as scheduled and is not inclined to grant continuances absent a showing of good cause. A Stipulation for Continuance of Case Management Conference and Proposed Order are available under Judge Moreland’s Division Documents and Preferred Forms.

Stipulated requests for continuance shall be signed by the Assistant State Attorney, Defense Attorney, and Defendant and submitted to the Court at least three (3) business days before the scheduled CMC. By signing, the parties certify the accuracy of the grounds asserted and acknowledge that the Court may review the court file to determine whether good cause has been established. Untimely or incomplete submissions may be denied without hearing. If, after conferral, a stipulation cannot be obtained, a party seeking continuance must file an appropriate motion stating the specific grounds for relief.

The Judicial Assistant will notify counsel of the Court’s ruling. Unless and until the Court enters an order granting a continuance, the CMC remains scheduled, and all required appearances must occur.

Pretrial Motions and Filing Deadlines

Pretrial motions, including motions to dismiss, motions asserting immunity under section 776.032, Florida Statutes, and motions to suppress evidence or statements, shall be filed within the deadlines established by the Court, subject to Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.190 and applicable law.

Untimely motions will be addressed in accordance with Rule 3.190 and applicable law, including the applicable exceptions for good cause, fundamental grounds, or lack of objection by the State. Counsel are responsible for timely filing and scheduling pretrial motions for hearing sufficiently in advance of trial to permit their resolution without disrupting the trial schedule. The filing of a motion does not automatically continue or otherwise alter a scheduled trial date.

Stipulations for Trial

If the parties stipulate a trial date, they shall use the appropriate Stipulation for Trial available under Judge Moreland’s Division Documents & Preferred Forms (link). Each Stipulation for Trial corresponds to a specific trial period and establishes applicable pretrial deadlines.

All Stipulations for Trial must be fully completed, signed by the Assistant State Attorney, Defense Attorney, and Defendant, and submitted to the Court at least three (3) business days before the scheduled CMC. Incomplete, untimely, or unsigned stipulations may be denied without further notice. Unless and until the Court approves the stipulation and enters an order excusing attendance, all required appearances at the scheduled CMC remain in effect.

Docket Sounding

Docket Sounding is held two weeks before the scheduled trial period. Defendants are required to appear in person unless their appearance has been properly waived pursuant to Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.180(a)(3) and 3.220(o)(1), or otherwise excused by the Court.

Cases will be called from a sign-in sheet maintained by the bailiffs. Attorneys shall sign in only when fully prepared to address their cases. Once called, an attorney may address all assigned cases consecutively, provided the attorney remains prepared to proceed on each case.

No motions, whether oral or written, will be heard at Docket Sounding, including motions to continue. The purpose of docket sounding is to enter a plea or announce readiness for trial. Counsel must ensure that all pretrial motions are timely filed, scheduled, and resolved in advance of Docket Sounding, absent leave of Court.

For cases proceeding to trial, counsel shall be prepared to advise the Court of the anticipated number of trial days, including jury selection; any applicable speedy-trial issues; outstanding matters that may affect trial readiness; and any known scheduling conflicts.

Negotiated Plea Deadlines

Pursuant to the Court's case-management authority under Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.545(b), and subject to Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.171 and 3.172, the negotiated-plea cutoff for all cases scheduled for trial in Division III is Friday of Docket Sounding week, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

After the cutoff, the Court will ordinarily consider only open pleas. Sentencing on an open plea may be scheduled for a separate hearing, and a presentence investigation report may be required when appropriate or mandated by law.

The Court may consider a negotiated plea after the cutoff upon a showing of good cause, including a material amendment to the charges or other significant change in circumstance. All negotiated pleas remain subject to Court approval.

A fully completed and accurate Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet shall be provided to defense counsel for review and presented to Judge Moreland for review and signature before any negotiated plea is accepted or sentence imposed.

Trial Scheduling

Trial periods generally span two consecutive weeks and involve at least two judges. Although a trial order will be published, counsel must be prepared to commence trial at 8:30 a.m. on the first day of the trial period and remain available throughout the entire two-week period unless otherwise directed by Judge Moreland. Date-certain trial settings are unlikely, and counsel should anticipate that the trial order may change as cases resolve or other scheduling circumstances arise.

Defense counsel is responsible for confirming that transportation arrangements for incarcerated defendants have been made and that appropriate trial clothing has been delivered to the Port Manatee facility in advance of trial. Judicial Security will not accept trial clothing or dress defendants at the Judicial Center.

As a courtesy to summoned jurors and to avoid delaying jury selection, the Court will not ordinarily hear motions or accept pleas in cases not scheduled for trial during the Monday trial docket, absent leave of Court.

Proposed Jury Instructions

Counsel shall confer regarding proposed jury instructions before trial. One consolidated set of proposed jury instructions, including any requested special instructions, shall be submitted in editable Microsoft Word format via email to the Judicial Assistant, with opposing counsel copied, no later than 9:00 a.m. on the first day of trial unless otherwise authorized by the Court. Any disputed instructions shall be clearly identified, along with the proposing party's requested language. All proposed special instructions shall include appropriate citations to the Florida Standard Jury Instructions or other applicable legal authority.

1. Access Judge Moreland’s preferred forms for Felony Division III

Court Interpreters

Pursuant to Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.560, qualified court interpreters will be provided for criminal proceedings when required by law. Counsel are responsible for timely requesting and scheduling interpreter services through the Court Interpreters Office. Each court proceeding requires a separate interpreter request.

Due to the limited availability of staff and contract interpreters, requests must be submitted at least five (5) business days before the scheduled proceeding. Requests made with less notice may not be accommodated. Counsel should request interpreter services immediately upon scheduling a proceeding. See the Court Interpreters page.

Defendants Requiring Non-Spanish Language Interpreters

For proceedings requiring an interpreter in a language other than Spanish, the Court requests that pleas be scheduled on the assigned Assistant State Attorney’s designated day whenever possible.

Qualified interpreters for less commonly spoken languages may require additional scheduling time and may be available only through remote audio-video technology. Counsel shall make interpreter requests as early as possible, and no later than five (5) business days before the proceeding. See the Court Interpreters page.

Interpreter Costs and Cancellations

The Court bears the cost of court-appointed interpreter services for qualifying court proceedings. Interpreter costs vary depending on the language, provider, and whether services are provided in person or remotely. Contract and agency interpreters may impose cancellation fees, including charges for cancellations made less than forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled proceeding.

Counsel shall promptly notify the Court Interpreters Office whenever a proceeding requiring an interpreter is cancelled, continued, or otherwise resolved.

Late cancellations and failures to provide timely notice may result in unnecessary expenses to the State Courts System. Repeated or unjustified failures to comply with these requirements may be brought to the Court’s attention for consideration of appropriate action, including sanctions where authorized by law and following any required notice and opportunity to be heard.

Preparation for Proceedings

Counsel shall confer with their clients sufficiently in advance of the scheduled proceeding to ensure they are prepared to proceed. For plea hearings, all necessary plea documents should be reviewed with the defendant, with appropriate language assistance, and completed and signed before the hearing whenever practicable.

Counsel should not assume that the court-appointed interpreter will be available before proceedings to facilitate attorney-client conferences or the completion of plea documents. Arrangements for any necessary interpretation or translation outside the courtroom should be made in advance.

Due to the limited availability of in-person interpreters, particularly for less commonly spoken languages, the Court may authorize interpreters to appear remotely when permitted by law.

Inmate Transport

Defense counsel or the scheduling attorney is responsible for notifying Judicial Security if a Defendant or an in-custody witness needs to be transported from the jail to a court proceeding and for cancelling the request if the hearing or trial is cancelled.

Please review the Judicial Security Section’s Inmate Transport Requests page, which clarifies who is responsible for requesting inmates from the Manatee County Central Jail for court appearances.

Motions to Continue

Pursuant to Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.545(e) and Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.190(f), the Court maintains a firm continuance policy. Oral motions for continuance are not permitted except as authorized by law or upon a showing of good cause. Once a trial date has been stipulated to or established by the Court, continuances are strongly disfavored and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.

Except for stipulated requests to continue Case Management Conferences submitted in accordance with Section H, an agreement between the parties does not eliminate the requirement to file a motion establishing good cause. The Court retains sole authority to grant or deny continuances regardless of the parties’ agreement. All motions for continuance shall be in writing, except as otherwise authorized by law, and shall be signed by counsel. Except for good cause shown, the motion shall also be signed by the party requesting, including the defendant when filed by the Defense.

Each motion must include:

• The specific grounds for the requested continuance, including when those grounds became known;
• A Certificate of Good Faith pursuant to Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.190(f)(4);
• Whether the Defendant is in local custody, Department of Corrections custody, or not incarcerated;
• The date the Information or Indictment was filed and the pending charges;
• The number of previous continuances, the party requesting each continuance, and the reasons previously asserted;
• The status of speedy-trial rights, including any prior waiver or extension;
• The specific efforts undertaken to advance the case, complete discovery, and resolve outstanding matters;
• The additional time requested and the specific actions necessary to ensure readiness by the proposed date; and
• Whether the motion is opposed or agreed upon by the parties.

Motions for continuance must be filed promptly upon learning of the grounds supporting the request and scheduled for hearing through JACS. If no hearing time is available before the scheduled proceeding, counsel shall promptly contact the Judicial Assistant for scheduling instructions. Failure to timely secure a hearing may result in the motion not being considered before the scheduled proceeding, absent good cause. Filing a motion does not automatically continue any scheduled hearing or trial.