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12 verbatim requirements from Trial Conduct and Courtroom Decorum Policy.
Fourth Judicial Circuit (Duval, Clay, Nassau). Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from https://www.jud4.org/getContentAsset/4c89ee0a-7e38-462c-8df3-c44b3f437c30/135b97c9-84fa-4e82-b956-0fbccec4aa1f/Trial-Conduct-and-Courtroom-Decorum-Policy.pdf?language=en, harvested 2026-07-25; whitespace normalised only. • Counsel shall admonish all persons at counsel table that gestures, facial expressions, audible comments, or the like, as manifestations of approval or disapproval during the testimony of witnesses or at any other time, absolutely are prohibited. • When making opening statements, closing arguments or examining witnesses, do not approach either the jury or the witness without the Court’s permission. • Only one attorney for each party shall examine, or cross examine each witness. • The attorney stating objections, if any, during direct examination, shall be the attorney recognized for cross examination. • No exhibit, whether marked for identification or not, shall be held in any manner, or placed in any position in the courtroom, that would allow the trier of fact to see the exhibit unless it has been admitted into evidence and permission to publish the exhibit to the jury has been obtained from the Court. • When examining a witness, counsel shall not repeat or echo the answer given by the witness. • In opening statements and in arguments to the trier of fact, counsel shall not express personal knowledge or opinions concerning any matter in issue. • Counsel shall refrain from attempting to make a re-argument after the Judge has ruled. • Counsel shall complete resolution negotiations and advise clients of their settlement options in advance of court hearings. -- 3 of 4 -- 4 1/6/2020 • All counsel shall provide a copy of this policy to clients prior to coming to court. • Following the discharge of the alternate juror(s) or dismissal of the jury following a verdict, mistrial or other disposition of the case, counsel shall not be permitted to initiate contact with or initiate communication with such juror(s) or cause another to initiate contact or communication with any such juror(s) regarding the trial, including but not limited to personally and individually thanking such juror(s) for their service and/or their verdict as they exit the courtroom. • Any lawyer seeking to communicate with or cause another to communicate with or interview any juror(s) to determine whether the verdict may be subject to legal challenge shall comply with the procedures detailed in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.431(h) and Rule 4-
Counsel shall admonish all persons at counsel table that gestures, facial expressions, audible comments, or the like, as manifestations of approval or disapproval during the testimony of witnesses or at any other time, absolutely are prohibited.
Reviewer note: Document sha256: 967b249c99b12b4451591c03db7155cb6b3874fe2ca3a301fdc820700ba07830. Extracted from the document's own text layer.
Judge Bell caps motions and responses at 5 pages for UMC hearings and 12 pages for special-set hearings.
Judge Alijewicz requires every motion for attorney's fees and/or costs to attach a document detailing time records — no records, no fee award.
Judge Corlew bars informal contact: every communication with the Court must be in writing, filed with the Clerk, with copies furnished to all parties — and no calls to the JA to schedule or cancel UMC.