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30 verbatim requirements from the procedure documents published under "Judge Steven B. Whittington".
Fourth Judicial Circuit, Clay County. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from the documents linked under "Judge Steven B. Whittington" on https://www.jud4.org/ex-parte-dates-judge-s-procedures/clay-judges, harvested 2026-07-25; whitespace normalised only. • All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to durhaml@clayclerk.com. • The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2026 • 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 all 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. • Unsolicited Communications: • All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. • Defendants and other interested parties must contact the attorney of record with any questions, concerns or court attendance issues. • All correspondence and case related material must be relayed through the attorney. • All hearings must be coordinated with opposing counsel or party if unrepresented. • The Court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days before the hearing. • Order of Proceedings: • A request for continuance must be submitted at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled court date. • 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 • Cancellation of a hearing MUST be confirmed with and by the Judicial Assistant. • Criminal Scheduling: • Change requests should be submitted no later than Thursday mornings as the Clerk prints calendars on Thursdays and Fridays. • Counsel must appear at arraignment and the State must be prepared to advise the Court of the State’s offer, sentencing guidelines, speedy trial and status of discovery. • Final Pretrial Conference: • Defendant’s appearance is required at final -- 3 of 6 -- 4 pretrial conference along with the attorney who will try the case. • Technology Needs: • All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format through the e-portal. • All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order. • All consent Orders shall include the word “Consent” or “Agreed” in the caption of the proposed Order. • Consent/Agreed proposed orders must be submitted to the Court via e- portal. • Proposed orders must be submitted within ten (10) days after any hearing unless otherwise directed by Court. • Other Procedures Relating to Submission of Orders and Judgments: • Courtesy copies shall be submitted via electronic submission. • If voluminous, parties must place courtesy copies on a flash drive and deliver to the Court with permission for the Court to destroy because these copies have been filed with the Clerk. • Deadline for Submissions: • If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: • All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances. • Other Procedures Relating to Emergency and Other Urgent Matters: • There must be no ex parte communication concerning emergency motions/petitions. • Exhibits must be submitted to the Clerk of the Court in paper format. • All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the Court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial. • Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.’ • Deadline for Submissions: • All exhibits must be received in chambers three (3) days before the evidentiary proceeding. • Accommodation Request Form - Duval and Clay to access the form, that must be submitted to the ADA Coordinator at (904) 255-1695 (or 711
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to durhaml@clayclerk.com.
Reviewer note: Page sha256: 2a4d274fd16955060e38f246d86bfb10bcf96384a2f0d91ea4b3197b7287f06a. Requirements taken from the judge's own procedure documents' text layers.
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.