Hon. John McGowan — Judicial Procedures
Collier County Criminal Probate
Quick operational summary based on publicly available court procedure materials. Always verify with the official court source before relying on this information.
Quick Rules
UMC / Motion Calendar
Schedule criminal motions and pleas requiring 20 minutes or less through JACS.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Schedule each hearing of 20 minutes or less per case on one JACS calendar date through JACS; do not schedule back-to-back hearings to create a longer block.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
File motions with the Clerk before scheduling a JACS hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not make changes, additions, swaps, or other alterations to the motion calendar except cancellations.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not request a plea setting until the State provides an accurate sentencing-guidelines scoresheet and the defendant and defense counsel indicate acceptance of the offered plea agreement.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
For substantive motions relying on case authorities, provide the Court and opposing counsel the cases, transmittal letter, and courtesy motion copy at least two business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For correspondence containing a proposed order, attach a stipulation or other signed writing from opposing counsel or the party showing agreement or no objection; otherwise use the general motion-scheduling procedure.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Witnesses generally may not appear by telephone without party stipulation and advance notice to the Court; a notary must be present with the witness or the parties may stipulate that the clerk administer the oath.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Attorneys must appear in person for hearings.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Submit orders through the E-portal under “PROPOSED DOCUMENTS” unless the Court directs otherwise.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not submit a proposed order asking the Court to hold it for a specified period pending an objection.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
All submissions to the Court must include a cover letter and applicable motion or pleading copies; the cover letter must state the reason and indicate that the materials were furnished to the opposing party.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
At a continuance hearing, submit a proposed order with blank lines for new pretrial and trial dates, sufficient copies, and self-addressed stamped envelopes.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Include the specified Clerk-reset instruction and extra copies for all parties and the Court Team Leader when submitting a continuance order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Coordinate criminal motions requiring 30 minutes or more with opposing counsel and set them by email with the Judicial Assistant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For special-set hearings, provide the case number, case name, motions to be heard, and requested time for both sides.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Include the estimated time for both sides to present evidence and argue the motion in the Notice of Hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
Submit emergency hearing matters in writing to chambers with a filed motion attached, stating service on opposing counsel and the requested hearing time.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Complete all discovery and depositions before the pretrial conference; a continuance for lack of time requires a motion filed and set on a regular motion calendar before the pretrial conference.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
The attorney or party who set a motion hearing must submit a cancellation request, and all parties must agree to it.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For a cancellation request made seven days or less before the hearing, obtain Court approval through a signed written request on attorney letterhead stating that all parties were copied, agree, and the issues are completely resolved.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Crystal
JA Email
cjohnson@ca.cjis20.orgPhone
(239) 252-8395Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Collier County judges
- Hon. Amanda Levy-ReisCollier County Unified Family Court/Domestic Relations Civil Domestic, Repeat, Dating Violence, Stalking & Sexual Violence Cases (Rule 2.545 Fla. R. Jud. Admin.) Probate
- Hon. Blake AdamsCollier County Misdemeanors, Ordinances, Criminal Traffic and Civil Traffic Infractions
- Hon. Christopher BrownCollier County Unified Family Court/Domestic Relations Civil Domestic, Repeat, Dating Violence, Stalking & Sexual Violence Cases (Rule 2.545 Fla. R. Jud. Admin.) Probate
- Hon. Deborah CunninghamCollier County Misdemeanors, Ordinances, Criminal Traffic and Civil Traffic Infractions Mental Health Court Veterans Court
- Hon. Elizabeth V. KrierCollier County Unified Family Court/Juvenile Dependency Juvenile Delinquency Truancy Court Crossover and Related Cases in Domestic Relations, Juvenile Delinquency, and Civil Domestic, Repeat, Dating Violence, Stalking & Sexual Violence As indicated under Rule 12.003 Fla. Fam. L.R.P. Guardianship
- Hon. James F. StewartCollier County General Civil (Including Foreclosure)
