Hon. Dawn D. Nichols — Judicial Procedures
Circuit Court
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
The criminal calendar includes recurring schedules for arraignments, bond hearings, pretrial conferences, docket soundings, trials, and violation hearings.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Request hearings by email to the Judicial Assistant and include the case number, case name, relevant matter, and docket number in the subject line.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The party scheduling a hearing must immediately file and serve the notice after reserving hearing time, including the listed hearing details.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Continuances are disfavored and require a showing of good cause.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is legally authorized.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy copies of case law may be submitted for any evidentiary proceeding; electronic submissions should preferably be PDF/A or Word, and email, mail, or hand delivery is acceptable.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote appearances use Zoom, and participants must mute their devices and wait to speak until their case is called.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Participants using Zoom should keep their device muted and not speak until their case is called.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Submit proposed orders in Word or PDF format through the e-portal unless otherwise instructed by the Judge.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit proposed orders within the number of days directed by Judge Nichols.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Submit trial exhibits to the Clerk’s Office no later than three business days before the hearing or trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The Court schedules cases for trial at the pretrial conference.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After docket sounding, attorneys, parties, and witnesses must be available during the entire trial period assigned to the case.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Extraditions require at least 10 days to transport an incarcerated person from other facilities or jurisdictions.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues, reasons for emergency treatment, and time needed for each party's presentation.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
A party requesting a status conference must state why the conference is necessary.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Cancel hearings by notifying the Judicial Assistant immediately and immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Court-noticed hearings may be cancelled only by the Court; party-noticed hearings may be cancelled by the Court, scheduling party, or agreement of all involved parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Submit communications to the judicial office by email to the Judicial Assistant, with specified case information in the subject line.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered, and parties may contact the judicial office only under these procedures.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Defense counsel must arrange interpreter services needed for all court proceedings.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Michele Westfall
Phone
(386) 313-4510Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Flagler County judges
- Hon. Andrea K. TottenCounty Court
- Hon. Christopher A. FranceCircuit Court
- Hon. D. Melissa DistlerCounty Criminal
- Hon. Sandra C. UpchurchCircuit Court
