Hon. Heather Pinder Rodriguez — Judicial Procedures
Juvenile Division
Quick operational summary based on publicly available court procedure materials. Always verify with the official court source before relying on this information.
Quick Rules
Courtesy Copies
File motions with the Clerk and ensure they are viewable before requesting hearing time.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Request available hearing time by emailing the Judicial Assistant a courtesy copy of the motion, including the case number, case name, and requested hearing duration.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Include all counsel and self-represented litigants when emailing the Judicial Assistant to schedule a hearing; hearings cannot be scheduled by telephone.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
To have a witness or party appear virtually, file a motion, obtain a good-cause finding, and obtain a court order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Attorneys are expected to appear live at the courthouse.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The moving party must notice court-approved virtual appearances through the Court’s division WEBEX link.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If the adoptive family is not local, arrange a virtual adoption hearing through the Judicial Assistant using the Court’s division WEBEX link.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Orders must include a complete title, whether the motion is granted or denied, the motion’s filing date, and the hearing date if a hearing occurred; state when the order is unopposed.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit stipulated or agreed orders for evidentiary hearings, trials, or out-of-court matters to chambers by email.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Clearly identify proposed orders and judgments that are not agreed upon; separate proposed orders or judgments may be submitted when there are significant differences.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit emailed orders in Word format rather than PDF format.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit orders for advisory, arraignment, and judicial review hearings to the division email.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Permanent guardianship orders require a short hearing rather than being signed in chambers.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Shelter hearings are held live at the Juvenile Justice Center.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Each parent or prospective parent appearing for shelter must complete an Affidavit of Indigency and Address Form for attorney determinations.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Be prepared at pretrial to state whether the trial requires a two-hour, three-hour, five-hour, or multi-day period.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Schedule adoption hearings at least fourteen days in advance, with all preliminary orders in the court file and the appeal period lapsed.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
When a case is noticed for trial at pretrial, the file must be complete, discovery must be complete, compliant witness and exhibit lists must be filed, and witness availability must be verified.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Do not notice a hearing until the Judicial Assistant confirms the hearing time by email; hearing time is not held pending confirmation.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A cancellation must include a Notice of Cancellation, and only the party that scheduled the hearing may cancel it.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
When resetting a hearing, the new notice must cancel the old hearing time so it is deleted from the Odyssey system.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Advise the Court as soon as settlement is confirmed by emailing the Judicial Assistant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
For hearings scheduled through the Judicial Assistant, notices must identify the exact title and filing date of the motion and the time reserved for the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Diana Rico
JA Email
7orange@ninthcircuit.orgPhone
407.836.9519Courtroom
6
Zoom
Join MeetingOfficial Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Orange County judges
- Hon. A. James CranerCircuit Criminal
- Hon. Adam McGinnisCounty Civil
- Hon. Alicia L. LatimoreJuvenile Division
- Hon. Alicia Peyton RobinsonDomestic Relations
- Hon. Amanda S. BovaCounty Criminal
- Hon. Amy J. CarterCounty Civil
