Hon. Joseph Justice — Judicial Procedures
County Civil
Quick operational summary based on publicly available court procedure materials. Always verify with the official court source before relying on this information.
Quick Rules
Zoom Hearings
Remote criminal participants must remain on camera, observe courtroom attire and decorum, and bear responsibility for technology failures.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Counsel of record may appear by telephone for civil hearings scheduled for less than 15 minutes; longer hearings require a motion and proposed order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The Court conducts civil Zoom hearings only under special circumstances when no other alternative is practicable.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Criminal proposed orders should be submitted through JAWS in PDF format; paper orders require return envelopes if a copy is requested.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Substantive criminal motions must be filed with the Clerk and appear on the docket before a hearing is set.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Certain non-substantive criminal motions may be submitted directly to the Court; specified discovery-compel motions may be granted ex parte with a motion and proposed order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Criminal special-set hearings, add-ons, and other matters must be scheduled by calling the Judicial Assistant; online calendars and email scheduling are not used.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Counsel must inform the Court before a hearing if an interpreter is needed.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Civil hearings may be scheduled only for motions already filed and appearing on the Clerk’s docket; hearings involving opposing counsel must be coordinated, subject to the stated exception.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cross-noticing civil hearings requires prior court approval.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Before requesting a civil trial date, parties must submit an agreed mandatory civil case management order; mediation may be required before a jury trial is set.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
Emails to the Judge are not permitted and do not constitute motions; requests for judicial action must be made by filing a motion.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A represented party must contact counsel to request court action, including an emergency motion to continue.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Discovery or deposition disputes require a hearing, except when a motion to compel is based solely on a missed response deadline reflected on the Clerk’s docket.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Criminal continuances by stipulation are permitted before discovery is received or before the first pretrial conference; later requests require a motion and proposed order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A criminal continuance motion should state whether the State Attorney’s Office objects, and any continuance motion must waive speedy trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Criminal defendants must personally attend at least one pretrial conference; certain appearances cannot be waived without court permission.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
An attorney may seek withdrawal or substitution without a hearing only if there is no pending trial and client consent is filed with the motion and proposed order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Civil pretrial motions must be filed before Calendar Call; motions in limine are addressed on the day of trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Evidence for civil jury and non-jury trials should be exchanged at least five days before trial and pre-marked.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Parties filing with the Clerk or providing the Judge a copy must simultaneously send a copy to all attorneys or parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Motions that must legally be served on the Judge must be delivered to the Judicial Assistant or mailed to the Judge’s office; mailed documents require a receipt-confirmation call.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Ellen Dacey
Phone
(727)847-8184Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
August 9, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Pasco County judges
- Hon. Alicia PolkCircuit Civil
- Hon. Anne WansboroCounty Civil
- Hon. Daniel D. DiskeyCircuit Civil
- Hon. Dustin AndersonCircuit Civil
- Hon. Frank GreyCounty Civil
- Hon. Gregory G. GrogerCircuit Civil
