Hon. Mary M. Handsel — Judicial Procedures
Circuit 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
UMC / Motion Calendar
Absent good cause, pretrial motions must be filed at least two days before trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent good cause, motions filed on the day of trial will not be considered timely and may be denied.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A hearing on a motion to suppress will not be scheduled unless a written motion has been filed and copies provided to the Court and the State.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Motions in limine must be filed pursuant to the Court’s Pretrial Order; if there is no Pretrial Order, they must be filed no later than two days before trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Attorneys must provide the Court with a courtesy copy of any motion filed through the E-Portal; copies may be provided by fax, email, or in open court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
When motions in limine are filed, a copy must be emailed to opposing counsel and the Judicial Assistant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Attorneys seeking to appear by Zoom or have witnesses appear by Zoom must contact the Court at least two days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom appearances are allowed only on a limited basis and for specific reasons.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Requests to appear by telephone must be made before the hearing and require Court approval.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Counsel must confer and make a good-faith effort to resolve discovery matters without a hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If a discovery hearing is necessary, it should be scheduled in open court with opposing counsel present or through the Judicial Assistant with opposing counsel’s prior agreement.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Ore tenus motions may be considered when appropriate with opposing counsel’s consent.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Motions to continue a motion hearing or trial must be made as soon as practicable after counsel becomes aware of the need for a continuance.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent good cause, a written motion to continue a trial must be filed at least one week before trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A motion to continue a trial will be heard as soon as practicable.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Attorneys not assigned to the division may sign up in court before the court session begins; emailed sign-up requests are not accepted.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
An attorney who is absent when the case is called will have the court proceed down the sign-in list and call the case when the attorney returns.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Attorneys assigned to the division should be prepared to discuss their cases at the beginning of the court session.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A defendant’s presence may be waived only with prior court approval.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Requests for defendant-presence waivers should be made through the Court’s Judicial Assistant at least two days before the hearing, unless there is an emergency.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The defendant must be present if required by the Court, regardless of a previous waiver.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The defendant’s presence should not be waived if counsel has not had an opportunity to discuss the case with the defendant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The defendant’s presence may not be waived if speedy trial has not or will not be waived and the case will be set for trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Plea offers should be placed on the record.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Continuances must go through the Court’s Judicial Assistant, even when agreed to by both parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The State cannot stipulate to a continuance.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The Court will not discuss case matters other than scheduling unless counsel for both the State and Defendant are present.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent prior Court approval and good cause, the defendant must be present for all motion hearings.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A change-of-plea hearing should be set only after counsel has spoken with the client and has a good-faith basis to believe the defendant wishes to change the plea.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Pauline Clark
Phone
(727)847-8922Official 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
