Hon. Diane Croff — 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
Courtesy Copies
The JA and opposing counsel must receive a courtesy copy of any motion filed through the E-Portal.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
A request may be made to appear remotely via Zoom for a non-evidentiary pretrial hearing scheduled for 30 minutes or less; the request will be granted absent good cause to deny it.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom requests must be submitted to the JA no later than noon on the Friday preceding the pretrial conference.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote appearances are not permitted for a final pretrial conference without prior court approval.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Non-evidentiary motions must be filed by noon at least two days before the pretrial conference and may be scheduled by contacting the JA and opposing counsel.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
When trial is scheduled, a final trial conference is also scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the Friday before the week of trial, subject to the stated court-closure alternative.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Motions in limine must be filed no later than two days before the trial conference.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Counsel must confer and make a good-faith effort to resolve discovery matters before requesting a hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If a discovery hearing is necessary, file a written motion and schedule it in open court with opposing counsel present or with the JA after obtaining opposing counsel’s prior agreement.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
A pretrial-conference continuance motion must state the grounds, contain a speedy-trial waiver, and have opposing counsel’s consent.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A motion to continue a motion hearing must be made as soon as practicable after counsel becomes aware of the need.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent good cause, a written motion to continue trial must be filed as soon as counsel becomes aware of the need; it will be heard as soon as practicable.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
A defendant must appear at a pretrial conference when required by the Court, regardless of a prior 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 when 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
A plea in absentia requires a notarized signature and fingerprints, with prior State approval of all conditions.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A motion will not be set for hearing until it is filed and reflected in the E-Portal.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent good cause, substantive motions must be filed and heard before the case is scheduled for trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent prior court approval and good cause, the defendant must be present for all motion hearings.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Unless waived by the Court in advance, the defendant must appear at the final trial conference.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent unforeseen circumstances, pretrial motions will not be considered after the trial conference.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Veronica Jupiter
Phone
(727)464-8740Courtroom
Ch. 21
Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
August 9, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Pinellas County judges
- Hon. Aaron HubbardCircuit Civil
- Hon. Amy M. WilliamsCircuit Civil
- Hon. Benjamin S. ThomasCircuit Civil
- Hon. Brett SzematowiczCounty Civil
- Hon. Brian GnageCircuit Civil
- Hon. Cathy McKytonCounty Civil
