Hon. James Pierce — Judicial Procedures
Family 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 a motion with the Clerk before asking the Court to review it or set a hearing; a courtesy copy may then be sent.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Motions sent to the Court without proof of filing will not be reviewed.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Trials must be in person unless the Court approves a Zoom appearance in advance; Zoom requests must be submitted in writing or in person in Court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Evidentiary hearings must be in person unless the Court approves a Zoom appearance in advance.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Upload proposed orders to JAWS for electronic signature and upload an explanatory cover letter; all documents must be PDFs.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not submit proposed orders through JAWS before a scheduled hearing unless the Judge specifically requests it.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Upload proposed orders to JAWS within five days after the hearing unless otherwise specified; all orders must be received within 30 days.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not send unsigned proposed orders to the Clerk; submit them for the Judge’s signature through JAWS or an authorized alternative method.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If there are objections to an order’s content or form, promptly submit a proposed order and explanatory letter by email in Word format.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
After filing, contact the judicial assistant by email for available hearing dates and times, and obtain several dates and times.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Confirm the agreed hearing date and time with the judicial assistant; an unanswered phone message or email is insufficient.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After securing the hearing time, the moving party must file and serve a Notice of Hearing on all parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
File and serve Notices of Hearing within a reasonable time before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not cross-notice a hearing without prior approval from the Court and all other involved parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
After filing an emergency motion through the e-portal, the Clerk submits it to the Court for emergency-status review.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Time allotted for an emergency hearing is equally split between the parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Obtain prior consent from the Court and all parties before cancelling a hearing, and file a timely Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A party may not cancel a hearing scheduled by Court order without prior written authorization from the Court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
File all motions and pleadings with the Clerk of Court; email submissions are acceptable but do not replace filing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Substantive ex parte communications will be filed with the Clerk without review.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Request disability accommodations from the Human Rights Office at least seven days before a court appearance, or immediately if received less than seven days before.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Bring evidence or exhibits for an in-person hearing to court on the hearing date; the Court will not accept them in advance.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Mark and submit evidence or exhibits for a remote hearing at least two business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
File motions for rehearing, reconsideration, or new trial with the Clerk and send a courtesy copy to the Court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
File detention-status review motions in writing at least three days before the hearing and provide notice to all parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
File competency-evaluation motions in writing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Darleta Burris
Phone
(727)464-7333Courtroom
B
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
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- Hon. Benjamin S. ThomasCircuit Civil
- Hon. Brett SzematowiczCounty Civil
- Hon. Brian GnageCircuit Civil
- Hon. Cathy McKytonCounty Civil
