Hon. Joseph Lawhorne — 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
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is legally authorized.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Request remote appearance by motion complying with Rule 2.530, including the required reliable-internet and quiet-location certification, at least five days before the proceeding.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact the judicial assistant to obtain the Zoom meeting ID.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Appear remotely in attire and conduct appropriate for court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Submit proposed orders in PDF and/or Word format with a cover letter certifying agreement or identifying any disagreement.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit proposed orders within 10 days after the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Make all exhibits available at the time of the hearing or trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Defendants must appear in person at pretrial conferences unless their presence has been waived under the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Either party may request additional hearings.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The court generally schedules a case for trial at either party’s request and may do so without a request.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
File a detailed emergency motion identifying the issues, reasons an emergency hearing is necessary, and presentation time needed for each party.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If the court determines an emergency exists, all parties must be available for the unilaterally scheduled hearing absent exigent circumstances.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Submit continuance requests before the scheduled court date; the requesting party must sign the motion unless good cause is shown.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Immediately notify the judicial assistant and file and serve a notice of cancellation when cancelling a hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Submit all communications to the judicial office by email and include the specified case information in the subject line.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Request hearings by email.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Immediately file and serve the notice of hearing after reserving hearing time; include Zoom credentials for remote appearances and the required ADA notification.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit all hearing materials no later than three business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Sabine Matthews
Phone
(727)582-7620Courtroom
Ch. 26
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
