Hon. Robert Dittmer — 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
UMC / Motion Calendar
Absent good cause, specified pretrial and other motions must be filed at least two days before calendar call; motions filed on or after calendar call are not timely.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A suppression-motion hearing will not be scheduled until a written motion is filed and copies are provided to the Court and State.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If a motion has not been heard before calendar call, attorneys must be prepared to litigate remaining issues on calendar-call day unless good cause is shown; substantive motions generally will not be heard afterward.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Parties must discuss motions in limine before requesting hearing time; hearings for motions expected to exceed 15 minutes must be sought at least one week before trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
A courtesy copy of every motion filed through the E-Portal must be provided to the Court by fax, email, or in open court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
A request may be made to appear by Zoom for a non-evidentiary pretrial hearing scheduled for 30 minutes or less, subject to the stated rule and possible denial for good cause.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For other hearings, an attorney or defendant may appear by Zoom for good cause with prior court approval, obtained by contacting the Judicial Assistant before the hearing date.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
All Zoom participants must be appropriately dressed and behave as if present in court; future Zoom appearances may be barred for noncompliance.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Opposing counsel must confer and make a good-faith effort to resolve discovery matters before requesting a hearing; any necessary hearing must be scheduled through the stated procedures.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
A motion to continue a motion hearing must be made as soon as practicable after the need becomes known.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent good cause, a written motion to continue trial must be filed at least one week before calendar call; it 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 session begins; emailed requests will not be accepted.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A plea in absentia requires a notarized signature and fingerprints and prior State approval of all conditions.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If the parties do not have an agreed disposition, the Court must be notified before preparing a plea in absentia.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The Court will not discuss case matters other than scheduling unless counsel for both parties is 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
Attorneys should request permission before approaching the bench, witnesses, or clerk.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Penny Greul
Phone
(727)464-6095Courtroom
Ch. 20
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
