Hon. Susan St. John — 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
Courtesy Copies
Provide the Court a courtesy copy of any motion filed by email or in open court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Request remote appearance at a pretrial conference at least one week before the scheduled conference, absent an unanticipated exigency.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Untimely requests for remote appearance at a pretrial conference will not be permitted absent good cause.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote appearances are not permitted for appearances designated as mandatory.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent prior court approval, Zoom appearances or waivers are not permitted for the first and final scheduled pretrial before trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For remote appearance at a motion hearing, file a motion in advance, obtain opposing-party consent, and expressly waive any applicable confrontation right.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Use Zoom for remote appearances.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Activate the participant’s camera when testimony is taken via Zoom.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Attorneys and self-represented parties must share Zoom login information with clients, court reporters, witnesses, and other attendees.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not make unauthorized recordings of remote hearings, including audio, video, or screen captures.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Submit proposed orders by email to the Court’s Judicial Assistant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Confer with opposing counsel and make a good-faith effort to resolve discovery matters without a hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Schedule a necessary discovery hearing in open court with opposing counsel present or with the Judicial Assistant after obtaining opposing counsel’s prior agreement.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
File all motions and pleadings with the Clerk of Court, even when submitting documents by email.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Substantive ex parte communications sent to the Court will be filed in the court file.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
File a motion before requesting a hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Substantive or evidentiary hearings will not be scheduled without a written motion filed and copies provided to the Court and the State.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Be prepared to litigate unresolved motion issues on the day of trial unless good cause is shown.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Defendants must be present at pretrial conferences unless properly waived under Rule 3.180, and must appear if required by the Court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Absent prior Court approval, defendants must be present at the first and final pretrial conferences before trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If a written plea of not guilty is filed, the appearances of defense counsel and the defendant are waived for arraignment.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
In-custody defendants represented by an attorney are not brought to court for arraignment.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
All persons appearing before the Court must wear appropriate attire; shorts and sleeveless shirts are prohibited, and hats must be removed absent prior authorization.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Jill Kiousis
Phone
(727)453-7680Courtroom
Ch. 1
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
