All local rules for M.D. Fla., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
(b) LENGTH AND CONTENT OF A MOTION, A BRIEF, OR AN OBJECTION. A motion must include — in a single document no longer than twenty-five pages — a concise statement of the precise relief requested, a statement of the basis for the request, and a legal memorandum supporting the request. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(b) ↗
(c) LENGTH AND CONTENT OF A RESPONSE. A party responding to a motion or brief may file a legal memorandum no longer than twenty pages. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(c) ↗
(e) NO REPLY AS A MATTER OF RIGHT. Except for a reply to a motion for summary judgment or a reply brief in a social security action, no party may reply without leave. A motion for leave to reply must not exceed three pages; must specify the need for, and the length of, the proposed reply; and must not include the proposed reply. No response to a motion for leave to reply is permitted. A party may reply to a response to a motion for summary judgment within fourteen days after service of the response. A reply must not exceed seven pages. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(e) ↗
(d) TIME TO RESPOND. A party may respond to a motion within fourteen days after service of the motion. However, a party may respond within twenty-one days after service to a motion to dismiss, for judgment on the pleadings, for summary judgment, to exclude or limit expert testimony, to certify a class, for a new trial, or to alter or amend the judgment. If a party fails to timely respond, the motion is subject to treatment as unopposed. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(d) ↗
Silent on motion hearing days. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01 (silent) ↗
(k) NO PROPOSED ORDER. Unless otherwise permitted by these rules, no party in a civil action may submit a proposed judgment or other order without leave. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(k) ↗
(i) ORAL ARGUMENT OR EVIDENTIARY HEARING. A party must request oral argument or an evidentiary hearing in a separate document accompanying the party’s motion or response and stating the time necessary. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(i) ↗
(b) Submission of Proposed Voir Dire Questions, Proposed Jury Instructions and Proposed Jury Verdict Forms: Counsel shall serve and file with the Clerk's Office all proposed voir dire questions, proposed jury instructions, and proposed verdict forms not later than six (6) working days before the scheduled trial date. The Court will not ask any voir dire question not previously submitted under this requirement. Counsel shall meet to agree on a single set of instructions to the jury and shall jointly file same with the Clerk's Office. If counsel cannot agree, counsel additionally shall file proposals as to any contested instructions. (g) Method of Voir Dire Examination: Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, civil juries will consist of twelve (12) jurors. As a general rule, the Court will seat twenty-five (25) jurors randomly selected from the venire panel into the jury box. The Court will then instruct the entire venire panel on the nature of the case and such other preliminary matters as may be appropriate. Then Court will conduct an initial voir dire examination of the twenty-five (25) jurors. The parties may request additional questions for the Court to inquire of the twenty-five (25) jurors, following the Court's initial voir dire examination. Following counsel's questions, the Court will determine whether additional inquiry need be made of particular jurors. Counsel will then exercise their peremptory challenges out of the hearing of the jury. (h) Audio and/or visual equipment: The court does not furnish audio and/or visual equipment for use during trials. Counsel must make their own arrangements regarding audio and/or visual equipment. If counsel plan to use equipment during trial, please notify the Courtroom Deputy ahead of time so the courtroom can be made available for installation. Also, upon completion of trial, the equipment must be removed immediately. Source ↗
(b) Submission of Proposed Voir Dire Questions, Proposed Jury Instructions and Proposed Jury Verdict Forms: Counsel shall serve and file with the Clerk’s Office all proposed voir dire questions, proposed jury instructions, and proposed verdict forms not later than six (6) working days before the scheduled trial date. The Court will not ask any voir dire question not previously submitted under this requirement. Counsel shall meet to agree on a single set of instructions to the jury and shall jointly file same with the Clerk’s Office. If counsel cannot agree, counsel additionally shall file proposals as to any contested instructions. The United States shall file a short concise (one or two page) summary of the charges(s) against the Defendant(s). The summary shall be written in simple terms and will be used by the Court to familiarize prospective jurors about the charge(s). (g) Method of Voir Dire Examination: Under Local Rule 5.01, and unless otherwise ordered by the Court, criminal juries will consist of twelve (12) jurors. As a general rule, the Court will seat fifty (50) jurors randomly selected from the venire panel into the jury box. The Court will then instruct the entire venire panel on the nature of the case and such other preliminary matters as may be appropriate. Then the Court will conduct an initial voir dire examination of the fifty (50) jurors. (i) Courtroom Attire: It is the responsibility of defense counsel to ensure the defendant has appropriate courtroom attire for all court proceedings. If the defendant is in custody, appropriate attire should be provided to the U.S. Marshal’s Office, not the jail. Source ↗
5. Although Local Rule 3.03 relieves counsel from filing any discovery material with the Court, no discovery material should be introduced or used by counsel at trial (including cross-examination) unless courtesy copies thereof are delivered directly to the judge's chambers, and notice given to opposing counsel at least SIX (6) WORKING DAYS prior to the date of trial. 6. Counsel shall submit trial briefs or memoranda, proposed voir dire questions, a proposed brief statement of the case that counsel want read to the jury, proposed jury instructions, and proposed forms of verdict no later than SIX (6) WORKING DAYS prior to the scheduled trial date. Counsel shall meet for the purpose of exchanging proposed jury instructions and submitting an agreed-to set of jury instructions. If there are requested instructions upon which they are unable to agree, the objecting counsel shall state, in writing, specific objections, citing authorities, and any alternative instruction which counsel consider more appropriate. NOTE: Two (2) courtesy copies of these materials shall be sent directly to Judge Schlesinger's chambers. Source ↗