When a petitioner does not appear by the commencement of a scheduled hearing and the petitioner has not previously submitted a good cause request, the special magistrate will not commence or proceed with the hearing and will produce a recommended decision denying the petition. The recommendation will include a finding of fact that the petitioner …
A petitioner may request in writing to have a telephonic hearing. The request must be received by the VAB Clerk at least ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing date. By requesting a telephonic hearing, the petitioner agrees that all parties and witnesses shall be available at the scheduled hearing time, and all parties shall …
No. Petitioners may indicate on the petition or submit a written statement at least five (5) days prior to the hearing that the petitioner does not wish to be present at the hearing, but would like their evidence to be considered in their absence. The petitioner would then be excused from attending the hearing and …
No, petitioners may represent themselves in VAB proceedings. However, many petitioners do hire an attorney or other professional representation. If a petitioner wants someone other than a licensed professional to act as their agent in VAB proceedings, that person must sign the petition or the petitioner must provide written authorization for that person. Please see …
Each party may reschedule the hearing a single time for good cause, which means, “circumstances beyond the control of the person seeking to reschedule the hearing which reasonably prevent the party from having adequate representation at the hearing.” Reschedule requests must be submitted in writing to the VAB Clerk and include the party’s name and …
Once a petition has been scheduled for a hearing before a special magistrate, the petitioner will receive a Notice of Hearing form indicating the date, time, and location of the hearing. The Notice of Hearing will be mailed no later than 25 calendar days before the hearing date. All VAB hearings will be held in …
A petitioner may withdraw a petition at any time before a final decision has been rendered by completing form DR-485WI/Withdrawal of Petition and submitting it to the VAB Clerk by mail, fax, or email (see How do I contact VAB Clerk?). The form may be accessed on the Lake County Clerk of Courts website and the Florida Department of …
Petitions received after the filing deadline has passed will be submitted to the attorney special magistrate for a good cause determination. Petitioners must include a statement of the reasons the petition was filed late and provide copies of all documentation supporting their statement. An attorney special magistrate will consider all late-filed petitions and make a …
Once the VAB Clerk accepts a completed petition, the VAB Clerk will give the petitioner a receipt indicating the assigned file number. This file number will identify the petition throughout the VAB process. Please include the file number in all communications regarding the petition with the VAB Clerk to ensure accurate identification. The petitioner will …
If an incomplete petition is received, the VAB Clerk will send a notice to the petitioner. The petitioner has 10 calendar days from the date the notification is sent to submit a complete petition. Incomplete petitions will not be scheduled for a hearing until all issues have been resolved. Incomplete petitions not resolved within 10 …