How-To: Request Oral Argument
| Background: | You want to provide oral argument to support your appeal |
| Problem: | You're unsure how to request oral argument |
| Solution: | You follow this guide for drafting a request for oral argument |
I. Definitions
II. Legal Citations
(b) in proceedings commenced by the filing of a petition, not later than 15 days after the reply is due to be served; and
...
(B) the dispositive issue or issues have been authoritatively decided; or
(C) the facts and legal arguments are adequately presented in the briefs and record, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided by oral argument."
III. Samples
| # | Comments | ₧ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | TBD case. Pro Se Filing. Petition for a Writ of Mandamus. 2 Pages. |  |
| 2 | | ✓ Granted! 2011. SC. State Court Judges. Join the argument. 3 Pages. | |
| 3 | | ✓ Granted! 2012. SC. NAACP. Join the argument. 7 Pages. | |
| 4 | | ✓ Granted! 2013. SC. Join the argument. 2 Pages. | |
| 5 | | ✓ Granted! 2014. SC. Cited the Rules of the Florida Bar. 2 Pages. | |
| 6 | | - Dispensed. 2015. SC. 2 Pages. | |
| 7 | | ✓ Granted! 2016. SC. 2 Pages. | |
| 8 | | ✓ Granted! 2017. SC. Join the argument. 3 Pages. | |
| 9 | | ✓ Granted! 2018. SC. Join the argument. 3 Pages. | |
| 10 | | ✓ Granted! 2019. SC. 8 Pages. | |
| 11 | | ✓ Granted! 2020. SC. Death Sentence. Habeas Corpus. 2 Pages. | |
| 12 | | ✓ Granted! 2000. 1DCA. DOAH. 2 Pages. | |
| 13 | | ✓ Granted! 2001. 1DCA. DOAH. 2 Pages. | |
| 14 | | X Denied. 2002. 1DCA. DOAH. Mafia Hitmen. 2 Pages. | |
| 15 | | - Dispensed. 2003. 4DCA. DOAH. Statewide importance. 2 Pages. | |
| 16 | | - Deferred to panel. 2004. 1DCA. DOAH. Writ of Prohibition. 2 Pages. | |
| 17 | | ✓ Granted! 2005. 1DCA. DOAH. 3 Pages. | |
| 18 | | ϫ 2006. 3DCA. DOAH. Non-Final Order. Private Property Rights. 3 Pages. | |
| 19 | | X Denied. 2007. 5DCA. DOAH. Attached to Petition. 2 Pages. | |
| 20 | | ✓ Granted! 2008. 3DCA. DOAH. Deceased Appellant. 4 Pages | |
| 21 | | ✓ Granted! 2012. 5DCA. DOAH. 2 Pages. | |
| 22 | | ✓ Granted! 2013. 3DCA. DOAH. School Teachers. 2 Pages. | |
| 23 | | ✓ Granted! 2014. 5DCA. DOAH. 2 Pages. | |
| 24 | | ✓ Granted! 2015. 4DCA. DOAH. Manifest Injustice. Medical Malpractice. 4 Pages. | |
| 25 | | ✓ Granted! 2016. 5DCA. DOAH. Voluminous Record. 1 Page. | |
| 26 | | ✓ Granted! 2017. 5DCA. DOAH. 3 Pages. | |
| 26 | | ✓ Granted! 2018. 1DCA. DOAH. Video Conference (COVID). 3 Pages. | |
| 26 | | ✓ Granted! 2019. 1DCA. DOAH. Consolidated Cases. Video Conference (COVID). 3 Pages. | |
IV. Templates
| # | Link | Comments | ₧ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Replace all of the placeholder tags with real information (eg "[plfName]" becomes "John Doe"). |  |
V. Application
- Crucial Note: File this on time!
- In an appeal, within 15 Days of your last brief (see Rule 9.320 Fla. R. App. P.)
- In a petition, within 15 Days of the last pleading (see Rule 9.320 Fla. R. App. P.)
- Recommendation: File this request alongside your initial brief
VI. Quick Commentary
- Good News: Your request can be very plain (see the samples)
- Better News: The appellate courts almost always grant requests for oral argument of an appeal
- Bad News: The appellate courts rarely grant requests for oral argument of a petition
- Suspected Reason = oral arguments would slow things down too much
- petitions usually deal with extraordinary writs
- extraordinary writs are usually handled rapidly
- oral argument would interfere with that rapid progress
- Suspected Reason = oral arguments would slow things down too much
- Download as many samples as you'd like (see Part IV above)
- Recommendation: Use the TBD template (ie, Part IV above)
- Save the final version as a PDF file.
- File the final version in court
VII. Additional Resources
- Pro Se Handbook | Chapter 18 (Oral Argument in Florida's Appellate Courts and Florida's Supreme Court)
- The Florida Bar
- ©2016 Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section
- Live Broadcasts of Oral Arguments
- Supreme Court = http://wfsu.org/gavel2gavel/live-hd.php
- 1DCA = https://www.1dca.org/Oral-Arguments/Live-Video-Oral-Arguments
- 2DCA = https://www.2dca.org/Oral-Arguments/Live-Oral-Arguments
- 3DCA = https://www.3dca.flcourts.org/Oral-Arguments/Video-Oral-Argument-Live
- 4DCA = https://www.4dca.org/Oral-Arguments/Live-Video-Oral-Arguments
- 5DCA = https://www.5dca.org/Oral-Arguments/Live-Video-Oral-Arguments
- Archived Arguments
- Supreme Court = http://wfsu.org/gavel2gavel/
- 1DCA = https://www.1dca.org/Oral-Arguments/Oral-Argument-Video-Archives
- 2DCA = https://www.2dca.org/Oral-Arguments/Archived-Oral-Argument-Videos
- 3DCA = https://www.3dca.flcourts.org/Oral-Arguments/Video-Oral-Argument-Archives
- 4DCA = https://www.4dca.org/Oral-Arguments/Archived-Video-Oral-Arguments
- 5DCA = https://www.5dca.org/Oral-Arguments/Archived-Video-Oral-Argument-Sessions
VIII. Conclusion
...POINTS & THINGS...
Please get the justice you deserve.
Sincerely,
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