Requirements & Information

JACS
Attorney
Public
Locations
Self Help Center

Honorable Don T. Hall

Circuit Court Judge

Contact Information

Judicial Service

  • County Court Bench, January 1995
  • Circuit Court Bench, June 2016

Education

  • JD, St. Thomas University School of Law, 1989
Judicial Assistant
Anita
Email
Email Anita at abowles@jud12.flcourts.org
Phone
(863) 993–4644, Ext. 426
Chamber
DeSoto County Courthouse
Physical Address
115 E. Oak St., Suite 201, Arcadia, FL 34266
Mailing Address
115 E. Oak St., Suite 201, Arcadia, FL 34266
Office Hours
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed for lunch Noon-1 p.m.
Courtroom
Proceedings are held in Courtroom 201

Division Assignment(s)

Notice to the public: The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the Judges of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit to discuss pending cases with the public. Please do not call or email the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case. The Court is only allowed to consider arguments made in the courtroom and in documents properly filed by actual parties in the case as authorized by law and the Rules of Court. The Court cannot ethically read or consider any other opinions or arguments about the case. Communications that do not meet these legal requirements cannot be forwarded to the Judges.

Background

Judge Don T. Hall is a native Floridian born in Miami. He attended Florida schools including the University of Miami and Saint Thomas University School of Law. After being sworn into The Florida Bar, Senior United States District Chief Judge James L. King asked Judge Hall to become his law clerk. He was also appointed to serve on the Florida Commission on Ethics by Governor Martinez. Shortly thereafter he became an Assistant State Attorney assigned to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida. In 1994, Don was elected to the County Court in and for DeSoto County where he served until his appointment to the Circuit bench in 2016. At his investiture, his uncle, a former member of the infamous Black Sheep Squadron, stated that Don was a skinny towheaded kid and that all he wanted to do was become a cowboy. He grew up spending every vacation and summer working as a cowboy. Don knew as a teenager that he wanted to make DeSoto County his home. He is a graduate of the Florida Judicial College and the National Judicial College. Notably, his grandfather, father, uncles, brother, wife and son were and are attorneys.

Judge Hall’s grandfather, Miles Lewis Hall, Sr., came to DeSoto County in 1938. It was always his intention to start a cattle ranch. He ultimately established the Hall Ranch in Charlotte County and the Pine Island Ranch in Desoto County. Don’s father, Miles Lewis Hall Jr., developed a love for ranching. Judge Hall established his residence on the ranch known as Tiger Bay Ranch in DeSoto County. Judge Hall enjoys managing and supervising the ranch. While his first interest is the judiciary, his interest in the cattle industry cannot be overlooked.

Through the years, Judge Hall has devoted much of his free time to the Arcadia Rodeo and has served as president of the Rodeo Committee for the past twenty-one years. This charitable organization is well known as one of the best rodeos in the nation. Governor Jeb Bush has recognized his community activities. In 1999, he received the statewide Peace at Home Award in recognition of his improvement in domestic relations. In 2005, Judge Hall was inducted into the Class XXIV Leadership Florida program. Participants are chosen for their abilities, passion about our state, and commitment to help make great things happen for Florida.

Judge Hall is married to Cynthia Hall. Cynthia, a lawyer with the firm Silverio Hall, specializes in Marital and Family Law. Cynthia has consistently been voted Super Lawyer by her peers. Together they have two children, Parker and Casey. Parker was admitted into the Florida Bar in 2018 and has joined the Silverio Hall Firm. In 2024 Casey was admitted to the Bar in both South Carolina and Florida.

Requirements & Information

Standards of Professionalism

Judge Don T. Hall expects all attorneys who appear to know and adhere to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s Standards of Professionalism, also available on the websites of the Manatee County Bar Association and the Sarasota County Bar Association.

A. Remote Appearance

Judge Hall allows remote appearance via Zoom for all case types. Please note that Judge Hall handles all Circuit Divisions for DeSoto County and therefore Zoom credentials are specific to the type of hearing. Please find all Zoom information on Judge Hall’s Zoom page. Please email the Judicial Assistant with any questions.

B. Hearing Procedures

Zoom hearings for Civil cases are permitted without motion and order. If all parties are unable to appear by Zoom they may appear in person at the DeSoto County Courthouse.

C. Communications with the Court

Mailing address is 115 E. Oak St., Suite 201, Arcadia, FL 34266. Email the Judicial Assistant, Anita, at abowles@jud12.flcourts.org. Phone number is (863) 993 4644, Ext. 426.

D. Submission of Orders

If the parties have an agreed/stipulated order, the order may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant. If the parties have not agreed on the order both sides may submit their own proposed orders to the Judicial Assistant. Please indicate in the email that the orders were not agreed upon.

E. Courtesy Copies

The scheduling attorney must provide the judge’s office with a courtesy copy of the notice of hearing as well as a copy of the motion being scheduled for hearing. Notices and Motions under a total of 15 pages may be emailed to Anita. These documents should be furnished to the judicial assistant at least 5 days prior to the date of the hearing. Notices of cancellation of hearing should be filed with the Clerk of the Court, and a copy emailed to Anita as soon as possible.

No later than one week prior to hearing date, it is required that scheduling attorney furnish the judge with copies of:

  1. Notice of Hearing;
  2. Motion; and
  3. any supporting case law.

F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters

Requests for emergency hearing time must be submitted to Judge Hall in writing with a copy of the motion. After review, Judge Hall will determine if hearing time is required.

G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

No later than one week prior to hearing date, it is required that scheduling attorney furnish the judge with a hearing binder.

H. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences

In Circuit Civil cases if the Case Management Report was filed the Case Management Conference is waived. If the Report is not filed you will receive an Order Setting Case Management Conference.

I. Setting Case for Trial

If the Case Management Report was agreed upon the Court will send a Trial Order for the agreed upon Trial Week. If the Report is not filed you will receive an Order Setting Case Management Conference.

J. Preferred Division Forms

Judge Hall accepts all of the widely used forms found on the Court Forms page.

K. Other Division Procedures

Hearings of more than 60 minutes must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant. Please email Anita Bowles.

The scheduling of all criminal motions shall be done through Anita Bowles.