Florida Supreme Court issued the following announcement on June 26.
Fourth Judicial Circuit Implements New Procedures and Workarounds for Court Operations
Many innovative adjustments have been made to operations in the Fourth Judicial Circuit to keep the court moving forward during these challenging times. Chief Judge Mark Mahon and Trial Court Administrator Joe Stelma have guided our transition from normal courthouse operations to our “new normal.” Significant input from our judges and various committees has guided the framework to implement new procedures and workarounds for court operations.
First and foremost, Court Technology Officer Mike Smith and his staff are credited with transforming court operations to meet the incredible demands presented. Mike and his team implemented technology solutions immediately to address the need for the courts to social distance while continuing to handle essential and critical proceedings as well as important, non-essential proceedings.
Zoom is the primary platform our judges and court staff are using to conduct court business. Judges are using Zoom to conduct hearings in all court divisions, first appearance hearings, adoptions, and staffing and court sessions for the 10 problem-solving court programs in our circuit. Magistrates and hearing officers are using Zoom to conduct family law hearings for pro se litigants and attorney cases, Department of Revenue cases, and Baker Act and Marchman Act hearings. And court staff are using Zoom to conduct mediations (family, civil, county, dependency, and pre-trial small claims), and one-on-one case management for problem-solving courts and teen court clients. Zoom has been used to coordinate meetings for judges, conduct employee interviews, coordinate managers and department staff meetings, and train employees.
Court employees are working remotely to continue operations in the new normal. Judicial assistants and court staff are scheduling cases on calendars for judges, magistrates, and hearing officers, sending out hearing notices and orders, e-filing documents, handling attorney and pro se litigant questions through phone calls and e-mails, handling budget matters, paying invoices, and ordering supplies.
Court operations have continued without missing a beat. Our trial court administrator has made the safety of our judges and court staff a priority by ensuring that our circuit has stringent safety procedures in place to protect court staff. In addition, our circuit is stocked with hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, and all necessary supplies to keep everyone safe while they are in the courthouse and when staff eventually return from working remotely. Although some positives have been realized form the new normal, it will be refreshing to return to regular court operations that include a human element, which has been missed with social distancing mandates.
Original source can be found here.