On March 16, 2020, the Judicial Information Systems (JIS) network support team reimaged, tested, and deployed 86 laptops to court admin employees, making the laptops ready before they were requested.  Each user received a customized laptop and training on the spot about working remotely.

The Judges of the Fifteenth Circuit have embraced remote hearings as a method for meeting the mission of the courts and at the same time for helping to ensure the safety of our citizens by reducing in-person appearances.  Below are a few examples of action taken by our judges.

Following the Florida Supreme Court’s order, the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court began limiting the number of in-person hearings at the courthouses on Monday, March 23, 2020, welcoming people to its virtual courtrooms instead.  The world was fighting a virus, but the court found a way to “do justice” while keeping...

On Friday afternoon, March 13, 2020, Chief Judge Bertila Soto closed the Eleventh Circuit Courts to in-person proceedings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Immediately after, our circuit jumped headfirst into the world of remote appearance technology to explore how we could continue to provide justice to our community while...

We have transitioned from “in-the-courtroom proceedings with lots of paperwork” to video/audio court proceedings with electronic forms, filing, and signatures.  We have worked tirelessly with the clerks, public defenders office, state attorneys office, and other stakeholders to make some of these very important changes. 

Florida’s first remote jury selection, part of a voluntary pandemic pilot program that Chief Justice Charles Canady authorized in five circuits, began July 9 in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit (Miami-Dade). The jury selection process and trial streamed live on the 11th Circuit’s YouTube page. 

Administrative Judge Jennifer Bailey said, “We’re...

The Eighth Judicial Circuit has made it a priority to hear cases that impact children during this emergency period, whether those cases are classified as essential or are considered non-essential. Judges moved forward in unfamiliar territory to prevent these cases from being delayed.

Well before the Florida Supreme Court began issuing administrative orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our chief judge, Anthony Rondolino, and our trial court administrator, Gay Inskeep, thought it would be a good idea if the Sixth Judicial Circuit posted on the homepage of its website and on...

The Fifth Circuit is proud of the successes of its problem-solving courts, which are specialized dockets within the criminal justice system that aim to address the underlying issues that bring people into the court system.  The Fifth Circuit has a total of 22 problem-solving courts: 10 adult drug courts, one...

As the hour for arguments approached, the view from the Florida Supreme Court bench on May 6, 2020, was of an empty courtroom galley. Court computer technician Tyler Teagle sat alone at the table normally reserved for lawyers and used his laptop to oversee the Court's first-ever virtual oral arguments....