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,...

We are most proud of the speed with which we were able to transition the First Judicial Circuit to a remote model.  Because our judges and court staff had already been through a large-scale digital transformation with the implementation of the court application processing system, better known as the CAPS...

Five trial-court circuits across the state have been chosen to conduct a test of remote technology as a safer alternative to traditional in-person civil jury trials. Locations for the pilot projects of civil jury trials are:

• Jacksonville’s Fourth Judicial Circuit comprising Clay, Duval, and Nassau counties.
• Daytona Beach’s Seventh Judicial Circuit...

On June 1, 2020, Florida’s Chief Justice Charles Canady issued a new administrative order adding Seminole County Sheriff Dennis M. Lemma to a COVID-19 Workgroup helping steer the state courts through the coronavirus pandemic. In the order, Canady noted that the mission of the Workgroup in advising him on emergency matters...

Florida’s Chief Justice Charles Canady issued an order late on May 21, 2020, creating a new pilot program for civil jury trials to be held using remote technology. It will explore ways to let one of the most central parts of the state justice system – jury trials – begin...

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....

Work of the judicial branch continues around Florida as the public health emergency continues. How it’s happening on the ground can be seen throughout the state, and in the experience of one South Florida county.

Florida’s courts are taking steps now to prepare for the staged resumption of court operations that have been curtailed due to the public health emergency. An order from Chief Justice Charles T. Canady anticipates a phased approach to the eventual resumption of full operations.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, judges around Florida now complete their daily work using remote technology. On March 11, 2020, Florida's Chief Justice Charles Canady began issuing statewide orders authorizing state courts to use remote technology to keep people safe. Judge Frederick L. Pollack in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of...

Florida’s court public information officers are working to act and react to fast-changing circumstances in the current public health emergency by making sure the status of their respective courts is reflected on their websites, including posting all administrative orders, memorandums, or similar announcements.

The Supreme Court website is also publishing a...