Court News - 2021

Chief Justice Charles Canady on Wednesday recognized Florida State University College of Law Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor for contributions to prepare law students and law school graduates for the Florida Bar examination, especially in her role as registrant advocate.

Craig Waters, an innovative advocate for public trust and confidence in the judiciary, fierce warrior for government in the sunshine, and reluctant public face of the Florida Supreme Court when the world spotlight shone most brightly upon it, will retire in late February as director of public information after 35 years of public service to the Court and the people of Florida.

Chief Justice Charles Canady has proclaimed October 17-23 as Mediation Week, marking the importance of alternative dispute resolution as an effective substitute to litigation.

Chief Justice Charles T. Canady has issued administrative orders to transfer the work of the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice to the Judicial Management Council and, separately, to create a Workgroup on Access to Justice.

Fourth District Court of Appeal Has New Appreciation for Technology and IT Professionals

Second District Court of Appeal Improved Court Access with a “Porch Solution”

Twentieth Judicial Circuit Learned the Value of Having Adequate Technology Resources, PPEs, and a Plan for Meeting the Challenges of Remote Work

Through their education and outreach initiatives, Florida’s courts seek to deepen people’s understanding of the state courts system.

Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Learned How to Keep Cases Moving and Stay Productive

Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Departments Share an Abundance of Lessons Learned

Since the 2016 release of the branch-wide communication plan, Florida courts have been utilizing social media to communicate quickly and efficiently with internal and external audiences.

Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Learned How to Prevent COVID Outbreaks, Provide Peace of Mind, and Better Utilize Remote Technology

Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Borrowed Lessons Learned from Hurricane Michael to Operate Effectively during the Pandemic

For more than 40 years, Florida’s courts have been promoting mediation and other ADR processes, providing litigants with the chance to resolve conflicts without judicial intervention.

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Adapts to the New Normal

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Re-Imagines Best Ways to Prepare for Moving Beyond Essential Functions

This award honors outstanding and sustained service to the public, especially as it relates to support of...

Tenth Judicial Circuit Reflects on the Importance of Strong Relationships and Good Communications

Eleventh Judicial Circuit Embraces Resilience, Innovation, and Improving Access

Problem-solving courts seek to address root causes of justice system involvement.

The Florida Supreme Court has named Allison “Ali” Sackett as its next state courts administrator.

Ninth Judicial Circuit Realizes Its Courts are Remarkably Nimble and Resilient—and Has “Helpers” Everywhere

Eighth Judicial Circuit Has Fresh Appreciation for Its Collegial Community

Judge Lisa T. Munyon, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Receives the 2021 Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence

Seventh Judicial Circuit Discovered Many Positive Aspects of Remote Work—and Some Shortcomings

Judge Linda Singer Stein, Miami-Dade County, Receives the 2021 Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence

Sixth Judicial Circuit Devised Strategies for Protecting Everyone’s Health and Safety

Working closely with community, state, and federal partners, the branch is developing comprehensive, integrated approaches to handling cases involving children and families.

Fourth Judicial Circuit Learned How to Embark on a “Journey Never Imagined”

Fifth Judicial Circuit Leveraged Zoom and Teams for Greater Access, Safety, and Productivity

“this award honors a state or federal jurist who best demonstrates service to and support of the legal...

Members of the District Court of Appeal Workload and Jurisdiction Assessment Committee will take public comment at a July 15 meeting. Input from the public will help them fulfill their charge...

If We Only Knew in March 2020 What We Know Now: COVID-19 Lessons Learned

The Court Interpreter Certification Board is developing initiatives designed to remove real and perceived language access barriers to justice

The First District Court of Appeal mourns the loss of former First District Court of Appeal Chief Judge Anne Cawthon Booth, who passed away peacefully at her home in Tallahassee on June 14, 2021, at the age of 87.

Chief Judge Krista Marx, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, was named the Palm Beach County Bar Association Jurist of the Year for her “exemplary judicial leadership,” particularly for “her steadfast support...

Let your views be known about Florida’s District Courts of Appeal as part of a statewide assessment. Before answering the survey, see background on the appellate courts here. Respond to the survey here.

While the supreme court has been closed to visitors, Public Information Office and Library staff have developed a treasury of virtual educational programming.

The Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice is embarked on a coordinated effort to promote meaningful and informed access to civil justice.

November 2020 marked the twentieth anniversary of the Bush v. Gore presidential election cases at the Florida Supreme Court.  In the courtroom on November 20, 2000, and December 7, 2000, for the first time...

Senior Judge Lee Haworth was nominated for the Gladstone award because his judicial service — both before his retirement and after — contributed to better outcomes for children and families. Read the 12th Judicial Circuit Court News Story.

Streamlining the process by "h​elping people do things correctly at the front end"

The branch seeks to eliminate from court operations bias that is based on race, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, financial status, or any characteristic that is without legal relevance.

With Court News Florida news and information from courts across Florida are all available in one place.

Former Justice Joseph Hatchett, on the supreme court bench from 1975 – 1979, received the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Launched in April, the Virtual Courtroom Directory is the most recent supreme court initiative to bolster the accessibility of court proceedings.

The branch’s performance and accountability commissions were created in the late 1990s to enhance the performance of Florida’s courts and to ensure they use public resources efficiently and transparently.

Re-imagined as a virtual event this year, the annual Reporters Workshop is designed to help reporters better understand judicial processes.

Judge Thomas M. Gallen, Twelfth Judicial Circuit, was recognized with the 2021 Distinguished Citizen Award by the Manatee River Fair Association for his many contributions to Manatee County and its citizens.

The Council of State Governments has launched a new two-year Healthy States National Task Force...

Judge Kevin Emas, Third District Court of Appeal, was awarded the Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award by the Miami-Dade Trial Lawyers Association; this award recognizes exemplary professionalism...

The Florida Supreme Court’s Judicial Management Council would like to hear from you about the Florida Court System. We are updating the strategic plan for the state courts system and need you to tell us...

The branch response to COVID-19 has been shaped by two foundational policy goals: protect the lives and health of everyone at the court and keep the courts open to ensure justice for the people.

Judge Alice Blackwell, Ninth Judicial Circuit, was presented with the Thomas V. Behan Collaborative Excellence Award for her efforts to guide families to achieve peaceful resolution of their disputes through...

The Annual Report includes a short biography of each Florida Supreme Court justice. Read them here.

Judge Scott Bernstein, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, received the 2021 Judicial College Award for Teaching Excellence...

Explore filings statistics for Florida’s district courts, circuit courts, and county courts for FY 2018 – 2019

The Florida State Courts 2019 - 2020 Annual Report, now available in a print design, is one of the many tools the judicial branch uses to inform the public about court programs, services, and performance.

Line graphs chart a decade of county court, circuit court, district court, and supreme court filings (fiscal year 2009 - 2010 to fiscal year 2018 – 2019).

Chief Justice Canady reflects on how Florida’s courts have acclimated to the changed environment and continued the work of justice during the pandemic.

The Florida State Courts Annual Report aims to shed light on the purposes, roles, and responsibilities of the judicial branch and to increase public awareness about court programs, services, and performance.

Judge George E. Edgecomb, for whom the Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa is named, was a true trailblazer. Mr. Edgecomb rose to become Hillsborough County’s first Black chief assistant county solicitor and its...

Pie charts depict Florida state courts system appropriations for fiscal year 2019 – 2020 and fiscal year 2020 – 2021.

Pie charts depict the State of Florida budget for fiscal year 2019 – 2020 and fiscal year 2020 – 2021.

The Miami-Dade Courts’ Drive Legal Program new online portal is now live. The online portal allows allow individuals to apply to the program from their computer, tablet or other electronic device without having...

These tables provide an accounting of Florida judgeships that have been requested by chief judges, certified by the supreme court, and authorized by the legislature from 2011 – 2020.

Maintaining our well-being is critical at all times, not only when times are stressful. Justice Lawson explains, “When you are in a state of well-being, you have more mental clarity, more energy for work...

Studies on mindfulness have consistently found that, even during relatively quiet, uneventful periods in our lives, we need to make time to slow down, relax, breathe deep, and clear and cleanse our minds.

Learn about the court committees established by the Florida Supreme Court to gather input on judicial branch policies affecting the administration of justice.