Court News - 2024

A wide-ranging framework of new and amended rules goes into effect on January 1, 2025. See, In Re: Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Case No. SC2023-0962. For additional information, visit the Florida Supreme Court website, which maintains a list of new and recently amended rules and forms.

The Florida Supreme Court Historical Society’s annual dinner fundraiser, A Supreme Evening 2025, is coming up on January 16, 2025. This event is the historical society’s main fundraiser, which helps to fulfill their mission of preserving the history of Florida’s highest court and supporting education about the court system. A Supreme Evening 2025 will be held at Florida State University’s Dunlap Champions Club in Tallahassee.

Visit the Florida Courts website for the new issue of the Half Court Press. This issue covers the latest Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence, the dedication of the Judge Augustus D. Aikens, Jr. Leon County Courthouse, the new marshal of the Supreme Court, and more.

On November 22, 2024, community leaders, colleagues, family, and friends gathered in the Leon County Courthouse to celebrate the retirement of Judge Augustus D. Aikens, Jr., followed by a dedication of the courthouse in his honor. After a judicial career of 27 years, Judge Aikens was Leon County’s longest-serving county court judge. 

The Sixth District Court of Appeal has launched a new podcast called Florida Oral Arguments. The podcast provides oral arguments of the Florida Supreme Court and all of Florida’s District Courts of Appeal. Florida Oral Arguments is available now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

As of Monday, November 18th, the Second DCA will resume all court operations at 1700 N. Tampa Street, Suite 300, Tampa, FL 33602. In-person filings will be accepted at this location starting on Monday, November 18th. You may also contact the clerk's office at (727) 610-3741 for assistance. 

Since 1995, November has been known as National Adoption Month. It serves as a time to bring awareness to the more than 100,000 children currently in foster care in the U.S. It is also a chance to honor the many adoptive and kinship families that give these children a permanent place to call home.

Florida’s courts handle millions of case filings every year, and some of those cases garner a lot of public interest. When a high-profile case is in the news or trending or social media, you can always look to the courts themselves for accurate information.

By preparing for cybersecurity threats, having a plan to respond to cybersecurity events, and following some simple recommendations, we can all help to limit the impacts of online criminal activity and continue to enjoy the benefits of our connected services.

For 2024, Mediation Week officially changes to Alternative Dispute Resolution Week in recognition of the importance of all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz signed a proclamation recognizing October 13-19 as Alternative Dispute Resolution Week in Florida’s courts.

Judge Ari Abraham Porth is the 2024 circuit court recipient of the Chief Justice Judicial Excellence Award, recognizing Judge Porth’s exceptional commitment to the judicial branch and his outstanding contributions to the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County.

As of Wednesday, October 16, all state courts have reopened after closures due to Hurricane Milton. Until further notice, no in-person filings will be accepted at the Second DCA location in the Stetson Tampa Law Center. Such filings should instead be made at the Sixth DCA, Located at 811 E. Main Street, Lakeland, Florida.

All state courts are set to be open on Tuesday, October 1. Administrative orders to extend time for deadlines that arrived during closures will be issued in coming days. Updated information about court closures is available on the Florida Supreme Court's website.

The Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (FLAFCC) and the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA) recently held their 20^th Annual Advanced Education Program with the theme “Recognize the Signs: Plan the Solutions.”

The new edition of the Full Court Press, the official newsletter of the Florida State Courts System, is now available on the Florida Courts website.

Mark Weinberg has been selected by the Justice Management Institute (JMI) Board of Directors as the recipient of its 2024 Ernest C. Friesen Award of Excellence to recognize his leadership and achievements in enhancing and improving the administration of justice.

Students at the University of Florida Levin College of Law had the opportunity to attend a Florida Supreme Court certified county mediation training presented by Professor Donna Erez-Navot and OSCA Senior Court Operations Consultant Kimberly Kosch.

Now is the time to submit nominations for the 2024 Reporters’ Workshop, which will be held in Tallahassee from October 6-8, 2024. For more information and the nomination form, please visit http://www.floridabar.org/reportersworkshop.

Six OSCA staff members recently graduated from the Certified Public Manager program at Florida State University.

The Florida Supreme Court and the Office of the State Courts Administrator are open Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Some Florida state courts remain closed due to impacts from Hurricane Debby. Visit www.flcourts.gov/debby for the latest updates and court closures.

Starting in July 2028, Florida will adopt the NextGen Bar Exam, replacing the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and keeping a Florida-specific component. Approved by the Florida Supreme Court, this aims to give early notice to law students and schools. The NextGen Bar Exam will cover essential skills identified by Florida attorneys, with additional topics in the Florida-specific portion.

Judge Sherri L. Collins of the Palm Beach County Court is the recipient of the 2024 Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence. Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz presented the honor at the annual education program of the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida.

The state budget for FY 2024-2025 has been approved, with most of the items requested in the judicial branch's legislative budget request being partially or fully funded.

The Florida Courts Technology Commission (FCTC) is saying farewell to its long-serving chair, Chief Judge Lisa Munyon of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, who is concluding her service with the commission on June 30, 2024. 

The new edition of the Full Court Press, the official newsletter of the Florida State Courts System, is now available on the Florida Courts website.

With the 2024 hurricane season beginning on June 1, now is the time to review and test emergency procedures, update communication plans, and assess overall preparedness.

The Florida Courts Technology Commission is accepting applications for a public member to serve on the Commission. Applications are due by May 31, 2024. Complete information is available on the Florida Courts website.

Scammers never rest. Be cautious of a new email scam about phony court cases, and stay vigilant about jury duty scams that are still circulating. Read our five reminders to help avoid becoming the victim of a scam.

May ushers in both Problem-Solving Court Month and Opioid & Stimulant Use Disorder Awareness Month. Read the proclamation issued by Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz and find numerous resources online to make the most of this important month.

The Appellate Case Information System (ACIS) is now live in all of Florida’s appellate courts. ACIS allows users to search court dockets and available case documents for the Florida Supreme Court and all six of Florida’s District Courts of Appeal.

Anyone seeking judicial office should plan to attend an upcoming Judicial Campaign Conduct Forum. The forums are scheduled for May 2 and 3, 2024, and will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, and online via Zoom.

The Half Court Press is a new publication designed to feature important news and events that happen between releases of the Full Court Press newsletter.

This February, more than 300 court employees from across the state participated in the 2024 Florida Court Personnel Institute. The institute is designed to help attendees enhance knowledge, build skills, and promote ethical standards, all with the goal of ensuring the competent and fair administration of justice.

The Florida Pro Bono Service Awards are an annual event honoring the exceptional efforts of Florida lawyers, judges, law firms, and bar associations to provide free legal services to those in need. This year's awards ceremony was held on January 18, 2024.

Start the New Year by learning more about the newest member of the Supreme Court of Florida, Justice Meredith L. Sasso.

The fall 2023 edition of the Full Court Press is here!

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on some of the important events that took place in the Florida State Courts System in 2023.