A Letter From The Chief Judge
We understand that this is a challenging and difficult time. We want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to address the impact the Coronavirus has on our community. Chief Judge Donald A. Myers, Jr. recently penned a letter to the community: Letter from the Chief Judge
Latest Administrative Order Governing Trial Court Proceedings
Chief Judge Myers entered an administrative order (AO) governing trial court proceedings in Orange and Osceola counties. The AO is accessible below and addresses jury trials, emergency matters, and many other issues: AO 2020-07-01 Temporary Order Governing Trial Court Proceedings
Statewide Emergency Orders
In response to a statewide emergency, the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court issues emergency orders establishing guidelines on how the courts will continue to dispense justice while addressing the emergent issues at hand. Here is a list of emergency orders Chief Justice Charles Canady has issued in response to the COVID-19 outbreak:
- Order extending suspension of jury trials & related matters (3/24)
- Order suspending deadlines in Bar regulation cases (3/20)
- Press Release: More COVID Emergency Orders to Follow (3/19)
- Order on administering oaths via remote audio-video equipment (3/18)
- Order on essential & critical trial court proceedings (3/17)
- Order on self-quarantine for some travelers (3/16)
- Order on jury trials (3/13)
- Order on monitoring and planning in response to COVID-19 (3/11)
Ninth Circuit Court Operations Policies
Event Postponements - All group tours and all court related-events (large group meetings, workshops, CLE sessions, luncheons, award ceremonies, competitions, etc.) have been canceled through the month of April. Our 4-night educational outreach program – Inside the Courts – has been postponed with the hopes of rescheduling later this year.
Jury Trial Suspensions - Jury trials have been suspended through April 17. Prospective jurors who were summoned between March 16 and April 17 have completed their service and may not be summoned again for at least 12 months from their last reporting date.
Limited Courthouse Access - In an ongoing effort to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the community, beginning tomorrow morning, March 17, 2020 through at least the end of business April 17, 2020 – the Ninth Judicial Circuit will permit only the following persons to access all state courthouses in Orange and Osceola counties:
- Persons seeking injunctions for protection
- Persons permitted, with advance notice, by the Chief Judge and/or presiding judge
Many court proceedings will be heard by remote electronic means. Others will be postponed or canceled. The following have been canceled:
- All proceedings at the outlying courthouses – Apopka, Ocoee and Winter Park
- All criminal and civil traffic infractions at the Orange and Osceola County courthouses
- All child support enforcement hearings before an enforcement hearing officer
Please contact the judicial assistant of the presiding judge for additional details.
Updated General Policies Across Divisions
- Orange County Criminal Court Instructions
- Orange County Criminal Court Schedule
- Osceola County Criminal Court Instructions
- Orange and Osceola County Felony Probation Instructions
- Emergency Order on Parenting in Domestic Relations Cases
- Public Safety Administrative Order
- Temporary Order Regarding VIsitation in All Dependency Cases
Safety Precautions
We are taking every precaution to minimize risk and protect your health while still providing essential services to our community. Increased sanitation measures have been enacted and cleaning crews are regularly sanitizing high contact surfaces throughout all courthouses.
Ongoing Updates
For up-to-the-minute updates, please follow us on our social media platforms – @NinthCircuitFL.