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. The latest Order from the Florida Supreme Court orders Courthouses closed to non-emergency proceedings through the end of May. Here is a list of important emergency orders Chief Justice Charles Canady has issued in response to the COVID-19 outbreak:

  • April 6 | AOSC20-23 New Emergency Order suspending jury trials and closing courthouses through May 30 & guidelines regarding applying social distancing & use of remote technology
  • March 18 | AOSC20-16 Order on Administering Oaths via Remote Audio-Video Equipment
  • March 17 | AOSC20-15 Order on Essential and Critical Trial Court Proceeding
  • March 16 | AOSC20-14 Order on Self-Quarantine For Some Travelers
  • March 13 | AOSC20-13 Order on Jury Trials
  • March 11 | AOCS20-12 Order on Monitoring and Planning in Response to COVID-19

9th Circuit (Orange and Osceola Counties)

The Courthouse is closed to the public with very few exceptions. Jury trials are suspended and all group events are postponed. All non-emergency family law hearings are to be held telephonically or via videoconference. Hearings on Petitions for Temporary Injunctions relating to the safety of an individual are still being held. All child support enforcements actions in from of the hearing officer have been cancelled.

18th Circuit (Seminole and Brevard Counties)

All contested civil family law cases through May 29, 2020 are being rescheduled, except by approval of the Judge. Injunction petitions and proceedings shall be via telephone or videoconference.

7th Circuit (Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns & Volusia Counties)

Courthouses are closed through May 29, 2020 although hearings will be heard in family law cases where the imminent safety of children is an issue as well as domestic violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, dating violence and stalking injunction hearings are going forward.

5th Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Marion, Lake, Sumter Counties)

The following hearings will be conducted during the closure:

First Appearance Hearings, Shelter Hearings, Baker Act Hearings, Marchman Act Hearings, Emergency Guardianship Hearings, Risk Protection Order Hearings, Juvenile Detention Hearings, Initial Domestic Violence Injunction Hearings and any other matter that is determined to be related to the immediate and imminent health, welfare, and safety of an individual or the general public.

All hearings are to be conducted via electronic communication to the maximum extent feasible.