IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 5-14.1

ADOPTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

WHEREAS, the Judiciary of the Family Division of the Tenth Circuit in Polk County and the Staff of the Domestic Violence Program have recognized that Administrative Order No. 5-14.0 entered February 17, 1992, has become obsolete as a result of statutory changes as well as the promulgation of forms by the Florida Supreme Court, and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Court that the Domestic Violence Program, created by the 1992 Administrative Order, continue to be recognized as the Domestic Violence Program in this Circuit, such that the clerk of the court will assist petitioners in seeking injunctions for protection against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating and sexual violence, and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Court that the Clerk of Court comply with the statutory directives of Florida Statutes, presently set forth in Chapter 741 and Chapter 784, Florida Statutes. Specifically, the clerk of court shall ". . . provide simplified petition forms for the injunction, any modifications, and the enforcement thereof, including instructions for completion." Section 741.30(2)(c)2, Fla. Stat. (2003), and Section 784.046, Fla. Stat. (2003),

WHEREAS, the Clerk of Court has developed a procedure for assisting the petitioners in filling out the forms promulgated by the Florida Supreme Court and in compliance with Florida Statutes, and the Clerk has identified this developed procedure as "the intake procedure", and has provided a copy of the written intake procedure to the Judiciary assigned to the Family Division in Polk County, and a copy of such procedure is attached hereto as Exhibit A, and

WHEREAS, it is the intent that any changes to the intake procedure remain in compliance with any future statutory law or any future procedural rule made by the Florida Supreme Court, such that the written intake procedure as outlined in Exhibit A may be amended from time to time by submission of an Amended Exhibit A from the Clerk of Court for the approval of the Administrative Judge in the Family Division and the Chief Judge by subsequently amended Administrative Order.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Administrative Order No. 5-14.0, dated February 17, 1992, is and has been rescinded and superceded by this Order. The Clerk of Court shall adhere to the written intake procedures as outlined in Exhibit A attached hereto. Exhibit A may be amended from time to time by an amended Administrative Order.

DONE AND ORDERED on this 8th day of March 2004.

RONALD A. HERRING

Chief Judge

Distribution:

Each Judge

Domestic Violence Program – Polk County

Family Division Court Staff

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