IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT |
Two matters of general interest to members of the Bar of the Tenth Judicial Circuit will be addressed at the Circuit’s Bench/Bar Committee meeting on December 14, 2005, Conference Room 9A, Polk County Courthouse, Bartow, at 4:30 p.m. The matters are proposed changes to the Circuit’s uniform ORDER SETTING PRETRIAL CONFERENCE AND JURY TRIAL AND DIRECTING MEDIATION, and proposed uniform procedures for forfeiture actions filed in this Circuit. These matters are more specifically described below. Anyone who wants to comment on the proposals or provide input may (i) attend the meeting by providing advance notice to Jim Valenti, Chair of the Bench/Bar Committee, at 644-6478 or j.valenti@GVAlawyers.com; or (ii) provide input by email to Ralph Artigliere, Administrative Judge, Civil Division, rartigliere@jud10.flcourts.org. 1. Modifications to uniform trial order: The Conference of Judges, at the recommendation of the circuit civil judges, propose changes to the ORDER SETTING PRETRIAL CONFERENCE AND JURY TRIAL AND DIRECTING MEDIATION. The changes are not extensive, but they are important. The civil judges propose these changes to improve the effectiveness of the order and eliminate or modify requirements that need to be updated to current practice. Judge Jacobsen reviewed orders from around the state before recommending the attached proposal. A version of the current Order with additions in red and deletions struck through is available on our website as a PDF file. Current Order 2. Forfeiture proceedings. The circuit civil judges have encountered a number of problems caused by the lack of uniformity in forfeiture proceedings filed by petititoners in the circuit. In addition, scheduling issues and judicial assignment to cases has presented challenges for the court and litigants. The circuit civil judges are proposing to clarify the special requirements of these types of cases and identify the appropriate process within the circuit for such cases. The matters to be discussed at the Bench/Bar meeting are: a. Requirements for uniformity in filing forfeiture actions. b. How cases are filed and judges assigned. c. Handling scheduling issues caused by deadlines. d. Providing judges with copies of prior pleadings and advising the judge of prior rulings in the case by other judges. e. Whether an administrative order, local rule, or judicial courtroom preferences will be used to implement requirements. Respectfully submitted, Ralph Artigliere Circuit Judge Administrative Judge, Circuit Civil Division Florida’s
Tenth Judicial Circuit: Where
Professionalism is a Priority |