Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Services

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was enacted to ensure that all qualified individuals with disabilities enjoy the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities.

Batterers Intervention Program

Pursuant to section 741.325(1), Florida Statutes, when the court orders the respondent to participate in a batterers’ intervention program, the court, or any entity designated by the court, must provide the respondent with a list of batterers’ intervention programs from which the respondent must choose a program in which to participate.

Differentiated Active Civil Case Management System (DACMS)

The Florida Supreme Court Issued Administrative Order AOSC20-23 amendment 10 on March 9, 2021 requiring the Chief Judge to implement a differentiated active case management system (DACMS) for most civil cases. For information on Civil Case Management and the Civil Case Backlog Docket click below.

FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Court Approved Registries

Approved Court Registries for services associated with Fifth Judicial Circuit

Court Reporting

Court reporting is the process which creates and preserves a record of words spoken in court, and when necessary, provides their timely and accurate transcription in the event that an appeal is filed.

Court Technology

The Office of Court Technology is managed by the Court Technology Officer under the direction of the Chief Judge and the Trial Court Administrator.

Drug Court Programs

Drug Courts exist to provide participants with the opportunity to become productive, drug free members of the community while increasing public safety and reducing crime in a cost efficient manner.

Guardianship Training – Approved Providers

Each Chief Judge approves the specific training for 4 and 8-hour guardianships in their Circuits.

Interpreting Services

The Fifth Judicial Circuit is committed to providing qualified interpreters to limited-English-proficient and deaf persons in order to eliminate communication barriers that may prevent full participation in court proceedings.

Marion County Juvenile Civil Citation Program

This Juvenile Civil Citation Program is an alternative to arrest for youth 13-17 years of age who commit certain first time misdemeanor offenses.

Marion County Juvenile Sanctions Program

The Juvenile Alternative Sanctions Program maintains an array of alternatives for youth in contempt of court. Youth in contempt of court may include youth who have violated home detention or Failed to Appear (FTA) for court.

Mediation Services

Mediation has become very prevalent and very popular in the judicial system within the past few years. It has been very helpful in resolving differences between parties, and in reducing the number of cases going to trial.

Mental Health Court Programs

Mental Health Court is a specialized court docket for defendants with mental disabilities that substitutes traditional court processing with a problem-solving model.

Process Server Program

The Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit has implemented the Certified Civil Process Server Program, in order to efficiently and uniformly ensure proficiency and professionalism in the service of civil process and in keeping with public trust and legal importance of proper service of process.

Professionalism Committee

The educational division of the Professionalism Committee promotes professionalism and ethics by developing and hosting a Professionalism Conference every other year. The Professional Practice division promotes professionalism and ethics in the legal profession through local peer panels appointed by the Chief Judge.

Registry Information – Conflict Counsel

Attorneys that would like to be added to the Fifth Judicial Circuit Registry for Conflict Counsel to represent individuals in all criminal, including capital case proceedings, Juvenile delinquency proceedings, Juvenile Dependency, Termination of Parental Rights proceedings Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predator Proceedings (pursuant to the Jimmy Ryce Act) or any other relevant proceeding in the Fifth Judicial Circuit must fill out an application for the Chief Judges’ consideration.

Teen Court Programs

The Teen Court concept is based on the philosophy that youthful offenders will not continue to offend when a jury of their peers punishes them.

Therapy Dog Program

The Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit has determined that the use of therapy dogs to assist the victim witness may be appropriate in other traumatic proceedings including family court or dependency and Termination of Parental Rights proceedings.

Veteran Treatment Court

The Veterans Court model requires regular court appearances as well as mandatory attendance at treatment sessions and frequent and random testing for substance use (drug and/or alcohol).