Programs & Services - State of Florida Fifth Judicial Circuit

Numerous programs and services have been developed by the Fifth Judicial Circuit to help facilitate the judicial process and serve the citizens and litigants of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties.

2024 Professionalism Conference

The educational division of the Professionalism Committee promotes professionalism and ethics by developing and hosting a Professionalism Conference every other year. The latest Professionalism Conference was held in April 2024 and focused on the First Principles of Professionalism.

Submitting Proposed Orders

The Fifth Judicial Circuit utilizes the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) as its Judicial Viewer. Among its many features, ICMS allows for the electronic receipt and processing of orders proposed by users through Florida’s E-Filing Portal.

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.

Counsel Registry

Registries for Counsel for Children with Special Needs and Conflict Counsel.

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.

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.

Dog Therapy Registry

Section 92.55(4), Florida Statutes (2013), enables the court to establish conditions it finds just and appropriate when taking the testimony of a child, including the use of a service or therapy animal that has been evaluated and registered according to national standards, in any proceeding involving a sexual offense.

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.

Eldercaring Coordination Registry

Eldercaring coordination is a dispute resolution process during which an eldercaring coordinator assists elders, legally authorized decision-makers, and others who participate by court order or invitation to resolve disputes with high conflict levels in a manner that respects the elder’s needs.

Fifth Circuit 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.

Guardianship Training – Approved Providers

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

Intern/Extern/Volunteer Program

The Fifth Judicial Circuit encourages the community to take advantage of the opportunities available to enhance their knowledge and careers.

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 Early Childhood Court (ECC)

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 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.

News & Info

Fifth Judicial Circuit news alerts, media information, recording, social media, and public records requests.

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.

Registries- Fifth Judicial Circuit Approved

The Fifth Judicial Circuit’s registry on private attorneys that represent children with certain special needs. Registry for Conflict Counsel, Expert Witness Services, Arbitrators, Guardianship Examining Committee and Developmental Disabilities, and Parenting Coordination.

Sumter County Early Childhood Court (ECC)

Early Childhood Court works with families of children in the 0-5 year age range who are involved in Dependency Court.

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.

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).

Virtual Hearings

In order to facilitate court activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Florida State Court System is providing Judges the ability to host court proceedings via Zoom.