Effective January 1, 2021 at 12:03 a.m., the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure have been modified to require, among other things, that computer-generated documents be filed in either Arial 14-point font or Bookman Old Style 14-point font. In addition, the page limits for computer-generated briefs and petitions were converted to word counts. The changes also require that the certificate of compliance at the end of a document which is subject to a word count certify that the document is in conformity with all font and word count requirements. To ensure compliance with the new requirements, all filers are encouraged to review the Supreme Court of Florida’s opinion at: https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/content/download/692679/opinion/sc20-597.pdf.

GUARDIANSHIP EXAMINING COMMITTEE

The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit is seeking qualified medical doctors (MD) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) willing to serve on the guardianship examining committee.  Members of the examining committee perform examinations of individuals who are the subject of petitions to determine incapacity in guardianship proceedings.  Individuals must be approved by the Chief Judge as members of the examining committee, and are independent contractors of the Circuit who are required to execute a contractual agreement for the provision of such services. 

 To qualify, the applicant must be familiar with Chapter 744, Florida Statutes and more particularly section 744.331, Florida Statutes, and be a psychiatrist or other physician (with specialization in geriatrics, gerontology, hospice, or palliative care).

 Members of the examining committee must be able to perform examinations and file a report with the clerk of the court within fifteen (15) days of the order of appointment.  Individuals who receive appointments will be paid either from the assets of the guardianship (once established) or, if the ward is indigent, by the State of Florida pursuant to a contractual agreement. Individuals who are selected will be required to meet all education and training requirements, as required by Florida Statutes.  Pursuant to section 744.331(3)(d), Florida Statutes and Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 2019-16-PRC, these education requirements may be satisfied online. 

 If you are interested in being considered for placement on the Circuit’s examining committee, please complete and submit the attached information to:

Office of the Trial Court Administrator

Attn. General Counsel

Broward County Courthouse

201 S.E. 6^th Street, Ste. WW20170

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
 

Upon receipt, your information will be reviewed and you may be scheduled for an interview with the review committee.

GUARDIANSHIP EXAMINING COMMITTEE APPLICATION

17th Judicial Circuit Virtual Jury Trial Initiative 

On May 11th, The 17th Judicial Circuit hosted a Circuit Civil Mock Jury Zoom Trial in partnership with ABOTA’s Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Due to current COVID-19 Crisis and the rising demand to keep the courts running remotely, The 17th Circuit has been experimenting with running Jury Trials Remotely, via ZOOM. This is The 17th’s third Mock Jury Zoom Trial in its: Virtual Jury Trial Initiative.

Below are the YouTube links to all 3 Mock Jury Zoom Trials:

Circuit Civil Mock Jury Zoom Trial, Partnered with ABOTA – 05/11/2020

County Criminal Mock Jury Zoom Trial – 05/06/2020

1st Circuit Civil Mock Jury Zoom Trial – 04/14/2020