F R O M T H E T H I R T E E N T H J U D I C I A L C I R C U I T C H I E F
Ronald Ficarrotta - Chief Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
J U D G E
Court operations in a
CoVid-19 environment
T
addressing the needs of the circuit, within the spaces we have,
is complicated.
he court facilities of the Thirteenth Judicial
Circuit are meant to serve the people. They
must be open to the public and accessible
to all. However, COVID-19 has had a
significant impact on Hillsborough County,
to include court business. Community leaders had to
shift from normal business
operations to COVID-19
compliant operations. My
focus was to ensure that
essential court events and
mission critical hearings
could be held in an
environment that promotes
public health.
Thankfully,
I
have
numerous support systems.
The Admini strative Office
of the Courts for the
Thirteenth Circuit had
recently updated our Continuity of Operations Plan
(COOP) and Pandemic Plan, which enabled me to
quickly prioritize the types of hearings that must be held.
The Centers for Disease Control and the Florida
Department of Health provided guidance on social
distancing, maximum room occupancy, and cleaning
protocols. Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady
and the Administrative Office of the State Courts held
teleconferences to address the needs and questions
of the Circuit Court Chief Judges. I quickly acquired
the information needed to enter Administrative Order
S-2020-019 (dated March 18, 2020), detailing the
COVID-19 mitigation efforts of the circuit.
However, addressing the critical needs of the circuit,
within the spaces we have, is complicated. Courtrooms
of the Thirteenth Circuit were not built with social
distancing in mind. The criminal annex was built in
phases, in 1952 and 1984. While there have been build-outs
16
and updates to provide security enhancements,
incorporate technology, and create additional courtrooms
and seating, no one ever contemplated that court
attendees would need to stay six feet from each other or
participate remotely. First appearances following arrest
take place in courtroom 17, where those in custody
make video appearances.
Key participants generally
appear in person and
witnesses testify within
the courtroom. In order
to provide more distance
between
people,
a
microphone was installed
in the public gallery,
allowing witness testi mony
from a distance. And only
those whose presence is
essential are now permitted
into the courtroom.
We have also made significant changes as to the way
by which juvenile detention hearings are conducted.
Remote video appearances of parties are the new norm,
to include the youth at the detention facility and their
parents/guardians. The judge sees and hears everyone
from a monitor on the bench. Shelter hearings are also
conducted with video appearances.
Times like these can bring out the best in people.
I am grateful for active engagement of my fellow judges,
to include the Administrative Judges who generously
shared ideas and support. Our local justice partners,
such as the Clerk, Public Defender, State Attorney,
Sheriff and Chiefs of Police, were tireless in their efforts
to see justice served while ensuring public safety.
Obstacles are overcome with collaboration and
innovation. The business of the court continues when
we all aspire to the same goals. In Hillsborough County,
our justice partners share goals, and we reach them. n
M AY - J U N E 2 0 2 0
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HCBA LAWYER