Florida Supreme Court Committee to Host Nine Public Meetings on Future of Florida Courts
23 The Christian Reader October 2008
Florida Supreme Court Committee to Host Nine Public Meetings on Future of Florida Courts
Think of the changes Florida has undergone in the last two decades - and imagine the changes that will take place in the next two decades . As Florida changes , so too must Florida courts . Sheer population growth will increase the number of cases coming into the courts . Significant changes in demographic and societal trends will alter the kinds of cases that the courts must resolve . Economic changes will impact the resources available to handle cases . Emerging technologies will change the ways people interact with each other and with the courts .
Florida ’ s judicial branch is working on a long-range strategic plan so that the courts can respond to new challenges and stand firm as a strong cornerstone of a well-functioning society and a healthy economy . And it wants to hear from people around the state as it develops its plan .
The Supreme Court Task Force on Judicial Branch Planning will hold nine meetings around the state . The Task Force is inviting citizens and local officials to share their thoughts on trends and conditions that they believe will impact the ability of the judicial branch to carry out its mission over the next 20 years . The current strategic plan for the Florida judicial branch , which can be found at www . flcourts . org / gen _ public / stratplan / index . shtml , includes the mission and vision of the branch .
Dates and locations for the meetings are : Pensacola - September 29 - Pensacola Public Library , Main Orlando - October 1 - Orlando Public Library , Main Miami-Dade - October 2 - Miami-Dade Public Library , Coral Cables Branch Jacksonville - October 8 - Pablo Creek Regional Library St . Petersburg - October 14 - St . Petersburg College , St . Pete / Gibbs Campus
Port St . Lucie - October 15 - Schreiber Conference Center Ft . Myers - October 16 - Lakes Regional Library Live Oak - October 22 - Suwannee River Regional Library Sanford - October 23 - ( location TBA )
Persons with disabilities or those using a TDD through the Florida Relay Service , 711 , or who need an accommodation to participate should contact Kat Simpson at ( 850 ) 488-6569 as far in advance as possible , preferably at least five working days before the public hearing :
Individuals and organizations are also invited to submit written comments , which will be accepted through Nov . 1 . Comments may be sent to : Task Force on Judicial Branch Planning Office of the State Courts Administrator Strategic Planning Florida Supreme Court 500 South Duval Street Tallahassee , Florida 32399-1900
MISSION : The mission of the judicial branch is to protect rights and liberties , uphold and interpret the law , and provide for the peaceful resolution of disputes .
VISION : Justice in Florida will be accessible , fair , effective , responsive and accountable .
For more information contact : Steve Henley Senior Court Operations Consultant Office of the State Courts Administrator 850-488-6569 or henleys @ flcourts . org
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