SCBA
President ’ s
COLUMN
Proposed Judicial Circuit Consolidation :
A Solution in Search of a Problem ?
by Amanda Kison , Esq . Bentley Goodrich Kison , P . A .
On June 30 , 2023 , the Supreme Court issued an Administrative Order appointing a Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee following a request by Speaker Paul Renner of the Florida House of Representatives that the Supreme Court consider whether a consolidation of Florida ’ s existing judicial circuits was warranted . Speaker Renner requested circuit boundaries be analyzed and suggested the consolidation of judicial circuits may generate substantial cost savings and increase public trust and confidence in the judiciary through greater efficiency and uniformity in the judicial process . Under article V , section 9 of the Florida Constitution , if the court determines a need to increase , decrease , or redefine judicial circuits , it must certify its findings and recommendations to the legislature .
Chief Judge Moreland , along with 13 other members comprised of judges , attorneys , and state attorneys and public defenders have been appointed to the committee . Pursuant to its charges , the committee must assume in making its findings and recommendations that the district court of appeal ( DCA ) boundaries will remain unchanged . In other words , any consolidation of judicial circuits , to the extent warranted , would be within their existing DCA boundaries . Using the 2nd District as an example , if consolidation was recommended , realignment would only be allowed for the 6th Judicial Circuit
( Pinellas and Pasco ), the 12th Judicial Circuit ( Manatee , Sarasota , and DeSoto ), and the 13th Judicial Circuit ( Hillsborough ). However , the Committee is also required , pursuant to Rule 2.241 , to consider less disruptive adjustments , including but not limited to , the addition of judges , the creation of branch locations , geographic or subject-matter divisions within judicial circuits , deployment of new technologies , and increased ratios of support staff per judge .
In preparation for the committee ’ s final report due on December 1 , 2023 , they have scheduled seven zoom meetings and two public hearings to gather feedback from Florida Bar members , as well as the public . At the committee ’ s first meeting , held on August 25th in Orlando , committee members heard from state attorneys , public defenders , state representatives , criminal and civil practitioners , including representatives from the Florida Criminal Association of Defense Lawyers , the Florida Justice Association , and the American Board of Trial Advocates . The message was united - they see no need to consolidate the circuits .
Because Rule 2.241 outlines the criteria by which the Supreme Court must analyze a question involving a change to the judicial circuits , most of the criticism leveled has been couched in the context
6 | THE DOCKET - OCTOBER 2023