Administrative Order Viewer

In the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit
in and for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties, Florida

Administrative Order 2017–17.4

Whereas, it is necessary for the prompt dispatch of the business of the circuit and county courts, Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties, that circuit judges be temporarily assigned to duty in the county court and that county judges be temporarily assigned to duty in the circuit court; and

Whereas, it is necessary that circuit judges in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties proceed temporarily and be assigned to duty in county court in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties; and

Whereas, consistent with Physicians Healthcare Plans, Inc. v. Pfeiffer, 846 So.2d 1129 (Fla. 2003) this order is limited in duration, it does not divest a court of jurisdiction, it does not assign a county judge to exclusively circuit work, nor does it assign a circuit judge to exclusively county work; and

Whereas, in this time of crowded dockets and extremely limited resources in the state courts system, it is necessary to utilize judicial resources in a cost-effective manner to maximize the efficient administration of justice. See, e.g., State v. Brady, 985 So.2d 656, 665 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008) in which the appellate court relied upon a similar order to find that a circuit court judge had jurisdiction as an acting county court judge to hear a misdemeanor DUI case.

Thus, in accordance with Article V, §2, Florida Constitution, Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215, and §43.26, Florida Statutes, it is therefore

Ordered:

1. I do hereby assign and designate The Honorable Charles P. Sniffen, Circuit Court Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida, to proceed to the county courts in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties, to hear, conduct, try, and determine county court cases that are brought before the judge as a temporary judge of the county court, and thereafter to dispose of all matters considered by the judge, including but not limited to emergency and advisory duty matters from September 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017.
2. The Honorable Charles P. Sniffen, under and by virtue of the authority hereof, is vested with all the powers and prerogatives conferred by the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida upon the judges of the courts to which he is hereby temporarily assigned.
3. Effective December 31, 2017, this administrative order is hereby rescinded.

Done and ordered in chambers at Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida, this 1^st day of September, 2017.

Charles E. Williams,
Chief Judge,
Twelfth Judicial Circuit