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

Administrative Order No: 2020–8a.2

(cancels and supersedes AO 2020–8.2)

In Re:

Lifts the Temporary Suspension
of Jury Summonses Due to COVID-19

Whereas, this circuit and the entire Florida State Courts System are currently operating under COVID-19 emergency procedures and mission essential functions[1]; and

Whereas, the Florida Supreme Court temporarily suspended grand jury proceedings, jury selection proceedings, and criminal and civil jury trials until at least 30 days after counties have transitioned to Phase 2[2]; and

Whereas, on March 20, 2020, this court entered Administrative Order 2020-8-2, which authorized the clerks of court within this circuit to suspend the summonsing of jurors; and

Whereas, Manatee and Sarasota County are transitioning to Phase 2 of court operations effective August 17, 2020; and

Whereas, pursuant to section 40.23, Florida Statutes, the clerks of court are responsible for summoning jurors for jury duty with at least 14 days prior to the sitting of such court, however, upon order of the court, jurors may be summoned with less than 14 days' notice; and

Whereas, due to the transition to Phase 2, and with jury trials able to resume 30 days after the transition, it is reasonable to lift the suspension of summoning jurors for jury duty; and

Now, Therefore, in order to provide for continued court operations during this emergency, and in accordance with Article V, section 7, Florida Constitution, Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215, and section 43.26, Florida Statutes, it is Ordered:

  1. I hereby lift the suspension which authorized the clerks of court within the Twelfth Judicial Circuit to stop summoning jurors for jury duty.
  2. Administrative Order 2020-8.2 is canceled and superseded by this order.

Done and ordered in chambers at Sarasota County, Florida, this 14th day of August, 2020.

Kimberly C. Bonner
Chief Judge

  1. See AOSC20-13, AOSC 20-15, AOSC20-17 and Twelfth Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 2020-04a.2, titled COVID-19 Emergency Procedures and Mission Essential Functions.
  2. See AOSC20-23, Amendment 6 and AOSC20-32, Amendment 3.

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