Administrative Order Viewer

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

Administrative Order 2021–7.3

(rescinds and supersedes Administrative Order 2018–16.3)

Whereas, pursuant to section 796.07(4) of the Florida Statutes, the Florida Legislature requires pretrial intervention in certain prostitution charges; and

Whereas, the State Attorney for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit has implemented the Turn Your Life Around ("TYLA") program, a pretrial diversionary program which results in the dismissal of certain misdemeanor and felony charges, or results in no jail/prison, or substantially decreases the amount of jail/prison time for said charges; and

Whereas, TYLA has achieved success in the rehabilitation of those who have engaged in prostitution and related offenses; and

Whereas, the resources of the Court, the State Attorney, the Office of Regional Counsel, the Office of the Public Defender, and the not-for-profit organization providing the specialized services at no cost to the participants of TYLA are best utilized through a specialized docket; and

Whereas, in order to ensure that all those who would be eligible for the TYLA program are aware of it and given an adequate understanding of what is involved and the effect on the subject criminal charge; and

Whereas, it is necessary to amend Administrative Order 2018–16.3; and

Now Therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Chief Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida, and in accordance with Article V, section 7, Florida Constitution, Rule 2.215, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, and section 43.26, Florida Statutes it is ordered and adjudged:

1. All prostitution charges, as well as all charges on the same law enforcement report(s)/affidavit(s) (with the exception of those defendants who are charged with soliciting a prostitute) shall be arraigned during the TYLA docket.
2. In Sarasota County, the TYLA docket will be heard before Judge Andrea McHugh in Courtroom 7A of the Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, Florida. Law enforcement, the Clerk, and the jail staff assigning court dates shall assign the foregoing court dates. Future TYLA court dates will be made available on the 12th Circuit website under Judge McHugh's calendar, or may be obtained by contacting the Judicial Assistant.
3. In Manatee County, the TYLA docket will be heard before Judge Susan Maulucci at the Manatee Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida. Law enforcement, the Clerk, and jail staff assigning court dates shall choose the next available date from the TYLA Court Schedule provided by the Judicial Assistant for the corresponding year. Court dates shall be assigned no less than one week before the next TYLA Court date. Special mid-month TYLA court dates are available by calling the Judicial Assistant.
4. All non-prostitution charges involving a defendant who would be appropriate for TYLA may, by agreement between defense counsel and the State Attorney's Office, and after meeting eligibility requirements of the TYLA case coordinator, transfer to the TYLA docket by contacting Judge McHugh's Judicial Assistant for Sarasota County cases, or Judge Maulucci’s Judicial Assistant for Manatee County cases, and scheduling a hearing on a TYLA docket.
5. All defendants who agree to participate in TYLA will have his/her case transferred to the TYLA docket for the ultimate disposition. An order of transfer of the case shall be entered in those cases.
6. Administrative Order 2018–16.3 is hereby rescinded.
7. This order is effective immediately.

Done and ordered in chambers at Sarasota County, Florida, this 18^th day of May, 2021.

Kimberly C. Bonner, Chief Judge
Twelfth Judicial Circuit