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

Administrative Order No. 2021–16a.2

(Rescinds 2021–16.2)

Re:

Order Allowing Jury Trials
to Resume Effective September 27, 2021

The health, safety, and well-being of courthouse visitors, jurors, court employees, and judicial officers have been a high priority, and we have taken steps to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the courts, its participants, and the general public, while fulfilling the court system’s responsibilities for the administration of justice.

Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in each county within the circuit, on August 25, 2021, Administrative Order 2021-16.2 was entered, suspending all jury trials in all three counties in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.

The Florida Supreme Court has authorized the chief judge of each circuit in Florida, if warranted by local health conditions, to have the discretion to determine how best to utilize available trial court resources and facility space to conduct in-person proceedings.[1]

Our counties are now experiencing fewer COVID-19 cases, and with new case positivity rates declining steadily to levels not seen since early July, 2021,[2] it is appropriate to resume jury trials.

In accordance with Article V, section 7, Florida Constitution, Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.215, section 43.26, Florida Statutes and In re: COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols and Emergency Operational Measures for Florida Appellate and Trial Courts, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC21-17, Amendment 1 (July 29, 2021), in the interest of the health, safety, and well-being of all trial participants and potential jurors summoned to the courthouse, it is hereby ordered and adjudged as follows:

  1. Effective September 27, 2021, jury trials will resume in all three counties in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit
  2. Administrative Order 2021-16.2 is hereby rescinded effective 5:00pm on September 24, 2021.
  3. This Administrative Order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until modified, extended or rescinded by further order of this court.

Done and ordered in Chambers, Sarasota County, Florida, this 20th day of September, 2021.

Charles E. Roberts
Chief Judge

  1. In re: COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols and Emergency Operational Measures for Florida Appellate and Trial Courts , Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC21-17, Amendment 1 (July 29, 2021), section (II)(E)(5).
  2. According to Florida Department of Health statistics, between the week ending August 19, 2021, through the week ending September 16, 2021, the new case positivity rates declined in each county in the Circuit as follows: in Sarasota County by 7.6%; in Manatee County by 6.6%; and in DeSoto County by 3.9%.

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