Administrative Order Viewer

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

Administrative Order No.: 2024–16.2

(Rescinds 2020–20.2)

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Administrative Order 2010-20.2 required that certain language be included in all civil summons forms issued by the three Clerk of Courts’ offices in this circuit. Changes in contact information and addition of new legal services require that Administrative Order 2010-20.2 be rescinded and replaced by this Administrative Order.

Many citizens of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit are unable to pay for legal services. When these citizens are faced with legal action, they should be provided information and methods for assistance in finding low-cost or no-cost legal services that may be available to them

It is, accordingly, Ordered as follows:

1. Administrative Order 2010-20.2 is hereby rescinded.
2. Pursuant to Administrative Order 2017-12.2, Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc. remains the sole official legal aid provider for Sarasota and Manatee Counties, as provided in § 29.008(3)(a), Fla. Stat.
3. In order to offer as many options as possible for finding low-cost or no-cost legal services, the Clerks of the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, in and for DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties, Florida are directed to have inscribed on all civil summons forms issued by their offices the following statement:
   1. In and for DeSoto County:

      If you cannot afford an attorney, you may contact Florida Rural Legal Services at (239) 334-4554 (Ft. Myers) or https://www.frls.org. If you do not qualify for free legal assistance or do not know an attorney, you may use an attorney referral service or contact the Florida Bar Referral Service at (800) 342-8011 or https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/.

   2. In and for Manatee County:

      If you cannot afford an attorney, you may contact Legal Aid of Manasota at (941) 747-1628 or https://www.legalaidofmanasota.org or Gulfcoast Legal Services at (941) 746-6151 or https://www.gulfcoastlegal.org. If you do not qualify for free legal assistance or do not know an attorney, you may use an attorney referral service or contact the Florida Bar Referral Service at (800) 342-8011 or https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/.

   3. In and for Sarasota County:

      North Sarasota County (case numbers ending in NC):

      If you cannot afford an attorney, you may contact Legal Aid of Manasota at (941) 366-0038 or https://www.legalaidofmanasota.org or Gulfcoast Legal Services at (800) 230-5920 or https://www.gulfcoastlegal.org. If you do not qualify for free legal assistance or do not know an attorney, you may use an attorney referral service or contact the Florida Bar Referral Service at (800) 342-8011 or https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/.

      South Sarasota County (case numbers ending in SC):

      If you cannot afford an attorney, you may contact Legal Aid of Manasota at (941) 366-0038 or https://www.legalaidofmanasota.org, Gulfcoast Legal Services at (800) 230-5920 or https://www.gulfcoastlegal.org, or United Way of South Sarasota County, Inc. at (941) 484-4811 or https://www.uwssc.org. If you do not qualify for free legal assistance or do not know an attorney, you may use an attorney referral service or contact the Florida Bar Referral Service at (800) 342-8011 or https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/.

4. This order is effective immediately.

Done and ordered in Bradenton, Manatee County, this 1 day of August, 2024.

Diana L. Moreland
Chief Judge