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

Administrative Order No: 2024–18.1

In Re:

Establishment of Division “R”
and Assignment of Cases Brought
Pursuant to the Jimmy Ryce Act

This Administrative Order applies to all cases brought pursuant to Part V of Chapter 394 of the Florida Statutes, specifically sections 394.910-394.932 of the Florida Statutes, entitled “Involuntary Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators.” These statutes, more commonly known as the “Jimmy Ryce Act,” established an involuntary civil commitment procedure for the long-term care and treatment of sexually violent predators.

Pursuant to Rule 2.215, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.215, it is necessary for the proper administration of justice to establish a new division to which “Jimmy Ryce Act” civil commitment cases shall be assigned.

By the power vested in the Chief Judge under Article V, section 2(d) of the Florida Constitution, section 43.26, Florida Statutes, and Rule 2.215 of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, it is hereby Ordered and Adjudged:

  1. Each Clerk of the Court in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit shall create a Division “R” for “Jimmy Ryce Act” cases.
  2. All open, reopened, and pending “Jimmy Ryce Act” cases shall be transferred from the assigned circuit civil division to Division “R”.
  3. All newly filed “Jimmy Ryce Act” cases shall be assigned to Division “R”.
  4. This Administrative Order does not apply to civil lawsuits or petitions for extraordinary writs unrelated to their involuntary civil commitment proceeding that are filed by Petitioners who reside at the Florida Civil Commitment Center. Those actions shall continue to be assigned to the appropriate civil division.
  5. All Division “R” cases shall be assigned to the Chief Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, unless otherwise indicated in future Judicial Assignment Administrative Orders.
  6. This Administrative Order is effective immediately, although all Clerks of Court are given until November 1, 2024, to fully implement it.

Done and ordered in Chambers in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida, this 28th day of August, 2024.

Diana L. Moreland
Chief Judge

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