Administrative Order Viewer

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

Administrative Order No.: 2026–02a.12

(amends and supersedes 2026–02.12 to include stalking)

On November 17, 2008, this court entered Administrative Order 2008-22.12, which outlined procedures for weekend and holiday judicial review of petitions for injunctions against violence. Since that time, procedural changes have been made, requiring update of that Administrative Order.

Section 26.20, Florida Statutes, requires a judge to be available on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and after hours on weekdays to hear petitions for temporary injunctions in domestic violence cases. The participation and cooperation of law enforcement agencies and clerks is essential to facilitate judicial review of these petitions and the Court has contacted and collaborated with them to establish these procedures.

In accordance with Article V, §2, Florida Constitution, rule 2.215, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, and §43.26, Florida Statutes, it is therefore Ordered:

This Administrative Order governs procedures for weekends, holidays, and after-hours disposition of petitions for injunctions against violence in Manatee and Sarasota Counties as authorized by Sections 741.30, 784.045, and 784.046 of the Florida Statutes.

The Clerks of Manatee and Sarasota Counties shall provide the Sheriffs of their respective counties with the necessary Florida Supreme Court forms for persons seeking to obtain temporary injunctions against domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, repeat violence, and stalking, during those times the Clerks’ offices are not open to the public and courthouses are closed.

The packets of forms provided by the Clerks to the Sheriffs shall include all pleadings, orders, affidavits, and attachments required by law for judges to review and execute injunctions, enter orders denying injunctions or setting hearings. They shall be organized in a manner that will clearly indicate the type of injunction being sought: Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Dating Violence, Repeat Violence, or Stalking.

The Sheriffs shall make the Clerks’ packets of forms available in areas of public reception for those persons applying for temporary injunctions against violence on weekends and holidays and after hours on weekdays. When an applicant completes a petition, Sheriffs’ personnel shall take custody of the packet and transmit the packet as follows:

1. If the petition is for an Injunction Against Domestic Violence (pursuant to section 741.30, Fla. Stat.), the packet shall be electronically transmitted to the Family Division duty judge for immediate review. Upon entering an order, the duty judge shall electronically return the signed order(s) to the Sheriff’s office to effectuate service of process. Unless the court’s IT network is down and electronic transmittal to the duty judge is not possible, a Petition for an Injunction Against Domestic Violence should not be presented to the weekend/holiday first appearance judge.

2. If the petition is for any other type of injunction against violence (pursuant to sections 784.045 or 784.046, Fla. Stat.), the packet shall be transmitted to the judge conducting First Appearance hearings. Prior to the start of First Appearance hearings on weekends and holidays, the Clerks attending these hearings shall review the packets received from the Sheriff to ensure the required documents are present and in proper order, and shall notify the presiding judge that petitions have been filed and are ready for review. Complete packets of Florida Supreme Court forms and orders for each category of violence injunctions shall be maintained by the Clerks at the sites normally attended by the First Appearance judge.

In accordance with the provisions of sections 784.045 and 784.046, Fla. Stat., upon completion of judicial review and as soon as practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the entry of a temporary injunction, the Clerk shall transmit a copy of the temporary injunction to the Sheriff with jurisdiction over the residence of the Respondent. In those instances where the Court enters an injunction or sets a date for hearing without an injunction, the Clerk shall promptly notify the judge upon whose calendar the case is set that the action has been scheduled.

The Sheriffs shall make available at their areas of public reception, information concerning the availability of domestic violence programs in their respective counties, and information regarding such local resources as may be available to shelter and advise victims of domestic, repeat, sexual or dating violence, or stalking.

Administrative Order 2026-2.12 is superseded by this order, effective immediately.

Done and Ordered in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida on April 6, 2026.

Diana L. Moreland,
Chief Judge

1. DeSoto County uses a duty clerk and duty judge system to address after-hours domestic violence injunctions; there is no change to their current system.