The following information is provided for Broward criminal practitioners, as there are no telephonic dockets for Monday. Civil and juvenile have their own procedures, so check with each assigned judge in those divisions.
If you have a criminal case, private attorneys and clients will not be admitted to the courthouse. A PA or defendant with a case on the docket can be assured their cases will be re-noticed with no input from the lawyer. If, however, a lawyer wants to be heard, or believes he/she has an existing or new case with an in-custody client that can reasonably expect release or a bond reduction, lawyers are urged to contact the assigned ASA to try for an agreed order. Judges are available for consideration of agreed orders, which can be emailed, and in those cases where agreement can’t be reached, attorneys can call the JA and ask to be heard telephonically with all parties for a ruling. Filed waivers of appearance may be necessary for some telephonic hearings, as clients have a right to be present, but that’s another of many issues still being addressed. Lastly, individual judges may decide to call attorneys tomorrow or throughout the week if they have specific questions or concerns with previously set or add-on hearings, so be prepared to pick up the phone if the 831 extension pops up.
Patience is a priority. There are a ton of moving parts, and more set procedures will be arrived at as the stakeholders continue to gather in the next day or two for further discussions and for agreement on use of the available technological tools that can possibly speed up the process. Things may change as early as Tuesday, so please check back in tomorrow for an update as it becomes available …
STAY TUNED AND STAY HEALTHY ...