The deaths of Circuit Judge Glant and Bradford County Court Judge Hobbs created two judicial vacancies in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. These vacancies have strained our ability to promptly and efficiently handle some dockets and clerical duties.
On October 18, 2013, Governor Scott appointed local attorney Monica Brasington to the circuit court bench, filling Judge Glant's spot. Until Judge-Elect Brasington begins on December 16, 2013, Judge Ferrero (Judicial Assistant - Raina Feagle) will continue to preside over Alachua Felony Division I, Felony Adult Drug Court and Division V (Felony Forensics).
Judge Pena (Judicial Assistant - Tammy Bennett) is covering both Alachua County Court Civil Divisions. Judge Ferrero’s office continues to handle order signing for Alachua County Court Division V. Judge Pena's office handles scheduling hearings for both Alachua County Court Civil Divisions.
On December 2, 2013, Governor Scott appointed R.B. (Richard) Davis, Jr., to the Bradford County Court, filling Judge Hobbs' spot. We anticipate him taking the bench mid-December. In the interim, the Court will be arranging coverage for all court events. Please note that scheduling changes have been made to the County Court Master Calendar for the months of September through November in order to assist with planning for coverage. If you have any questions about your individual case, or cases in Bradford County Court, please contact Diane Moore, Judicial Assistant. Her contact information is as follows:
In addition to these vacancies, we are undergoing a major HVAC renovation in the Alachua County Civil Justice Center. This four-phase project requires judges to move while their office space is being renovated. As a result, it may take a few days for phone lines to be properly routed and computers to be moved and reconnected.
Hopefully, this explains why recently you may have received delayed responses to your calls and e-mails from Eighth Judicial Circuit staff. I assure you we are working hard to promptly and properly respond to your requests for assistance. I ask for your continued patience and understanding during these next few months as our renovation completes, the positions are filled, and the judges adjust to their new assignments.
Thank you,
Robert E. Roundtree, Chief Judge
Electronic filing through the Florida Courts ePortal is mandatory for attorneys in the civil, probate, small claims, and family law divisions. Electronic filing for the criminal, criminal traffic, and juvenile divisions is mandatory effective October 1, 2013. Please refer to Administrative Order 1.20 for more information on E-Filing in the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
Proposed orders, proposed judgments, and other documents to be entered by the Court shall be submitted to the Court pursuant to that division's procedures. They are not to be e-filed through the ePortal, or mailed to the Clerks of Court.
See the Florida State Court's website for more information, the Alachua Clerk of Court's eFiling page, and the Florida Bar's website.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the ADA Coordinator at (352) 337-6237, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance. If you are hearing or voice impaired, please call 711.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing and require an ASL interpreter or an assisted listening device to participate in a proceeding, please contact Court Interpreting at interpreter@circuit8.org
