WHEREAS, cases involving Petitions For Involuntary Placement are brought before this court; and

WHEREAS, the interests of the public and of the litigants require a flexible and speedy resolution of such matters; and

WHEREAS, Florida Statutes section 394.467(6)(a)2 (2007) provides, for the appointment of “a general or special magistrate”; and

WHEREAS, Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.490 and Florida Probate Rules 5.095 and 5-697 provide for the appointment of general magistrates; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary for the prompt and efficient administration of justice in this circuit to appoint a general magistrate to hear cases involving mental health and substance abuse petitions involving involuntary placement to assist in the absence of the regularly assigned judge;

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

1. William B. Brannon, Esquire is hereby appointed as General Magistrate, not only for probate cases as assigned in Administrative Order 2004-026, but also to hear and make recommendations Mental Health (Baker and Marchman Act) cases on an as needed basis.
2. This order shall be valid in all seven counties of the Third Judicial Circuit.
3. This order takes effective immediately.

DONE AND ORDERED Lake City, Columbia County, Florida, on this 28th day of July, 2008.