AO 2019-018

Inactive

IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA

Administrative Order No.

2019-018

IN RE:GENERAL ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES - JULY 1, 2019 - DECEMBER 31, 2019

WHEREAS, Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215(b) vests in the Chief Judge the authority and responsibility to implement an administrative plan that will effect the prompt disposition of cases, including the assignment of judges, court officers, and other court personnel;

WHEREAS, rule 2.215(b)(3) also provides that the Chief Judge shall consider the available resources and utilize them in a manner that ensures the efficient and proper administration of all courts within this circuit;

WHEREAS, rule 2.215(b)(4) permits the Chief Judge to assign any judge to temporary service for which the judge is qualified in any court within this circuit;

It is therefore ORDERED:

The judicial assignments for the Third Judicial Circuit for the period of July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019, are as follows, with the exception of any standing assignment orders entered due to conflicts or recusals, and any special appointments made due to extenuating or exigent circumstances by the Chief Judge that are not in accordance with the below assignments:

Circuit Court

Columbia County
Civil Judge Wesley R. Douglas1

 

Judge Paul S. Bryan2

 

 

 

Judge Mark Feagle3

One third of all civil cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Bryan, then Judge Feagle

 

One third of all civil cases and forfeiture cases.  **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Douglas

 

One third of all civil cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Bryan

Criminal Judge Paul Bryan2

 

 

 

Judge Leandra G. Johnson4

Division A: All felony cases in which defendant’s last name begins with the letters A-K

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Leandra Johnson

 

Division B: All felony cases in which defendant’s last name begins with the letters L-Z

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Bryan

Family Judge Wesley R. Douglas1

 

 

 

 

 

Judge Paul Bryan2

 

 

 

Judge Mark E. Feagle3

 

 

 

 

 

Judge Melissa G. Olin5

 

 

 

 

Judge Leandra G. Johnson4

Domestic relations and DOR cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters H-O; injunctions for protection if companion to a domestic relations case assigned to Judge Douglas; Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Olin, then Judge Bryan.

 

Injunctions for protection.  **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge alphabetically assigned other family law cases, then Judge Douglas, then Judge Feagle, then Judge Olin.

 

Domestic relations and DOR cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters A-G; injunctions for protection if companion to a domestic relations case assigned to Judge Feagle.  **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, then Judge Douglas, then Judge Bryan

 

Domestic relations and DOR cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters P-Z; probate and guardianship.  **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Feagle, then Judge Bryan.

 

Delinquency; TIPP and truancy; and dependency

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Bryan, then Judge Douglas

Dixie County
Civil Acting Circuit Judge

Jennifer J. Johnson6

All civil cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Blue

Criminal Judge David W. Fina All felony cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jennifer Johnson, then Judge Blue

Family Judge David W. Fina

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Jennifer J. Johnson6

Risk Protection Orders

 

Domestic relations; DOR cases; injunctions for protection; juvenile delinquency; dependency; truancy; Marchman and Baker Acts; and probate and guardianship

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Blue

Hamilton County
Civil Judge Paul S. Bryan2 All civil cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, then Judge Browning

Criminal Judge Melissa G. Olin5 All felony cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Bryan, then Judge Browning

 

 

Family Judge Paul S. Bryan2

 

 

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Sonny Scaff

Domestic relations; injunctions for protection if companion to a domestic relations case assigned to Judge Bryan; DOR cases; and probate and guardianship

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, then Judge Browning

 

Injunctions for protection; juvenile delinquency; dependency; Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Bryan, then Judge Olin, then Judge Browning

Lafayette County
Civil and Criminal Acting Circuit Judge

Darren K. Jackson

All civil and felony cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

Family Acting Circuit Judge

Darren K. Jackson

Domestic relations; DOR cases; injunctions for protection; juvenile delinquency; dependency; Marchman and Baker Acts; Risk Protection Orders and probate and guardianship

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then to Judge Jennifer Johnson

Madison County
Civil and Criminal Judge Melissa G. Olin5 All civil and felony cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Browning, then Judge Parker

Family Judge Melissa G. Olin5

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

E. Bailey Browning7

Domestic relations; DOR cases; and injunctions for protection

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Browning, then Judge Parker

 

Juvenile delinquency; dependency; Risk Protection Orders; probate and guardianship; and Marchman and Baker Acts

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, then Judge Parker

Suwannee County
Civil Judge David W. Fina All civil cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Williams, then Judge Feagle

Criminal Judge Mark E. Feagle3

 

 

 

 

Judge David W. Fina

 

Division A: All cases in which defendant’s last name begins with the letters A-K

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Williams

 

Division B: All cases in which defendant’s last name begins with the letters L-Z

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Williams

Family Judge Mark E. Feagle3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judge Wesley R. Douglas1

 

 

 

 

Judge David W. Fina

 

Acting Circuit Judge

William F. Williams

 

Domestic relations cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters A-K; injunctions for protection if companion to a domestic relations case assigned to Judge Feagle

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Williams

 

Domestic relations cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters L-Z; and injunctions for protection if companion to a domestic relations case assigned to Judge Douglas; **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Williams

 

Probate and guardianship

 

DOR cases; injunctions for protection; juvenile delinquency; dependency; truancy; and Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders.

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Feagle

Taylor County
Civil and Criminal Judge Greg S. Parker All civil and felony cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Jackson

Family Judge Greg S. Parker

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Bill Blue

Domestic relations; DOR cases; injunctions for protection; Marchman and Baker Acts; Risk Protection Orders; and probate and guardianship **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Jackson

Juvenile delinquency; truancy; and dependency

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker, then Judge Jackson

Standing orders of recusal:1  Cases that would be assigned to Judge Douglas pursuant to the above, and in which the Douglas and Carter law firm; or Andrew J. Decker, IV represents a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for his recusals as outlined above.

2  Cases that would be assigned to Judge Bryan pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Joel Foreman; law firm of Foye Walker; law firm of McRae and McNeill; or law firm of Robinson, Kennon, and Kendron represent a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for his recusals as outlined above.

3   Cases that would be assigned to Judge Mark Feagle pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Marlin Feagle represents a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for his recusals as outlined above.

4  Cases that would be assigned to Judge Leandra Johnson pursuant to the above, involving Columbia Bank, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for her recusals as outlined above.

5 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Olin pursuant to the above, and in which the Douglas and Carter law firm represents a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for her recusals as outlined above

6 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Jennifer Johnson pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Robinson, Kennon, and Kendron represent a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for his recusals as outlined above.

7  Cases that would be assigned to Judge Browning pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Davis Schnitker, Reeves and Browning, PA, represent a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for his recusals as outlined above.

 

Unified Family Court

Family court assignments include unified family court (Division “UFC”) and all family law matters within Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.010.  Unified family court matters, which are governed by Administrative Order 2015-002, shall take precedence over other assignments contained in this plan.

Cases involving Petitions for Judicial Waiver of Parental Notice of Termination of Pregnancy in the Third Judicial Circuit shall be immediately referred to the Chief Judge, who may either handle the matter or assign the case to the family division judges on a rotating basis.

In addition, all county court judges, when acting as circuit judges of the Third Judicial Circuit, are designated as juvenile court judges for the purpose of chapters 39 and 985, Florida Statutes, and may conduct detention or shelter hearings as appropriate.  A review pursuant to section 39.402(12), Florida Statutes, shall not be required when the shelter hearing was conducted by a juvenile court judge.

 

Temporary Assignment of County Court Judges as Circuit Judges

Each county court judge in the Third Judicial Circuit is hereby temporarily appointed circuit judge for the Third Judicial Circuit, pursuant to section 26.57, Florida Statutes, and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215(b)(4).  They are hereby vested with the respective powers and prerogatives conferred by the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida as a circuit judge on a temporary basis to hear, conduct, and determine all matters consistent with section 26.012, Florida Statutes, which are presented to them. Additionally, the county court judges are temporarily appointed as circuit court judges to adjudicate any issue pending in any circuit court case in the Third Judicial Circuit that will provide prompt disposition of cases and efficiently administer the courts.

County Court

Columbia County Judge Tom Coleman1 Misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims **Disqualifications, recusals, and appeals to Judge Bryan
Dixie County Judge Jennifer J. Johnson2 Misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Fina; Appeals to Judge Fina

Hamilton County Judge Sonny Scaff Misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

**Disqualifications and recusals, to Judge Olin, then to Judge Browning; Appeals to Judge Olin. 

Lafayette County Judge Darren K. Jackson Misdemeanor; traffic, county civil; and small claims

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jennifer Johnson, then Judge Fina; Appeals to Judge Fina

Madison County Judge E. Bailey Browning3 Misdemeanor; traffic, county civil; and small claims

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Scaff, then Judge Olin; Appeals to Judge Olin

 

Suwannee County Judge William F. Williams Misdemeanor; traffic, county civil; and small claims

**Disqualifications, recusals, and appeals to Judge Fina, then Judge Feagle

Taylor County Judge Bill Blue Misdemeanor; traffic, county civil; and small claims

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker, then to Judge Jackson; Appeals to Judge Parker

Standing orders of recusal:

1  Cases that would be assigned to Judge Coleman pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Douglas & Carter, Seifert Law Firm, Brad McRae, Esq. or Law Office of Lisa Schlitzkus represent a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for his recusals as outlined above.

2  Cases that would be assigned to Judge Jennifer Johnson pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Robinson, Kennon, and Kendron represent a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for her recusals as outlined above.

3  Cases that would be assigned to Judge Browning pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Davis Schnitker, Reeves and Browning, PA, represent a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for his recusals as outlined above.

 

Supplemental assignment Succession

 

If all steps for disqualification or recusal within a specific county and division are exhausted and a case still needs to be reassigned, all circuit cases will be assigned utilizing an alphabetical rotation of all judges, both circuit and county.   County court cases will be assigned using an alphabetical rotation of county judges.   Court Administration will be responsible for determining these supplemental assignments.  If necessary or appropriate, the case will be assigned by special appointment of the Chief Judge.

 

Judicial Rotations

Upon an election, an appointment, or any other assignment changes, the entire affected case load, including recusals, transfers to an incoming judge.  If there are specific complex cases or cases close to resolution, in the interest of judicial economy and after consultation with the affected judges, the case may remain with the previously assigned judge.

 

Assignment Of County Court Judges

Of The Third Judicial Circuit

To Other Counties Within The Circuit

As provided in this Order (i.e., certain recusals from one county judge to another county judge) and when otherwise assigned by specific order of the Chief Judge, the county court judges of the circuit are hereby appointed to hear, conduct, and determine matters of county court jurisdiction that are presented to them in all counties of the circuit.

 

Temporary Assignment

Of Circuit Judges As County Court Judges

All circuit court judges of the Third Judicial Circuit are temporarily appointed to adjudicate any pending issue in any county court case in the Third Judicial Circuit.

 

Jurisdiction Of

Child Support Hearing Officer, Civil Traffic Infraction

Hearing Officer, And General Magistrate

 

Name of Officer Title Duties and/or Venue
Stephen P. Johnson Child Support Hearing Officer DOR/Title IV-D child support hearings in all counties
Christina Seifert

 

Civil Traffic Hearing Officer Columbia County civil traffic infraction hearings

**Lisa Schlitzkus serves as back-up hearing officer

Jennifer K. Griffin General Magistrate Mortgage foreclosure; probate and guardianship; and pro se domestic relations cases as specifically assigned in all counties

 

 

 

 

Control Of Dockets

The control of the dockets for the various divisions of court shall rest with the presiding judge at the discretion of the Chief Judge.

 

Inmate Review

Each County Jail within the Third Judicial Circuit submits their jail population statistics to Court Administration for monthly review.

 

Regulation And Use Of Courtrooms

 

Management and use of the courtrooms and associated court space in each of the seven counties of the circuit shall be determined by the Chief Judge in consultation with the local county and circuit judges.  Criminal matters will take precedence over civil matters.

 

Procedure For Calendaring Circuit Court Cases

All cases under circuit court jurisdiction shall be calendared before the judge assigned to the division in which the case has been filed. When a rule, statute, or procedure mandates expedited judicial action on a matter and the judge assigned to the division is unavailable, the Chief Judge shall assign a judge to hear the case or cases pursuant to this order.  This judge will be the next available circuit judge or a county judge in the county of jurisdiction.

 

This order replaces all prior orders of General Assignment of Judges.

 

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers in Columbia County, Florida, on this 21st day of June, 2019.

Wesley R. Douglas, Chief Judge