IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2021- 003

ORDER RESCINDING AO2020-011, ORDER SUSPENDING JURY TRIALS

WHEREAS, the Florida State Court System has proactively addressed the effects on court operations of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); and

WHEREAS, the health, safety and well-being of courthouse visitors, court employees, and judicial officers are a high priority, and we must continue to take steps to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the courts, its participants, and the general public; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to AOSC20-32, its amendments, and the Workgroup report titled Requirements, Benchmarks, and Guidelines Governing the Transition to Limited In-Person Contact (Phase 2), wherein certain requirements were established to protect public health and safety while fulfilling the court system’s responsibilities for the administration of justice; and

WHEREAS, AOSC20-13 initially suspended criminal and civil jury trials during the period of March 16, 2020 through March 27, 2020, and AOSC20-23, as amended several times, ultimately extended suspension of jury trials until 30 days after the chief judge of a judicial circuit has determined the circuit, or a county within the circuit, has transitioned to Phase 2 pursuant to AOSC20-32, 7; and

WHEREAS, all counties within the Third Judicial Circuit have transitioned to Phase 2 pursuant to AOSC20-32, 7, and have successfully remained in Phase 2 for more than 30 days, as required by AOSC20-23, 4,

NOW THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED:

1. Administrative Order 011, Suspending Jury Trials is hereby RESCINDED.

2. Jury trials shall resume in all counties within the Third Judicial Circuit.

3. This Order is effective immediately.

DONE AND ORDERED in Columbia County, Florida, this 24th day of February 2021.