AO 2022-016(B)

IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA

Administrative Order No.

2022-016

IN RE:AO 2022-016(B) GENERAL ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES No, 2022-16 JANUARY 1, 2023- JUNE 30, 2023 (Amended December 22, 2022

IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA GENERAL ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES No, 2022-16 JANUARY 1, 2023- JUNE 30, 2023

 (AMENDED ON DECEMBER 22, 2022)

 WHEREAS, Florida Rules of General Practice and 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 2.21S(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 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 Mark E. Feagle2

One half of all civil cases and forfeiture cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, Judge Koberlein

 

One half of all civil cases and forfeiture cases

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, Judge Olin

Criminal Judge Melissa G. Olin3

 

Judge Leandra G. Johnson

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 Olin

 

 

Family Judge Wesley R. Douglas1 Domestic relations, injunctions for protection and DOR cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters L-Z; Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Koberlein then Judge Feagle

  Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr. Domestic relations, injunctions for protection and DOR cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters A-K

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

  Judge Melissa G. Olin3 Probate and guardianship

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas then Judge Koberlein

  Judge Leandra G. Johnson Delinquency; TIPP and truancy; and dependency

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas then Judge Koberlein

Dixie County
Civil Acting Circuit Judge Jennifer J. Johnson All civil cases

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

Criminal Acting Circuit Judge Jennifer J. Johnson All felony cases

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

Family Judge Mark Feagle2

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge Jennifer J. Johnson

Domestic relations; DOR cases; and DV injunctions for protection

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

 

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

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

Hamilton County
Civil Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr All civil cases

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

Criminal Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr All felony cases

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

Family Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr Domestic relations: injunctions for protection if companion to a domestic relations case assi1.med to Judge Koberlein; DOR

 

 

    cases: and probate and guardianship **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Browning
Acting Circuit Judge Injunctions for protection
Darren K. Jackson  
Judge Mark E. Juvenile dependency
Feagle2  
Acting Circuit Judge Juvenile delinquency
E. Bailey Browning4  
Judge Wesley R. Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders
Douglas  
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. Olin 3 All civil and felony cases

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

Family Judge Melissa G. Olin 3

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

E. Bailey Browning4

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. Final All civil cases

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

Criminal Judge David W. Final

 

 

 

Judge Mark E. Feagle2

Felony cases (Division A) cases in which the defendant’s last name begins with the letters A-K

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Jennifer K. Griffin

 

Felony cases (Division B) cases in which the defendant’s last name begins with the letters L-Z

 

 

    **Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Griffin
Family Judge David W. Fina5 Injunctions for Protection and domestic relations cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters A-K;

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Jennifer K Griffin

  Judge Wesley R. Douglas 1 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 Fina, then Judge Griffin

  Judge David W. Fina5 Probate and guardianship
  Acting Circuit Judge Jennifer K. Griffin DOR cases; juvenile delinquency; dependency; truancy; and Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders

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

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; Marchman and Baker Acts; Risk Protection Orders; juvenile dependency; and probate and guardianship

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

 

Juvenile delinquency; truancy; and injunctions for protection.

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

Standing orders of recusal:

1 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Wesley Douglas pursuant to the above, and in which the Douglas & Douglas law firm or the law firm of Thomas T. Demas represents a party, or Southern Owners Insurance Company or Auto-Owners Insurance is 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 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.

 

 

 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 Consent to or Notice of and Consent to 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 Rules of General Practice and 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 Circuit that will provide prompt disposition of cases and efficiently administer the courts.

COUNTY COURT

Columbia County Judge Sara J.

Carter

First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

**County criminal disqualifications and recusals to Judge Leandra G. Johnson County civil disqualifications and

recusals will be assigned to the other county judges on a rotating basis

Dixie

County

Judge Jennifer J. Johnson First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

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

Hamilton Judge Sara Carter First appearance
County    
  Judge Jennifer County civil; and small claims
  Johnson  
  Judge Mark Feagle Misdemeanor
Lafayette County Judge Darren K.

Jackson

First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

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

Madison County Judge E. Bailey Browning2 First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin

Suwannee County Judge Jennifer K.

Griffin

First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

**Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina

Taylor

County

Judge Bill Blue First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

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

Standing orders of recusal:

1 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Sara Carter pursuant to the above, and in which the law firms of Douglas & Douglas, Darby, Peele & Greene or Seifert Law Firm, P.A. represent a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for her recusals as outlined above.

2 Cases that would be assigned to Judge E. Bailey 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.

 

 General Assignment Order                                                               Page?                                                                               January I, 2023 June 30, 2023

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 OFI1ICER, 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 m all counties
Christina Seifert Civil Traffic Hearing

Officer

Columbia   &  Hamilton   County                   civil traffic infraction hearings
Samuel Perrone General Magistrate Mortgage foreclosure; probate and Guardianship;

 

 

and prose 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 calendar ed 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                                                           day of 2022.

 

 

MARK E. FEAGLE   Chief Judge

 

Original: Copies:

Columbia County Clerk of Court All Judges

All JA’s

Third Circuit Clerks of Court Court Administration

State Attorney’s Office Public Defender’s Office Regional Conflict Counsel DCF

Partnership for Families

GAL

 

Digitally signed by Lesli Proveaux

Date: 2022.12.22

11:02:36 -05’00’

Mark E. Feagle, Chief Judge
Columbia County Clerk of Court All Judges
All JA’s
Third Circuit Clerks of Court Court Administration
State Attorney’s Office Public Defender’s Office Regional Conflict Counsel DCF
Partnership for Families
GAL