GAO 2024-027

IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA

Administrative Order No.

GAO 2024-027

IN RE:GAO 2024-027 GENERAL ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES July 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

In The Third Judicial Circuit of Florida

 General Assignment Of Judges No.  2024- 027

July 1- December 31, 2024

 

            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 2.215(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 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 Melissa G. Olin1

 

Judge Mark E. Feagle2

One half of all civil cases and forfeiture cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Douglas

 

One half of all civil cases and forfeiture cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, Judge Douglas

Criminal Judge Melissa G. Olin1

 

 

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. Douglas3

 

 

 

 

Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr.4

 

 

 

 

Judge Mark E. Feagle 2

 

 

Judge Leandra G. Johnson

 

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

 

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

 

Probate and guardianship

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas then Judge Koberlein

 

Delinquency; TIPP and truancy; and dependency

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Koberlein

Dixie County
Civil Judge Mark E. Feagle 2

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Jennifer J. Johnson

Civil foreclosures, complex cases pursuant to Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.201, Eminent Domain and inmate civil cases.

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jennifer Johnson, then Judge Blue

 

All remaining civil cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Feagle

Criminal Judge Mark Feagle 2

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Jennifer J. Johnson

All felony motions, pretrials and trials

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jennifer Johnson, then Judge Fina

 

All felony arraignments and violations of probation

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Fina

Family Judge Mark Feagle2

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Jennifer J. Johnson

 

 

Domestic relations and DOR cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jennifer Johnson, then Judge Blue

 

Injunctions for protection, 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 4 All civil cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, then Judge Tyndal

Criminal Judge Melissa G. Olin 1 All felony cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Tyndal then Judge Koberlein

Family Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr4

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Jamie Tyndal 5

Domestic relations and DOR cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, then Judge Tyndal

Probate and guardianship, injunctions for protection; Juvenile delinquency; dependency; truancy/TIPP, Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, then Judge Koberlein

Lafayette County
Civil

 

Judge David W. Fina 6

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Darren K. Jackson

Inmate civil cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jackson, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

 

All remaining civil cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

Criminal Judge David W. Fina 6 All felony cases.

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jackson, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

Family Judge David W. Fina 6

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Darren K. Jackson

DOR cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jackson, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

 

Domestic relations; 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 Wesley R. Douglas 3 All civil and felony cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Browning, then Judge Parker

Family Judge Wesley R. Douglas 3

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

E. Bailey Browning 7

Domestic relations and DOR cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Browning, then Judge Parker

 

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

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Parker

Suwannee County
Civil Judge David W. Fina 6 All civil cases

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Griffin, then Judge Feagle

Criminal Judge David W. Fina 6

 

 

 

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 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. Fina 6

 

 

 

 

Judge Frederick L. Koberlein 4

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Jennifer K. Griffin

 

 

 

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

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Koberlein, then Judge Griffin

 

Injunctions for Protection and domestic relations cases in which petitioner’s last name begins with the letters L-Z;

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge

Griffin

 

Probate and guardianship; DOR cases; juvenile delinquency; juvenile dependency; truancy; and Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Koberlein

Taylor County
Civil Judge Greg S. Parker

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge Bill Blue 8

All civil except ejectment cases.

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

 

Ejectment cases.

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

Criminal Judge Greg S. Parker

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge Bill Blue 8

All felony motions, pretrials and trials

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

 

All felony arraignments and violations of probation

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

Family Judge Greg S. Parker

 

 

 

Acting Circuit Judge

Bill Blue 8

Domestic relations; DOR cases; juvenile dependency; and probate and guardianship

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

 

Marchman and Baker Acts; Risk Protection Orders; Juvenile delinquency; truancy; and injunctions for protection.

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker, then Judge Jennifer Johnson

Standing orders of recusal:1 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Melissa Olin pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Darby, Peele & Greene 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 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.

3 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Wesley Douglas pursuant to the above, and in which the Douglas & Douglas law firm, The Law Office of Duane E. Thomas,  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.

Cases that would be assigned to Judge Frederick L. Koberlein, Jr.  pursuant to the above, and in which Andrew J. Decker, IV,  represent a party, shall automatically be assigned by the clerk to the judge responsible for his recusals as outlined above.

5  Cases that would be assigned to Judge Jaime Tyndal pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Rickerson Legal, P.A represent 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 David W. Fina pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Cole, Scott & Kissane, Wicker Smith Law Firm,  or The Fina Law Firm 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 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.

8 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Bill Blue pursuant to the above, and in which Angela Ball, Esq., 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 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. Carter1 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 County Judge Jamie Tyndal 2 First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

Disqualifications and recusals, to Judge Olin, then to Judge Koberlein

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 Browning 3 First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Tyndal, then Judge Douglas

Suwannee County Judge Jennifer K. Griffin First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Tyndal

Taylor County Judge Bill Blue 4 First appearance; misdemeanor; traffic; county civil; and small claims

Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker, then to Judge Jennifer Johnson

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 or Darby, Peele & Greene 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 Jaime Tyndal pursuant to the above, and in which the law firm of Rickerson Legal, P.A 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 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.

4 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Bill Blue pursuant to the above, and in which Angela Ball, Esq., 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
Thomas J. Kennon

 

Civil Traffic Hearing Officer Columbia County civil traffic infraction hearings
Christina N. Seifert General Magistrate Mortgage foreclosure; probate and guardianship, and pro se domestic relations cases as specifically assigned

 

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                     day of  June 2024.

 

                                                                       

MELISSA G. OLIN, Chief Judge

 

 

Original:         Columbia County Clerk of Court

Copies:            All Judges

 

All JA’s

Third Circuit Clerks of Court

Third Circuit Staff

State Attorney’s Office

Public Defender’s Office

Regional Conflict Counsel

DCF

Partnership for Families

GAL

 

Melissa Olin, Chief Judge
Columbia County Clerk of Court
All Judges
All JA’s
Third Circuit Clerks of Court
Third Circuit Staff
State Attorney’s Office
Public Defender’s Office
Regional Conflict Counsel
DCF
Partnership for Families
GAL