IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA
Administrative Order No.
GAO 2024-037(A)
IN RE:GENERAL ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES NO. 2024- 037(A) NOVEMBER 4, 2024 – JANUARY 6, 2025
In The Third Judicial Circuit of Florida
General Assignment Of Judges No. 2024- 037(A)
November 4, 2024 – January 6, 2025
(amended only as to expiration date)
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 Fred Koberlein, Jr. 2
Acting Circuit Judge Sara Carter 3
|
Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators
(a/k/a Jimmy Ryce Act)
One half of all Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Carter, then Judge Douglas
One half of all Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Koberlein, then Judge Douglas |
||
| Criminal | Judge Melissa G. Olin1
Judge Leandra G. Johnson |
Division A: All Circuit Criminal (felony) cases in which defendant’s last name begins with the letters A-K
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Leandra Johnson then Judge Hill
Division B: All Circuit Criminal (felony) cases in which defendant’s last name begins with the letters L-Z Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin, then Judge Hill
|
||
| Family | Judge Wesley R. Douglas4
Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr.2
Acting Circuit Judge Garrett Hill
Judge Melissa Olin1
Judge Leandra G. Johnson
Acting Circuit Judge Sara Carter3
|
Domestic Relations and DOR 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 Koberlein then Judge Carter
Domestic Relations and DOR 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 Koberlein Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Carter
Injunctions for Protection Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Koberlein then Judge Douglas
Juvenile Delinquency Disqualifications and recusals to Judge L. Johnson then Judge Olin
Probate and Guardianship Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas then Judge Koberlein
Juvenile Dependency, TIPP and Truancy Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Koberlein
Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas then Judge Hill |
||
| Dixie County | ||||
| Civil | Judge Melissa G. Olin 1
Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr. 2
Acting Circuit Judge Jennifer J. Johnson |
Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators
(a/k/a Jimmy Ryce Act)
Inmate Circuit Civil cases. Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jennifer Johnson, then Judge Blue
All remaining Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Koberlein, then Judge Blue |
||
| Criminal | Judge Mark E. Feagle 5
Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr. 2
|
All Circuit Criminal (felony) death penalty cases.
All other Circuit Criminal (felony) cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jennifer Johnson, then Judge Blue |
||
| Family | Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr.2
Acting Circuit Judge Jennifer J. Johnson
|
Domestic Relations and DOR cases; Injunctions for Protection if companion to a domestic relations case assigned to Judge Koberlein and
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 Koberlein, then Judge Blue |
||
| Hamilton County | ||||
| Civil | Judge Melissa G. Olin1
Judge David W. Fina |
Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators
(a/k/a Jimmy Ryce Act)
All Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Tyndal, then Judge Browning |
||
| Criminal | Judge Melissa G. Olin 1
Acting Circuit Judge Jamie Tyndal 6 |
All Circuit Criminal (felony) death penalty and post-conviction cases.
All other Circuit Criminal (felony) cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina then Judge Browning |
||
| Family | Judge David W. Fina
Acting Circuit Judge Jamie Tyndal 6 |
Domestic Relations and DOR; Injunctions for Protection if companion to a domestic relations case assigned to Judge Fina
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Tyndal, then Judge Browning
Probate and Guardianship, Injunctions for Protection; Juvenile Delinquency; Dependency; Truancy/TIPP, Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Browning |
||
| Lafayette County | ||||
| Civil
|
Judge Melissa G. Olin 1
Judge Wesley R. Douglas 4
Acting Circuit Judge Darren K. Jackson |
Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators
(a/k/a Jimmy Ryce Act)
Inmate Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jackson, then Judge Jennifer Johnson
All remaining Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Jennifer Johnson
|
||
| Criminal | Judge Wesley R. Douglas 4 | All Circuit Criminal (felony) cases.
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Jackson, then Judge Jennifer Johnson |
||
| Family | Acting Circuit Judge
Darren K. Jackson |
Domestic Relations; Injunctions for Protection; Juvenile Delinquency; Dependency; DOR; Marchman and Baker Acts; Risk Protection Orders; and Probate and Guardianship
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then to Judge Jennifer Johnson |
||
| Madison County | ||||
| Civil | Judge Melissa G. Olin 1
Judge Mark Feagle 5
Acting Circuit Judge E. Bailey Browning, III 7 |
Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators
(a/k/a Jimmy Ryce Act)
All inmate Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Browning, then to Judge Tyndal
All remaining Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then to Judge Tyndal |
||
| Criminal | Judge Mark Feagle 5 | All Circuit Criminal (felony) cases
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Browning, then Judge Tyndal |
||
| Family | Judge Mark Feagle 5
Acting Circuit Judge E. Bailey Browning 7 |
Domestic relations and DOR cases; and Injunctions for Protection if companion to a domestic relations case assigned to Judge Feagle
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Browning, then Judge Tyndal
Injunctions for protection; Juvenile Delinquency; Dependency; Risk Protection Orders; Probate and Guardianship; and Marchman and Baker Acts Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Tyndal |
||
| Suwannee County | ||||
| Civil | Judge Melissa G. Olin 1
Judge David W. Fina
Judge Mark E. Feagle 5 |
Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators
(a/k/a Jimmy Ryce Act)
One-half of all Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Griffin
One-half of all Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Griffin |
||
| Criminal | Judge David W. Fina
Judge Mark E. Feagle 5
|
Division A: Circuit Criminal (felony) cases in which the defendant’s last name begins with the letters A-K
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Olin
Division B: Circuit Criminal (felony) cases in which the defendant’s last name begins with the letters L-Z Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Olin |
||
| Family | Judge David W. Fina
Judge Melissa G. Olin 1
Acting Circuit Judge Jennifer K. Griffin
|
Domestic Relations and DOR 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 Olin, then Judge Griffin
Domestic relations and DOR 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 Olin; and Juvenile Dependency Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Griffin
Probate and Guardianship; Injunction For Protection cases; Juvenile Delinquency; Truancy; and Marchman and Baker Acts; and Risk Protection Orders Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Feagle |
||
| Taylor County | ||||
| Civil | Judge Melissa G. Olin 1
Judge Greg S. Parker
Judge Wesley R. Douglas 4 |
Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators
(a/k/a Jimmy Ryce Act)
One-half of all Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then Judge Blue
One-half of all Circuit Civil cases Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker, then Judge Blue |
||
| Criminal | Judge Greg S. Parker
|
All Circuit Criminal (felony) cases
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Douglas |
||
| Family | Judge Wesley R. Douglas 4
Judge Greg Parker
Acting Circuit Judge Bill Blue 8 |
Domestic relations; DOR cases; and Probate and Guardianship
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker then Judge Blue
Juvenile Dependency Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Blue, then Judge Douglas
Marchman and Baker Acts; Risk Protection Orders; Juvenile Delinquency; and Injunctions for Protection. Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Parker, then Judge Douglas |
||
| 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 Frederick L. Koberlein, Jr. pursuant to the above, and in which Andrew J. Decker, IV, 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 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. 4 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, or the law firm of Thomas T. Demas represents 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 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. 6 Cases that would be assigned to Judge Jamie 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. 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
Judge Garrett Hill |
First Appearance; County Civil and Small Claims
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Hill and then Judge Koberlein.
First Appearance, County Criminal (misdemeanor) and traffic Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Carter and then Judge Leandra Johnson |
| Dixie County | Judge Jennifer J. Johnson | First Appearance; County Criminal (misdemeanor); Traffic County Civil; and Small Claims
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Koberlein, then Judge Blue |
| Hamilton County | Judge Jamie Tyndal 2 | First Appearance; County Criminal (misdemeanor); Traffic County Civil; and Small Claims
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then to Judge Browning |
| Lafayette County | Judge Darren K. Jackson | First Appearance; County Criminal (misdemeanor); Traffic County Civil; and Small Claims
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Douglas, then to Judge Griffin |
| Madison County | Judge E. Bailey Browning 3 | First Appearance; County Criminal (misdemeanor); Traffic County Civil; and Small Claims
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Feagle, then Judge Tyndal |
| Suwannee County | Judge Jennifer K. Griffin | First Appearance; County Criminal (misdemeanor); Traffic County Civil; and Small Claims
Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Fina, then Judge Jackson |
| Taylor County | Judge Bill Blue 4 | First Appearance; County Criminal (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 Jamie 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 31st day of December 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
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
