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6 verbatim requirements on remote appearances.
Eighth Judicial Circuit — DIVISION/CIRCUIT-WIDE - Security/Emergency only. Practices change without notice; the court's own published text controls. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from the published source, captured 2026-07-24; whitespace normalised only. No OCR was used. • AO 11.23 (v.1) Page 2 Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19) Emergency Procedures Effective: March 19, 2020 3. If it is not practicable to conduct essential court proceedings with all individuals appearing remotely, those individuals who are unable to appear remotely shall appear in person, unless the appearance is waived by the presiding judge. 4. Essential court proceedings shall include: (a) First Appearances; (b) Bond Hea rings; (c) In-custody Changes of Plea in which the defendant’s release from incarceration is expected; (d) Juvenile Detention Hearings ; (e) Domestic Violence Injunction Hear ings (including repeat, sexual, dating violence and stalking inju nction); (f) Risk Protection Orders; (g) Shelter Hearings ; (h) Dependency Arraignments and Advisory Hearings; (i) Dependency a nd F amily Law matters where the imminent safety of child ren is at issue ; (j) Baker and Marchman Act proceedings (k) Appointment of Emerg ency Temp orary Guardi an; (l) V ulnerable Adult Injunctions; (m) Adult Protective Services proceedings; (n) “Do not resuscitate” proceedings; (o) Seizu re of bodily fluid procee dings; (p) All critical proceedings related to the current public health emergency, such as violation of quara ntine, travel limitations, closing of bu ildings, or curfews ; and (p) other matters determined to be urgent by the presiding judge. 5. In conducti ng these essential court proceedings, all practicable methods to minimize the risk of COVI D-19 exposure shall be employed; including permitting only those persons essential to the pr oceeding to enter the courtroom, cleaning and disinfecti ng of surfaces both be fore and a fter the proceeding, using the hallways or additional courtrooms as waiting areas, and dispersing those present in the courtroom to a safe distance. 6. No proceeding, other than those listed in paragraph 4 above, shall take place unless it can be c onducted remotely , using telephonic or other electroni c means, without any in-person court appearance. • AO 11.25 Page 5 Updated Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19) Emergency Procedures Effective: March 30, 2020 iii. Essential circuit court criminal proceedings in Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union Counties, defined as bond hearings, in-custody Changes of Plea, and other matters which the Court determines to be of an urgent nature, shall be heard in those counties, unless determined otherwise by the assigned judge. iv. Wherever practicable, these proceedings shall be conducted remotely, using t elephonic or oth er elect ronic means, without the nec essity of in- person court appearances. v. If it is not practicable to conduct these proceedings with all necessary individuals appearing remotely, the necessary individuals who are un able to appear remotely shall appear in person, u nless the appearance is waived by the presiding judge. D. Remote Proceedings Any hearing, regardless of type, may take place if it is conducted entirely remotely, using telephonic or other electronic means , with no in-person appearances by parties, attorneys, clerks, court reporters, or any other individuals. 3. Protocols for weekend and holiday First Appearance shall remain unchanged. 4. In conducting any court proceedings, all practicable methods to minimize the risk of COVI D-19 exposure shall be employ ed; including permitting only those persons essential to the pr oceeding to enter the courtroom, cleaning and disinfecti ng of surfaces b oth b efore and a fter the p roceeding, using the hallways or addi tional courtrooms as wa iting areas, and dispersing those present in the court room to a safe distance. • AO 11.28 Page 1 Extending Emergency Procedures Effective: April 13, 2020 https://zoom.us/j/3058843452THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 11.28 EXTENDING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHEREAS, Eighth Circ uit Administrative Order 11.25, REVISED CORO NA V IRUS PANDEMIC (COVID-19) EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, was issued on March 26, 2020; and WHEREAS, Eighth Circuit Administrative Order 11.25 extends through April 17, 2020 ; and WHEREAS, The Florida Su preme Court issued AOSC20 -23 on April 6, 2020 wh ich extended emergency measures for all state courts through May 29, 2020, IT IS TH EREFORE ORDERED that Eighth Circ uit Administrative Order 11.25, REVISED CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC (COVID-19) EMERGENCY PROCEDU RES is hereby extended through May 29, 2020 at 5:00 pm. ORDERED ON this 13 day of April, 2020. James P. Nilon, Chief Judge • AO 11.32 Page 3 Second Revised Corona Virus Pandemic Emergency Procedures Effective: June 1, 2020 2. Modified Phase 1 A. Commencement - Commencing June 1, 2020 , th is circuit shall transition to a modified Phase 1. B. Remote Pr oceedings - All court events which can be effectively conducted remotely, shall proceed by electronic means with no in-person court appearances. C. Non-Essential, Non-Critical Court Proceedings - Any court event which cannot be effectively conducted remotely with no in -person court appearances, shall not proceed unless it is an essential or critical court proceeding as defined below. D. Essential or Critical Court Proceedings - Any co urt event which cannot be effectively conducted remotely, shall proceed with in -person court appe arances if it i s an essential or crit ical court proceeding, and the saf ety precautions set forth below are employed. Such hearings sha ll be c onducted rem otely to the extent poss ible, using a hybrid approach in wh ich some participants appear in- person and some appear remotely if feasible. E. Essential Court Proceedings Defined - Essential Court Proceedings are defined as: i. First Appe arance, bond hearings, in -custody Changes of Plea , in-custody violation of probat ion or community control hearings, in -custody motions which the court determines will be dispo sitive of the c ase, out-of-custody Changes of Plea, and juvenile delinquency detention hearings. ii. Domestic Violenc e Injunctio n Hearings (including repeat, sexual, dating violence and stalking injunction), and Risk Protection Order hearings. iii. Juvenile Depe ndency Shelter hearings and Dependency a nd Termination of Parental Rights Adjudicatory Hearings, as determined by the presiding judge. iv. Hearings on Appointment of Emerg ency Temp orary Gu ardian, Vulnerable Adult Injunctions, Adult Protective Services proceedings, “Do not resuscitate” proceedings, Seizure of bodily fluid procee dings, and other matters of this type which the Court determines to be of an urgent nature. • AO 11.33 Page 4 Procedures for Phase 2 Transition Effective: July 6, 2020 3. COURT PROCEEDINGS A. Remote Pr oceedings - All court proceedings regardless of ty pe, with the exception of jury proceedings, which can be effectively conducted remotely , shall continue to proceed by electronic means with no in-person court appearances. B. Essential Court Proceeding s, Critical Co urt Proceedings, and Phase 2 Court Proceedings – Essential Court Proceedings, Critical Court Proceedings, and Phase 2 Court Pr oceedings, as defined below, which cann ot be effectiv ely conducted remotely, shall proceed wit h in -person cou rt appearance s, provided that all safety precautions set forth in Paragraph 4 below are employed. Such hearings shall be c onducted remotely to the extent possible, using a hyb rid approach in which some participants appear in-person and some appear remotely if feasible. C. Essential Court Proceedings Defined - Essential Court Proceedings are defined as: i. First A ppearance, all criminal arr aignments**, bond hearings, in -custody Changes of Plea , in-custody violation of probat ion or community control hearings, in-custody motions which the court determines will be dispo sitive of the c ase, out-of-custody Changes of Ple a, and juvenile delinquency detention hearings. ii. Domestic Violen ce Injunctio n Hearings (including repeat, sexual, dating violence and stalking injunction), and Risk Protection Order hearings. iii. Juvenile Depe ndency Shelter hearings and Dependency a nd Termination of Parental Rights Adjudicatory Hearings, as determined by the presiding judge. iv. Hearings o n Appointment of Emer gency Temp orary Guardian, Vulnerable Adult Injunctions, Adult Protective Services proceedings, “Do not resuscitate” proceedings, Seizure of bodily fluid procee dings, and other matters of this type which the Court determines to be of an urgent nature. ** All criminal arraignments ha ve been ad ded to the list of essential court proceed ings as authorized by AOSC20-32 Amendment 4, Paragraph III D (1). • AO 11.24 Page 5 Updated Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19) Emergency Procedures Effective: March 30, 2020 iii. Wherever practicable, these proceedings shall be conducted remotely, using t elephonic or oth er elect ronic means, without the nec essity of in- person court appearances. iv. If it is not practicable to conduct these proceedings with all necessary individuals appearing remotely, the necessary individuals who are un able to appear remotely shall appear in person, unles s the appearance is waived by the presiding judge. 3. Protocols for weekend and holiday First Appearance shall remain unchanged. 4. No proceedings, other than those set forth above, or those specifically approved by the Chief Judge, shall take place unless they are conducted entirely remotely, using telephonic or other electronic means , with no in-person appearances by parties, attorneys, clerks, court reporters, or any other individuals. 5. In condu cting any court proceedings, all practicable methods to minimize the risk o f COVI D-19 exposure shall be employ ed; including permitting only those persons essential to the pr oceeding to enter the courtroom, cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces both before and after the proce eding, using the hallways or additional c ourtrooms as wa iting areas, and dispersing those present in the courtroom to a safe distance. 6. Any person , regardless of statu s, who is e xhibiting s ymptoms co nsistent with COVID-19, or any person who ha s be en in co ntact with an other person who has tested po sitive for COVID-19, shall be prohibited from entering any court facility without the express permission of the Chief Judge or the Trial Court Administrator.
AO 11.23 (v.1) Page 2 Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19) Emergency Procedures Effective: March 19, 2020 3. If it is not practicable to conduct essential court proceedings with all individuals appearing remotely, those individuals who are unable to appear remotely shall appear in person, unless the appearance is waived by the presiding judge. 4. Essential court proceedings shall include: (a) First Appearances; (b) Bond Hea rings; (c) In-custody Changes of Plea in which the defendant’s release from incarceration is expected; (d) Juvenile Detention Hearings ; (e) Domestic Violence Injunction Hear ings (including repeat, sexual, dating violence and stalking inju nction); (f) Risk Protection Orders; (g) Shelter Hearings ; (h) Dependency Arraignments and Advisory Hearings; (i) Dependency a nd F amily Law matters where the imminent safety of child ren is at issue ; (j) Baker and Marchman Act proc
Reviewer note: Source sha256: d5246544559eadf342bd05830cd3e918a05f7ff03ac0a2d9bfd2b7cfb58750ff, 0aff4e940cbf8d8a47198e695e5986d0201ced40e7e313c7bb86ae9070795f3f, ff43a9096271019ecfd56f06fb86120c2ed9a2363c6d5168cde102ef87ef4699, 09a150cfd086ee131f6e561148d7af713b5ef2cbd7fff5aa65b85dfb2cbe09a7, 20ed9368057f294192e38c90414979d75cdc836e60197cd229cd8c5746f1e1fe, 5557ef9d603feae51a602e6b9737d8f7594cc246027c7aa20bb4b58e4de579ab. Corpus categories: REMOTE_OR_ZOOM. Operative status as recorded: CURRENT_DIRECTORY_CURRENT_VERSION, SUPERSEDED_WITHIN_SECTION. Published during the 2026-07-24 completeness pass.
Most hearings set for 30 minutes or less are conducted by Zoom in CV-A; the setting order/notice prevails. Telephonic appearance is allowed if opposing counsel doesn't object — request it when scheduling.
In CV-B the parties agree whether attendance is Zoom or in person; hybrid is permitted, and the Notice of Hearing must state Hearing Room 701 with the division's published Zoom ID (275-150-7351).
In CV-C, appearing by Zoom is a privilege (log in five minutes early; Court hosts); presenting testimony remotely — any hearing or non-jury trial, any length — requires a written motion showing good cause under Rule 2.530(b)(2).