Yesterday (Apr 21), Chief Justice Charles Canady issued a new administrative order creating a 17-member workgroup to recommend ways for a staged return to full court operations as the course of the coronavirus pandemic changes in the months ahead. State Attorney Phil Archer was appointed to serve on the committee that will be chaired by Circuit Judge Lisa Taylor Munyon.

The order identifies four stages of pandemic operations for the workgroup to study: (1) the period when in-person contact is rare; (2) the period when limited in-person contact may be authorized with precautions; (3) the period when in-person contact is more broadly authorized and precautions are relaxed; and (4) the period when coronavirus no longer is a significant risk.

Canady’s order authorizes the workgroup to consult other stakeholders in the state’s justice system as well as public health experts, medical professionals, and specialists in pandemic management. Recommendations of the workgroup may include changes to rules, protocols, procedures and statutes that will be sent to the Florida Supreme Court as they are developed rather than waiting for a large final report.

Under the order, the workgroup will meet at least through June 30 with extensions possible beyond that date if needed. The Office of the State Courts Administrator will provide staff for the workgroup

The following were appointed to serve on the workgroup:

• The Honorable Philip G. Archer, State Attorney, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit
• The Honorable Kimberly C. Bonner, Chief Judge, Twelfth Judicial Circuit
• The Honorable Hope Tieman Bristol, Circuit Judge, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
• The Honorable Stacy M. Butterfield, Clerk of Courts, County Comptroller, Polk County
• Mr. Jay Cohen, Attorney, Fort Lauderdale
• Mr. Daniel DiGiacomo, Marshal, Fourth District Court of Appeal
• The Honorable Howard L. Dimmig, II, Public Defender, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• The Honorable Kevin Emas, Chief Judge, Third District Court of Appeal
• Mr. Gary A. Hagan, Court Technology Officer, Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
• Mr. Charles Hydovitz, Trial Court Administrator, Third Judicial Circuit
• The Honorable Christopher Kelly, County Court Judge, Volusia County
• The Honorable Don H. Lester, Circuit Judge, Fourth Judicial Circuit
• The Honorable Janeice T. Martin, County Court Judge, Collier County
• The Honorable Michael T. McHugh, Chief Judge, Twentieth Judicial Circuit
• The Honorable Lisa Taylor Munyon, Chair, Circuit Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit
• The Honorable Bertila Soto, Chief Judge, Eleventh Judicial Circuit
• Mr. John A. Tomasino, Clerk of Court, Supreme Court of Florida