Manual For Legal Secretaries Ch. 1

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The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries
Copyright 2010, Matthew Bender & Company, Inc., a member of the LexisNexis Group.
Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE
1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries Section 1.syn
§ Section 1.syn Synopsis to Chapter Section 1: COURT STRUCTURE
1.01 WHAT IS A COURT?
1.02 CRIMINAL VERSUS CIVIL
1.03 PEOPLE IN THE COURTROOM
1.04 UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
1.05 FEDERAL COURTS
1.06 FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS--FLORIDA DIVISIONS
1.07 MAP OF FEDERAL DISTRICTS
1.08 BANKRUPTCY COURTS
1.09 THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLORIDA JUDICIAL SYSTEM
1.10 SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA
1.11 DISTRICT COURTS OF APPEAL
1.12 STATE APPELLATE DISTRICTS (WITH MAP)
1.13 JUDICIAL CIRCUITS (WITH MAP)
1.14 CIRCUIT COURT
1.15 COUNTY COURT
1.16 CLERK DIRECTORY
1.17 CLERK WEB SITES

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1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries Section 1.syn
1.18 FLORIDA SHERIFFS' ADDRESSES, PHONE & FAX NUMBERS
1.19 FLORIDA PROPERTY APPRAISERS
1.20 FLORIDA TAX COLLECTORS

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1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries 1.01
1.01 WHAT IS A COURT?
Courts are set up by the government to settle disputes through legal processes. When people cannot agree about what
may have happened and cannot settle their dispute out of court, it is brought into court. In this way, courts will decide
what really happened and how it should be dealt with.
Courts are important and necessary for a number of reasons. They determine through evidentiary processes whether a
person committed a crime and what his or her punishment should be. Courts also decide private disputes, and
sometimes that decision will affect people other than the individuals who are involved in the lawsuit. The court's
decision may set a precedent for school segregation or the right to wear political attire at schools, for example.
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1.02 CRIMINAL VERSUS CIVIL
Persons accused of committing a crime are sent to criminal court. Any action considered to be harmful to society as a
whole, as well as one harmful to an individual, is a crime. A person convicted of a crime may be fined, sent to prison, or
put on probation. The charging document is called an indictment or information. The government prosecutes the case on
behalf of society.
Civil cases are filed by people, individually, as a group, or as a corporate entity. A party files a claim alleging that the
other party failed to carry out a legal duty, or has caused harm against another including but not limited to be physical,
emotional, or financial.
Civil cases not only involve injuries, but also contracts. There are different types of contracts. Some involve real estate
and some involve a promise to do something in return for consideration. These contracts can be enforced in a court of
law.
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1.03 PEOPLE IN THE COURTROOM
These are the people one might expect to see in a federal court, circuit court, or county court proceeding:
The judge presides over the trial from the bench which is an elevated desk. His or her job is to preside over the
proceedings and see that order is maintained. The judge determines what evidence is proper to be introduced at trial. At
the conclusion of the case, the judge instructs the jury on the law that will apply to the case. In a nonjury trial, the judge
must also decide the facts.
The jury is the group of people seated in the boxed-in area on one side of the courtroom. It is called the petit jury,
which consists of a group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in
dispute. In most civil and criminal cases, the jury will consist of six persons, with one or two alternates. In first-degree
murder cases and civil condemnation cases, a twelve-person jury is required.
The lawyers will sit at counsel tables provided for them in the courtroom. These lawyers will be questioning witnesses
and presenting "argument" to the jury to try to convince them to believe their side of the case.
The parties, if present, will be sitting at the counsel tables with their lawyers.
The witnesses are usually told to remain out of the courtroom until time to testify. To avoid a witness coloring his
testimony by hearing testimony of other witnesses, the rule of sequestration is invoked, called "invoking the rule." The
witnesses are called to testify one at a time and are sworn in as they approach the witness chair. They are then
questioned by both lawyers.
The clerk is usually seated near the judge in the courtroom and assists the judge with marking evidence and exhibits,
and keeps a timetable. The clerk administers the oath to the witnesses.
The court reporter sits near the witness stand and takes a verbatim record on a transcribing machine or other electronic
device. This word-for-word record is made of every trial, but is only transcribed in the event of an appeal or a request
for some other reason by one of the parties.
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1.04 UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
A Brief Overview of the United States Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States
One First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20543
Phone: 202-479-3211
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/index.html
The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and such number of Associate Justices as may be
fixed by Congress. The number of Associate Justices is currently fixed at eight (28 U. S. C. § 1). Power to nominate the
Justices is vested in the President of the United States, and appointments are made with the advice and consent of the
Senate. Article III, § 1, of the Constitution further provides that "[t]he Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts,
shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation,
which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office."
Court Officers assist the Court in the performance of its functions. They include the Administrative Assistant to the
Chief Justice, the Clerk, the Reporter of Decisions, the Librarian, the Marshal, the Court Counsel, the Curator, the
Director of Data Systems, and the Public Information Officer. The Administrative Assistant is appointed by the Chief
Justice. The Clerk, Reporter of Decisions, Librarian, and Marshal are appointed by the Court. All other Court Officers
are appointed by the Chief Justice in consultation with the Court.
Constitutional Origin. Article III, § 1, of the Constitution provides that "[t]he judicial Power of the United States,
shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and
establish." The Supreme Court of the United States was created in accordance with this provision and by authority of
the Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789 (1 Stat. 73). It was organized on February 2, 1790.
Jurisdiction. According to the Constitution (Art. III, § 2): "The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and
Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under
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their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and
maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or
more States;--between a State and Citizens of another State;--between Citizens of different States;--between Citizens of
the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign
States, Citizens or Subjects.
"In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the
supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have
appellate jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall
make."
Appellate jurisdiction has been conferred upon the Supreme Court by various statutes, under the authority given
Congress by the Constitution. The basic statute effective at this time in conferring and controlling jurisdiction of the
Supreme Court may be found in 28 U. S. C. § 1251 et seq., and various special statutes.
Rulemaking Power. Congress has from time to time conferred upon the Supreme Court power to prescribe rules of
procedure to be followed by the lower courts of the United States. See 28 U. S. C. § 2071 et seq.
The Building. The Supreme Court is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is closed
Saturdays, Sundays, and the federal legal holidays listed in 5 U. S. C. § 6103. Unless the Court or the Chief Justice
orders otherwise, the Clerk's Office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on those holidays.
The Library is open to members of the Bar of the Court, attorneys for the various federal departments and agencies, and
Members of Congress.
The Term. The Term of the Court begins, by law, on the first Monday in October and lasts until the first Monday in
October of the next year. Approximately 10,000 petitions are filed with the Court in the course of a Term. In addition,
some 1,200 applications of various kinds are filed each year that can be acted upon by a single Justice.
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1.05 FEDERAL COURTS
The United States establishes federal courts to decide disputes that concern the Federal Constitution and statutes, which
are laws passed by Congress. Of all the federal courts, the United States District Courts are the most numerous. There is
at least one district in each state, and many states are divided into more than one district. Congress has divided the
country into 94 federal judicial districts, and in each district there is a federal district court. The breakdown of areas that
are included in each judicial district can be found at 28 U.S.C. §§ 81-131.
The Supreme Court of the United States, in Washington, D.C., is the most famous federal court. If a case is lost in the
court of appeal (or, sometimes, in the state supreme court) the Supreme Court can be asked to hear the appeal. However,
unlike a court of appeal, the Supreme Court does not have to hear it. In fact, the Supreme Court hears only a small
percentage of the cases it is asked to take.
Florida has three federal judicial districts. They are the Northern District, the Middle District, and the Southern District.
The Northern District is divided into four divisions for the purpose of issuing, serving and returning process, and for
the trial and disposition of cases, as follows:
1. The Pensacola division is composed of the following counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and
Walton. All civil cases in which venue properly lies in one of these counties and all criminal cases in
which the offense was committed in any of these counties shall be tried and docketed in Pensacola.
2. The Panama City division is composed of the following counties: Jackson, Holmes, Washington, Bay,
Calhoun, and Gulf. All civil cases in which venue properly lies in one of these counties and all criminal
cases in which the offense was committed in any of these counties shall be tried in Panama City, and
shall be docketed on the Panama City docket; provided, however, that the Panama City docket shall be
kept in Pensacola.
3. The Tallahassee division is composed of the following counties: Leon, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin,
Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, and Madison. All civil cases in which venue properly lies in one of these
counties and all criminal cases in which the offense was committed in any of these counties shall be tried
and docketed in Tallahassee.
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4. The Gainesville division is composed of the following counties: Alachua, Lafayette, Dixie, Gilchrist,
and Levy. All civil cases in which venue properly lies in one of these counties and all criminal cases in
which the offense was committed in any of these counties shall be tried in Gainesville and shall be
docketed on the Gainesville docket; provided, however, that the Gainesville docket shall be kept in
Tallahassee.
The Middle District is divided into five divisions, as follows:
1. The Jacksonville division is composed of the following counties: Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia,
Duval, Flagler, Hamilton, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, and Union. The place of holding court
shall be Jacksonville.
2. The Ocala division is composed of the following counties: Citrus, Lake, Marion, and Sumter. The
place of holding court shall be Ocala; provided, however, the Ocala docket shall be kept and
administered in Jacksonville.
3. The Orlando division is composed of the following counties: Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and
Volusia. The place of holding court shall be Orlando.
4. The Tampa division is composed of the following counties: Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough,
Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. The place of holding court shall be Tampa.
5. The Fort Myers division is composed of the following counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades,
Hendry, and Lee. The place of holding court shall be Fort Myers, and unless otherwise provided by
general order of court, the Fort Myers docket shall be kept and administered in Tampa.
The Southern District is divided as follows:
1. For Dade County and Monroe County, civil actions arising therein and criminal proceedings when the
offense was committed in either county shall be filed at, docketed and returnable to Miami, but tried as
indicated below:
A. Dade County actions and proceedings--Miami
B. Monroe County actions and proceedings--Key West
2. For Broward County, civil and criminal proceedings shall be filed at, docketed, returnable to, and tried
at Fort Lauderdale.
3. For Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties, civil and
criminal proceedings shall be filed at, docketed and returnable to West Palm Beach, but tried as indicated
below:
A. Palm Beach County actions and proceedings--West Palm Beach
B. Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie County actions and
proceedings--Ft. Pierce
The clerk shall mark the docket to identify the place of trial of all actions and proceedings. In any of the above divisions
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of all three districts, upon Order of Court, any proceeding or trial may be conducted at any jury division within that
district.
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1.06 FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS--FLORIDA DIVISIONS
Northern District Middle District Southern District

http://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/ http://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/ http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/
Gainesville Division Ft. Myers Division Ft. Lauderdale Division
United States Courthouse U.S. Courthouse & Federal 299 E. Broward Boulevard, Rm
401 SE First Ave. Rm 243 Building 108
Gainesville, FL 32601 2110 First Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(352) 380-2400 Ft. Myers, FL 33901 954-769-5400
239-461-2000
Panama City Division Ft. Pierce Division
United States Courthouse Jacksonville Division 300 South Sixth Street, 2d Floor
30 W. Government St. United States Courthouse Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Panama City, FL 32401 300 North Hogan Street 772-467-2300
(850) 769-4556 Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-549-1900 Miami Division
Pensacola Division 400 North Miami Avenue, 8th
United States Courthouse Ocala Division Floor
1 North Palafox St. Golden-Collum Memorial Feder- Miami, FL 33128
Pensacola, FL 32502 al Building & U.S. Courthouse (305) 523-5100
(850) 435-8440 207 N. W. Second Street
Ocala, FL 34475 West Palm Beach Division
Tallahassee Division 352-369-4860 701 Clematis Street, Rm 402
United States Courthouse West Palm Beach, FL 33401
111 N. Adams St. Orlando Division 561-803-3400
Tallahassee, FL 32301-7730 U.S. Courthouse
(850) 521-3501 401 West Central Boulevard
Suite 1200
Orlando, FL 32801-0120
407-835-4200
Tampa Division
Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Court-
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house
801 North FL Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
813-301-5400
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1.07 MAP OF FEDERAL DISTRICTS
Click here to view image.
NORTHERN DISTRICT: Court held in Gainesville, Tallahassee, Panama City, and Pensacola.
MIDDLE DISTRICT: Court held in Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, and Tampa.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT: Court held in Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Pierce, Miami, and West Palm Beach.
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1.08 BANKRUPTCY COURTS
The bankruptcy courts are a division of the federal district courts, and there is presently at least one bankruptcy court in
each state. If the state is divided into more than one judicial district, there are as many courts of bankruptcy as there are
judicial districts. The federal district courts have authority over all proceedings in connection with bankruptcy cases. A
district court may refer proceedings within its jurisdiction to the bankruptcy judge for that district. An appeal from a
final judgment, order, or decree of a bankruptcy judge is taken by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of the district
court or bankruptcy appellate panel.
Both voluntary and involuntary bankruptcies are started by the filing of a petition. The debtor may voluntarily file the
petition or, under Chapters 7 or 11, a petition for involuntary bankruptcy may be filed against the debtor by three or
more creditors.
A debtor may file for bankruptcy only in the district where his residence, domicile, or principal place of business has
been located for the preceding 180 days or the majority of the preceding 180 days or the district in which there is a
pending case under Title 11 concerning the debtor's affiliate, general partner, or partnership. Voluntary bankruptcies
may be filed under Chapters 7, 9, 11, 12, or 13 as follows:
Chapter 7--Any person, including a corporation, who resides, has a domicile or place of business, or owns property in
the United States may file a bankruptcy petition under Chapter 7. However, railroads, insurance companies, banks,
savings and loan associations (or a similar institution, which is an insured bank as defined by the FDIC) cannot file for
relief under this chapter.
Chapter 9--A municipality that is unable to pay its debts as they mature and that is not prohibited by state law from
proceeding under this chapter is permitted to file under Chapter 9.
Chapter 11--This chapter is primarily designed for business entities, but an individual or entity, except a stockbroker
or a commodity broker, who is entitled to file under Chapter 7, may seek relief under Chapter 11, as may a railroad.
Chapter 12--The only person allowed to file under Chapter 12 is a family farmer with an annual income.
Chapter 13--Relief under Chapter 13 is available to small proprietorships and to an individual (and spouse) with a
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regular income who owes, on the date of filing the petition, unsecured debts of less than $336,900 and secured debts of
less than $1,010,650.00 (as of April 1, 2007.) A stockbroker or a commodity broker may not receive relief under this
chapter.
Florida is divided into three federal districts: Northern District, Middle District, and Southern District. The counties
falling under those districts are as follows:
Northern District: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty,
Franklin, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Lafayette, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, and Alachua.
Court is held in Gainesville, Marianna, Tallahassee, Panama City, and Pensacola.
Middle District: Hamilton, Suwannee, Columbia, Baker, Union, Bradford, Nassau, Duval, Clay, Putnam, St. Johns,
Flagler, Marion, Volusia, Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Seminole, Hernando, Orange, Brevard, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough,
Polk, Osceola, Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, Desoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier.
Court is held in Fernandina, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Live Oak, Ocala, Orlando, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.
Southern District: Indian River, Highlands, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Monroe, and Dade.
Court is held in Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Pierce, Key West, Miami, and West Palm Beach.
Bankruptcy clerks' offices for the three federal districts of Florida are:
Northern District: 110 E. Park Avenue, Suite 100
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(850) 521-5013
http://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/
Southern District: Claude Pepper Federal Building
51 SW 1st Avenue
Miami, Florida 33130
(305) 714-1800
http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
Middle District: 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555
Tampa, Florida 33602
(813) 521-5013
http://www.flmb.uscourts.gov/
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1.09 THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLORIDA JUDICIAL SYSTEM
The Florida Supreme Court consists of seven justices who sit in Tallahassee. These justices serve six-year terms.
There are five district courts of appeal, in which the judges serve six-year terms.
- The headquarters of the first district is in Tallahassee.
- The headquarters of the second district is in Lakeland.
- The headquarters of the third district is in Miami.
- The headquarters of the fourth district is in West Palm Beach.
- The headquarters of the fifth district is in Daytona Beach.
The Supreme Court and the courts of appeal are both appellate courts.
There are 20 circuit courts. A different number of judges sit in each of the circuits. The judges in circuit court serve
six-year terms.
There are 67 county courts. At least one county judge presides in each county and these judges serve four-year terms.
The circuit and county courts are trial courts. Circuit courts also have jurisdiction of appeals from county court, as well
as appeals from final administrative orders of local government code enforcement boards.
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1.10 SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA
The Florida Supreme Court is vested with all the power and authority necessary to carry into complete execution all its
judgments, decrees, and determinations in the matters before it, agreeable to the usage and principles of law.
The marshal of the Supreme Court is empowered to execute process of the Court throughout the state and is the
custodian of the Supreme Court building, its furnishings, and grounds.
The librarian of the Supreme Court is in charge of the Court's library. The library is for the use of Court personnel at
any time. Library hours for the public are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Office of the State Courts Administrator has been created by the Court to serve the chief justice in carrying out
his or her responsibilities as chief administrative officer of the Florida judiciary.
The internal auditor reports directly to the chief justice. Among other things, the internal auditor reviews budgetary
requests from court officials, provides budgetary information to the legislature, reviews legislative fiscal notes, assists in
preparing the judicial branch's budget requests, conducts audits within the judicial system, and monitors actions taken
by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.
The reporter of decisions works directly with the chief justice and the clerk's office. The reporter of decisions' duties
are determined and assigned by the chief justice.
Florida Supreme Court
Diagram of the State Court System:
Supreme Court Justices
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/justices/index.shtml
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More than 80 women and men have served as Justices of Florida's highest court since it was created upon statehood in
1845 and held its first arguments in 1846.
Supreme Court History
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/about/history/index.shtml
The Florida Supreme Court has existed for more than 150 years, spanning two vastly different eras--the time in 1845
when Florida was the least populous Southern state, and today when Florida's population ranks fourth nationwide.
State Courts System
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/pub_info/system2.shtml
The Florida Supreme Court not only is the highest court in Florida, its Chief Justice oversees the entire State Courts
System. This includes many management functions centralized in Tallahassee in the Office of the State Courts
Administrator, and regulation of The Florida Bar ( http://www.flabar.org/ ).
Supreme Court Seal
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/about/history/seal.shtml
Every court has a seal to mark its documents as official acts of the Judges or Justices. But the Seal of the Supreme Court
of Florida is so old--dating to some time before 1845--that no records remain to explain its exact meaning.
Departments of the Court:
Clerk's Office
Florida Supreme Court
Attn: Clerk's Office

500 South Duval Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1927
850.488.0125
Email: supremecourt@flcourts.org
Website: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/clerk/index.shtml
Law Library
Supreme Court Library
500 South Duval Street Tallahassee, FL 32399

850.488.8919
Email: library@flcourts.org
Website: http://library.flcourts.org/
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Marshal's Office
500 South Duval Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Website: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/about/marshal.shtml
Overview
The Supreme Court Marshal is the custodian of the building and grounds of the Supreme Court. This responsibility
includes security, custodianship of all property, building and grounds maintenance, and administration of the building
facilities. Responsibilities include development and execution of the court's operational budget, purchasing,
maintenance contracting, and the provision of telephone communication services. The Marshal is also responsible for
ensuring the execution of all the court's orders throughout the state. The office phone number is (850) 488-8845.
History of the Marshal
Marshals and their Deputies have served as the instruments of civil authority by courts for over 1200 years. The
Frankish descendant of the Germanic word, *marahskalk, came to designate a high royal official and also a high
military commander. Along with many other Frankish words, *marahskalk was borrowed into Old French by about
800; some centuries later, when the Normans established a French-speaking official class in England, the Old French
word came with them.
In English, marshal is first recorded in 1218, as a surname (still surviving in the spelling Marshall); its first appearance
as a common noun was in 1258, in the sense "high officer of the royal court." The word was also applied to this high
royal official's deputies, who were officers of courts of law, and it continued to designate various officials involved with
courts of law and law enforcement, including the horseback-riding marshals we are familiar with in the old West of the
United States. Particularly in the United States, marshal is used for various kinds of law enforcement officers with
specialist status. They mainly protect the security of the courts and justice system.
In the United States, the first 13 Marshals were appointed by George Washington in 1789. The Marshals and their
Deputies served the subpoenas, summonses, writs, warrants, and other process issued by the courts, made all the arrests,
and handled all the prisoners. They also disbursed the money. The Marshals paid the fees and expenses of the court
clerks, U.S. Attorneys, jurors, and witnesses. They rented the courtrooms and jail space and hired the bailiffs, criers, and
janitors. They made sure the prisoners were present, the jurors were available, and the witnesses were on time.
In 1927, the legislature of Florida granted the Supreme Court of Florida the authority to appoint a Marshal under Article
V of the Constitution of the State of Florida. The Marshal has the power to execute the process of the court throughout
the state, and in any county may deputize the sheriff or a deputy sheriff for such purpose.
The Modern Office of the Marshal---Changing with the Times
Just as America has changed over the past two centuries, so, too, the Office of the Marshal has changed dramatically.
Not in its underlying responsibility to enforce the law and execute the orders issued by the court, but in the breadth of
its functions, the professionalism of its personnel, and the sophistication of the technologies employed. These changes
are made apparent by an examination of the contemporary duties of the modern Office of the Marshal.
Judicial Protective Operations

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Ensuring the safe conduct of judicial proceedings and protecting the Justices and other members of the judicial family
are principal functions of the Office of the Marshal. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of
threats against members of the judiciary, attorneys, and other court officers. Explicit threats against the judiciary are
assessed by the Office of the Marshal to determine the level of danger. On average, about 100 threats/inappropriate
communications against judicial members are logged each year. Building on operational study of U.S. assassins,
attackers, and near-lethal approaches of public officials, the Office of the Marshal develops a threat assessment and
determines an appropriate protective operation in response to each threat.
Court Security
The Office of the Marshal provides the latest in state-of-the-art protective techniques and equipment in all phases of
court proceedings, threat situations, and judicial conferences--thus ensuring quick and safe responses in emergency
situations as well as unobtrusive surveillance and protection during routine operations. In fulfilling its primary
responsibility of providing security services to the Supreme Court, the Office of the Marshal deploys and coordinates
the installation of complex electronic security systems to protect the Justices, courthouse staff members, visitors and
physical court facilities. This includes perimeter security, access control, closed circuit television surveillance, and
alarm reporting systems.
Emergency Management
During times of state or national emergencies or natural disasters, the Office of the Marshal serves as the State
Coordinating Officer for the emergency management and continuity of operation of the Supreme Court. The Marshal's
Office coordinates the activities of the Court Emergency Management Team.
Central Courthouse Management
The Marshal is the custodian of the building and grounds of the Supreme Court, including custodianship of all property,
building and grounds maintenance, and administration of the building facilities. Through its administrative staff, the
Office of the Marshal prepares and manages the budget and inventory of the Supreme Court.
The Facilities and Engineering Division performs building and grounds maintenance, construction management of
capital improvement projects, and mail center management. Built in 1948, the current Supreme Court building is one of
the most historically significant buildings in the state capital, with architecture inspired by Thomas Jefferson. The
Facilities and Engineering staff provide a program of modern upgrades to systems while preserving the historic majesty
and dignity of the building.
Office of Inspector General
Email: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/oig/index.shtml
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an integral part of the State Courts System.
The purpose of the OIG is to provide a central point for coordination of, and responsibility for, activities that promote
accountability, integrity, and efficiency in the State Courts System.
The goal of the OIG is to proactively perform engagements designed to add value and improve the programs and
operations of the State Courts System.
For more information about the OIG and the projects that are planned for the current fiscal year, please see the
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following documents:
Office of Public Information
Website: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/pub_info/index.shtml
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1.11 DISTRICT COURTS OF APPEAL
There are five district courts of appeal:
First Appellate District: contains the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Circuits.
Second Appellate District: contains the Sixth, Tenth, Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Twentieth Circuits.
Third Appellate District: contains the Eleventh and Sixteenth Circuits.
Fourth Appellate District: contains the Fifteenth, Seventeenth, and Nineteenth Circuits.
Fifth Appellate District: contains the Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, and Eighteenth Circuits.
District courts of appeal shall review, by appeal, final orders of trial courts not directly reviewable by the supreme court
or a circuit court and non-final orders of circuit courts as indicated by Rule 9.130. They shall also review administrative
action when it is provided for by general law.
Certiorari jurisdiction may be sought to review non-final orders of lower courts other than as indicated by Rule 9.130
and final orders of circuit courts acting in a review capacity.
District courts of appeal may issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, common law certiorari and all other
writs necessary to complete the exercise of the courts' jurisdiction, or any appellate judge may issue writs of habeas
corpus returnable before the court or any judge thereof, or before any circuit judge within the territorial jurisdiction of
the court.
Final orders of the county court which would otherwise be appealed to the circuit court under these rules, but which the
county court has deemed to be of great public importance, may fall under discretionary review by the district court of
appeal, as well as non-final orders deemed to be of great public importance.
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13 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.12 STATE APPELLATE DISTRICTS (WITH MAP)
Map from following site: http://www.flcourts.org/courts/dca/dca_dist.shtml

First District Court of Appeal
301 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 487-1000
Circuits: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, and 14th Circuits
Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Clay, Columbia, Dixie,
Duval, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton,
Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison,
Nassau, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla,
Walton, Washington
Second District Court of Appeal
1005 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801 or

801 E. Twiggs St., Ste. 600 Tampa, FL 33602-3547
(863) 499-2290 (both locations)

Circuits: 6th, 10th, 12th, 13th, and 20th Circuits
Counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hills-
borough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota
Third District Court of Appeal
2001 S.W. 117 Ave, Miami, FL 33175-1716
(305) 229-3200
Circuits: 11th and 16th Circuits
Counties: Dade, Monroe
Page 24
Fourth District Court of Appeal
1525 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33402
(561) 242-2000
Circuits: 15th, 17th, and 19th Circuits
Counties: Broward, Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin
Fifth District Court of Appeal
300 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 255-8600 (Clerk's Office)
(386) 947-1500 (Marshal's Office)

Circuits: 5th, 7th, 9th, and 18th Circuits
Counties: Brevard, Citrus, Flagler, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola,
Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Volusia
By appeal to the supreme court, final orders of courts imposing sentences of death, and decisions of district courts of
appeal declaring invalid a state statute or a provision of the state constitution are reviewed. By law, the supreme court
reviews final orders entered in proceedings for the validation of bonds or certificates of indebtedness, and actions of
statewide agencies relating to rates or service of utilities providing electric, gas, or telephone service.
The supreme court has discretionary power to review:
1. decisions of district courts of appeal that (a) expressly declare valid a state statute; (b) expressly
construe a provision of the state or Federal Constitution; (c) expressly affect a class of constitutional or
state officers; (d) expressly and directly conflict with a decision of another district court of appeal or of
the supreme court on the same question of law; (e) pass upon a question certified to be of great public
importance; or (f) are certified to be in direct conflict with decisions of other district courts of appeal.
2. orders and judgments of trial courts certified by the district court of appeal in which the appeal is
pending to require immediate resolution by the Supreme Court, and (a) to be of great public importance,
or (b) to have a great effect on the proper administration of justice.
3. questions of law certified by the Supreme Court of the United States or a United States Court of
Appeal that are determinative of the cause of action and for which there is no controlling precedent of the
Supreme Court of Florida.
The supreme court has the power to issue writs to state officers and state agencies returnable before the supreme court
or any justice, district court of appeal or any judge thereof, or any circuit judge.
The Supreme Court of Florida is composed of seven justices who serve terms of six years. Two law clerks and one
secretary are available for each justice, with the exception of the chief justice. His staff also includes an executive
assistant, two additional secretaries, an internal auditor and a reporter of decisions. One of the secretaries handles
prisoner correspondence. The chambers are located on the second floor of the Supreme Court building. Permission must
be obtained from one of the justices before anyone is allowed on the second floor.
The chief justice is the administrative officer of the court. He or she is responsible for the dispatch of the court's
Page 25
business and is also the chief administrative officer of the Florida judicial system. He or she has the power to make
temporary assignments of retired and active justices and judges to duty on any court for which they are qualified.
The clerk of the supreme court has administrative and clerical responsibilities. The clerk is authorized to appoint a chief
deputy clerk who may discharge the duties of the clerk during the clerk's absence and to appoint such other clerical
assistants as the court may deem necessary. The clerk's office receives all documents filed with the court. Office hours
are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Questions by non-court personnel regarding the court and its work should be directed to the clerk's office rather than to
the office of any justice. Persons desiring information concerning a particular case should direct their inquiries as
follows:
Docket book clerk--Docket book, current status of cases
Calendar clerk--Oral argument calendar; briefs
Opinion clerk--Filed opinions

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14 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.13 JUDICIAL CIRCUITS (WITH MAP)
1st Circuit: Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton Counties

2nd Circuit: Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla
3rd Circuit: Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor
Counties
4th Circuit: Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties
5th Circuit: Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties
6th Circuit: Pasco and Pinellas Counties
7th Circuit: Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties
8th Circuit: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union Counties
9th Circuit: Orange and Osceola Counties
10th Circuit: Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties
11th Circuit: Dade County
12th Circuit: Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto Counties
13th Circuit: Hillsborough County
14th Circuit: Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties
15th Circuit: Palm Beach County
16th Circuit: Monroe County
17th Circuit: Broward County
18th Circuit: Brevard and Seminole Counties
19th Circuit: St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee Counties
20th Circuit: Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties
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15 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.14 CIRCUIT COURT
Circuit courts are located in each of Florida's 20 judicial circuits. Each circuit consists of one or more counties. Circuit
courts have jurisdiction of appeals from county court, as well as appeals from final administrative orders of local
government code enforcement boards.
Circuit courts have exclusive original jurisdiction:
1. In all actions not recognized by the county court;
2. Actions in which the matter in controversy exceeds $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs;
3. Proceedings relating to the settlement of estates; guardianship; involuntary hospitalization;

determination of incapacity and other matters concerning court of probate;
4. In all cases in equity including all cases relating to juveniles except traffic offenses;
5. All felonies and in all misdemeanors arising out of the same circumstances as a felony that is
concurrently charged;
6. All cases involving the legality of tax assessment, in the actions of ejectment, in all actions involving
the titles or boundaries or rights of possession of real property.
In addition, the circuit court may also issue injunctions.
The many divisions of the circuit court include: criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile
dependency. The circuit court also handles appeals from the county court except those appeals that may be taken to the
district court of appeal.
Each circuit has a court administrator that serves the chief judge of that circuit. These court administrators work under
the State Courts Administrator whose job is to oversee the administrative functioning of the court system in the State of
Florida. Programs designed to assist the court fall under the supervision of this office. These programs include, but are
Page 28
not limited to:
1. Law clerks--On October 17, 1986, Chief Justice Parker Lee McDonald signed an Administrative Order establishing
a Law Clerk Pilot Program in the Sixth Circuit. The objectives of the program were to: (a) supplement judicial resources
without creating new judgeships, (b) improve the quality and speed of judicial handling of cases through the provision
of trial court law clerks, (c) evaluate different models of assignment of trial court law clerks, e.g., one law clerk per
judge or one law clerk per several judges, and (d) evaluate the effectiveness of law clerks in handling various types or
levels of research and administrative or case handling functions at the trial court level. Since then, law clerks have been
appointed in all circuits of the State of Florida to assist the judges to whom they are assigned.
A law clerk must have graduated from an accredited law school and become a member in the Florida Bar. He or she
should also have knowledge of legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures, legal research skills,
comprehensive knowledge of legal publications, and the ability to use them efficiently. The law clerk should also have
the ability to reason logically and analytically to grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated
factual details.
He or she should have the ability to perform exacting work, and to be attentive to issues in matters before the court. The
clerk should also have exceptional reading skills, the ability to digest and communicate ideas and concepts orally and in
writing, to exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and honesty in handling matters before the court and to
work effectively with others.
The chief judge of each circuit has the authority to appoint the law clerks for the circuit. Law clerks may perform legal
research, prepare memoranda of law and proposed orders for the judge's review, as directed by the judge. They may
serve as informal hearing officers for small claims pretrials. They may periodically review the judge's pending docket to
ensure time-standard compliance and may issue notices of noncompliance and/or schedule status conferences with the
judge's approval. Law clerks generally assist the judge with any legal task/project requested by the judge.
2. State of Florida, Guardian ad Litem Program--This program resulted from the Federal Child Abuse and
Treatment Act of 1974. In 1975, the Florida Legislature enacted Florida Statute 827.07, which gave the courts
discretionary authority to appoint guardians ad litem in child abuse proceedings, requiring public defenders to act as
such when appointed. In 1978, it amended the statute to require such appointments in dependency proceedings alleging
child abuse. In 1979, it mandated such appointments in dependency proceedings alleging neglect. In June 1982, this
program was funded as a state program under the Office of the State Courts Administrator.
The guardian ad litem serves as an officer of the court and is appointed through the mechanism FLA. STAT. §§ 415.508
(formerly 827.07), Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.300, and other related court rules and statutes. Volunteers were found
to perform five major rules: (1) Investigator--conducts interviews; (2) Monitor--being sure agencies provide as they
should and that court orders are carried out; (3) Protector--from insensitive questions; (4) Spokesperson--conveys child's
wishes to agencies and court; (5) Reporter--provides written reports to court.
The office of the State Courts Administrator provides administrative support to the Guardian ad Litem Program. Direct
supervision in each circuit is assigned to its chief judge, and, in turn, to the trial court administrator of each circuit.
Additionally, each circuit program is supervised by a juvenile judge.
3. Alternative Dispute Resolution--The legislature enacted Chapter 44 of the Florida Statutes in December of 1987
and the supreme court adopted the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Section 1.700 et seq. in January of 1988. These
rules have been amended several times since adoption.
Chapter 44 provides for court ordered mediation; court ordered, non-binding arbitration; voluntary binding arbitration;
and citizen dispute settlement centers (note: not all circuits adopted citizen dispute settlement centers, it is left to the
Page 29
discretion of the chief judge. Check with your local court administrator to see if this program exists), as an informal
forum for the mediation and settlement of disputes. Also see FRCP 1.700 et seq.
FLA. STAT. §§ 61.183 describes what issues in the family division may be referred to family mediation. Also see FRCP
1.740 for rules to follow on mediation of family matters.
For a listing of the court programs in your area, contact your local court administrator's office.
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16 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.15 COUNTY COURT
The county courts are Florida's trial court of limited jurisdiction. There are 67 county courts with the county boundaries
serving as the territorial jurisdiction. At least one county judge sits in each county, with some counties having more than
one county judge.
County courts have original jurisdiction in the following:
1. all criminal misdemeanor cases where there is not a concurrent felony
2. all violations of municipal and county ordinances
In civil matters, county courts have original jurisdiction in all actions of law in which the matter in controversy does not
exceed the sum of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and which is not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the
circuit courts. County court judges also serve as committing magistrates.
County court judges may hear dissolution of marriage actions under the simplified dissolution procedure under Rule
1.611(c), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.
County court has jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit court to consider landlord-tenant cases involving claims within
its jurisdictional amounts.
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17 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.16 CLERK DIRECTORY
(As of 4-28-08)
ALACHUA COUNTY
CLERK: BUDDY IRBY
Administrative Assistant Cheryl Jordan
Address P.O. Box 600, Gainesville, FL 32602

or 201 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Telephone (352) 374-3636
Fax (352) 338-3201
BAKER COUNTY
CLERK: AL FRASER
Chief Deputy / Secretary Donna Stafford
Address 339 E. MacClenny Avenue, Suite 113, MacClenny, FL 32063

Telephone (904) 259-8113
Fax (904) 259-4176
BAY COUNTY
CLERK: HAROLD BAZZEL
Chief Deputy Ed Brown Secretary Tammy Hoffmann
Address P.O. Box 2269, Panama City, FL 32402

or 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Page 32
Telephone (850) 763-9061

Fax (850) 747-5188
SUNCOM 777-5100
BRADFORD COUNTY
CLERK: RAY NORMAN
Secretary Marlene K. Stafford
Address P.O. Drawer B, Starke, FL 32091

or 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091
Telephone (904) 966-6280
Fax (904) 966-6256
BREVARD COUNTY
CLERK: SCOTT ELLIS
Chief Deputy Pattie Smith
Secretary Vicki Robinson
Address P.O. Box 999, Titusville, FL 32781-0239

or 400 South Street, Titusville, FL 32780
Telephone (321) 637-2017
Fax (321) 264-6940
SUNCOM 320-4293
BROWARD COUNTY
CLERK: HOWARD C. FORMAN
Chief Administrator Iris Siple (954-831-7173), Fax (954) 831-7619
Administrative Assistant Kathy Mayes (954-831-7019)
Address 201 S. E. 6th Street, Room 136, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Telephone (954) 831-7019

Fax (954) 831-7047
CALHOUN COUNTY
CLERK: RUTH W. ATTAWAY
Administrative Assistant Wendy Doyal
Address 20859 Central Avenue E., Room 130, Blountstown, FL 32424

Telephone (850) 674-4545
Fax (850) 674-5553
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY
CLERK: BARBARA T. SCOTT
Chief Deputy, Board Services Tommy Q. White Chief
Deputy of Courts, Records & Administration Jim Masch
Executive Secretary to the Clerk Marie Churchill
Secretary Sandra Colon
Address P.O. Box 511687-1687, Punta Gorda, FL 33951

or 350 East Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33951-1687
Telephone (941) 505-4716 Punta Gorda
Fax (941) 505-4749
CITRUS COUNTY
CLERK: BETTY STRIFLER
Administrative Assistant Linda Combs
Address 110 North Apopka Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450-4299

Telephone (352) 341-6481
Fax (352) 341-6491
SUNCOM 632-6481
CLAY COUNTY
CLERK JAMES B. JETT
Chief Deputy Clerk Doris Stotler
Administrative Assistant Norma Dunn
Address P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

or 825 North Orange Ave., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Telephone (904) 284-6317
Fax (904) 284-6390
SUNCOM 827-6317
COLLIER COUNTY
CLERK: DWIGHT E. BROCK
Secretary Sue Barbiretti
Address P.O. Box 413044, Naples, FL 34101-3044

or 3301 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112
Page 34
Telephone (239) 732-2745

Fax (239) 775-2755
COLUMBIA COUNTY
CLERK: P. DEWITT CASON
Chief Deputy Patricia Perry
Administrative Secretary Linda Odom
Address P.O. Box 2069, Lake City, FL 32056

or 173 N.E. Hernando Ave., Lake City, FL 32055
Telephone (386) 758-1342 or (386) 758-1041
Fax (386) 719-7457
SUNCOM 839-1342 or 839-1191
DESOTO COUNTY
CLERK: MITZIE W. McGAVIC
Chief Deputy Kathie McHargue
Address 115 East Oak Street, Arcadia, FL 34266-2401

Telephone (863) 993-4876
Fax (863) 993-4669
DIXIE COUNTY
CLERK: DANA JOHNSON
Address P.O. Box 1206, Cross City, FL 32628-1206

or 214 N.E. 351 Hwy., Suite M Cross City, FL 32628-1206
Telephone (352) 498-1200
Fax (352) 498-1201
SUNCOM 656-1200
DUVAL COUNTY
CLERK: JIM FULLER
Chief Assistant Clerk Gordon Morgan
Special Assistant/Administration Sharen Weisen
Address Duval County Courthouse, Room 103, 330

East Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202-2919
Telephone (904) 630-2039
Fax (904) 630-2950
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Page 35
CLERK: ERNIE LEE MAGAHA
Chief Deputy Clerk Lisa N. Bernau
Director Judicial Services Rita K. Davis
Address 190 Governmental Ctr., Rm. 23001, Pensacola, FL 32502

Telephone (850) 595-4310
Fax (850) 595-4316
SUNCOM 695-4310
FLAGLER COUNTY
CLERK: GAIL WADSWORTH
1769 East Moody Blvd., Bldg. #1, Bunnell, FL 32110

Telephone (386) 437-7410
Fax (386) 313-4353
SUNCOM 370-7410
FRANKLIN COUNTY
CLERK: MARCIA JOHNSON
Administrative Assistant Michael Moron
Address 33 Market St., Ste. 203, Apalachicola, FL 32320

Telephone (850) 653-8861 ext. 103
Clerk-Board Fax (850) 653-4795
Fax (850) 653-2261
GADSDEN COUNTY
CLERK: NICHOLAS THOMAS
Executive Assistant Glenda McPherson
Address P.O. Box 1649, Quincy, FL 32353

or 10 East Jefferson Street, Quincy, FL 32351
Telephone (850) 875-8601 ext. 224
Fax (850) 875-8612
GILCHRIST COUNTY
CLERK: JOSEPH W. GILLIAM
Administrative Assistant Denise Troyer
Address 112 S. Main St., Trenton, FL 32693

Telephone (352) 463-3170
Page 36
Fax (352) 463-3166
GLADES COUNTY
CLERK: JOE FLINT
Chief Deputy Brenda Choban
Senior Deputy Sandra Brown
Court Supervisor Sandra Brown
Address P.O. Box 10, Moore Haven, FL 33471

or 500 Avenue J, Suite 102, Moore Haven, FL 33471
Telephone (863) 946-6010
Fax (863) 946-0560
GULF COUNTY
CLERK: REBECCA NORRIS
Secretary Towan Kopinsky
Address 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd., Rm. 148, Port St. Joe, FL 32456
Telephone (850) 229-6113
Fax (850) 229-1990
HAMILTON COUNTY
CLERK: W. GREG GODWIN
Address 207 N.E. 1st Street, Room 106, Jasper, FL 32052

Telephone (386) 792-1288
Fax (386) 792-3524
SUNCOM 888-1288
HARDEE COUNTY
CLERK: B. HUGH BRADLEY
Director of Administration Margret Henderson
Address P.O. Drawer 1749, Wauchula, FL 33873

or 417 West Main Street, Room 214, Wauchula, FL 33873
Telephone (863) 773-4174
Fax Administration/Accounting (863) 773-4422
Civil/Family/Jury/Probate/Juvenile (863) 773-9636
Felony/Misdemeanor/Traffic (863) 773-9637
BCC Records/Recording/Marriage Lic/Passports (863) 773-3295
HENDRY COUNTY
Page 37
CLERK: BARBARA BUTLER
Secretary Anita Bischel
Address 25 Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle, FL 33935

Telephone (863) 675-5217
Fax (863) 675-5238
SUNCOM 735-4217
HERNANDO COUNTY
CLERK: KAREN NICOLAI
Administrative Services Manager Judy Korbus
Address 20 North Main Street, Room 130, Brooksville, FL 34601

Telephone - Office (352) 754-4206
Fax (352) 754-4239
SUNCOM 669-4201
HIGHLANDS COUNTY
CLERK: L. E. "LUKE" BROOKER
Administrative Assistant Teresa J. Burley
Senior Director Business Services Robert Jamison
Senior Director Court Services Robert Germaine
Address 590 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870-3867

Telephone (863) 402-6565
Fax (863) 402-6768
SUNCOM 718-6565
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
CLERK: PAT FRANK
Director of Clerk's Administration Rachel Diny
Address P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601

or County Center, 13th Flr., 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602
Telephone (813) 276-8100
Fax (813) 272-6518
SUNCOM 543-8100
HOLMES COUNTY
CLERK: CODY TAYLOR

Page 38
Chief Deputy Elizabeth A. Arnold
Address 201 N. Oklahoma St. Bonifay, FL 32425

Telephone (850) 547-1100
Fax (850) 547-6630
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
CLERK: JEFFREY K. BARTON
Chief Deputy Mary Louise Scheidt
Address 2000 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Telephone (772) 770-5185
Fax (772) 770-5008
SUNCOM 268-5160
JACKSON COUNTY
CLERK: DALE RABON GUTHRIE
Administrative Asst. / Chief Deputy Lynn Gosnell
Address 4445 Lafayette Street, Marianna, FL 32446

Telephone (850) 482-9552
Fax (850) 482-7849
SUNCOM 789-9552
JEFFERSON COUNTY
CLERK: KIRK REAMS
Address County Courthouse, Room 10, Monticello, FL 32344

Telephone (850) 342-0218 ext. 232
Fax (850) 342-0222
LAFAYETTE COUNTY
CLERK: RICKY LYONS
Administrative Assistant Annette Lawson
Court Supervisor Misty Shows
Finance Director Steve Land
Secretary Misty Shows
Address 120 West Main Street, Mayo, FL 32066

Telephone (386) 294-1600 ext 4230
Page 39
Fax (386) 294-4231
LAKE COUNTY
CLERK: NEIL KELLY (Ad Interim Clerk)
Administrative Assistant Donna Bowers
Address 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778-3115

Telephone (352) 742-4100-General Information
Fax (352) 742-4110-Executive Office
Fax (352) 742-4166-Courts Area/Traffic
Telephone (352) 742-4102-James C. Watkins, Clerk-Exec.Officer
LEE COUNTY
CLERK: CHARLIE GREEN
Executive Assistant Laura Bennett
Address P. O. Box 2469, Ft. Myers, FL 33902

or 1700 Monroe Street, Ft. Myers, FL 33901
Telephone (239) 533-5000 (main)
SUNCOM 726-2646 (main)
LEON COUNTY
CLERK: BOB INZER
Chief Deputy John Stott
Executive Assistant Cathy Mills
Address 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Telephone (850) 577-4000
Fax (850) 577-4013
LEVY COUNTY
CLERK: DANNY J. SHIPP
Chief Deputy/Administrative Asst. Sheila Rees
Secretary Ann Moody
Address 355 Court Street, Bronson, FL 32621

Telephone (352) 486-5266
Fax (352) 486-5166
SUNCOM 645-5276
LIBERTY COUNTY
Page 40
CLERK: ROBERT HILL
Chief Deputy Charla Kearce
Chief Deputy Kathleen E. Brown
Finance Officer Charla Kearce
Circuit Court Clerk Kathleen E. Brown
Clerk's Finance Stacey Roddenberry
Address P.O. Box 399, Bristol, FL 32321

Telephone (850) 643-2215 or (850) 643-2237
Fax (850) 643-2866
MADISON COUNTY
CLERK: TIM SANDERS
Address P.O. Box 237, Madison, FL 32341-0237

or 125 SW Range Avenue, Madison, FL 32340
Telephone (850) 973-1500 or (850) 973-8000
Fax (850) 973-3471
MANATEE COUNTY
CLERK: R. B. "CHIPS" SHORE
Administrative Assistant Kathy Fleming
Address P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206

or 1115 Manatee Avenue W., Bradenton, FL 34205
Telephone (941) 749-1800
Fax (941) 741-4082
SUNCOM 527-4400
MARION COUNTY
CLERK: DAVID R. ELLSPERMANN
Chief Deputy, Admin. Services John "Jack" Suess 352-671-5608
Chief Deputy, Court Mgmt. Maribeth Hudson 352-671-5607
Executive Assistant Peggy McClellan 352-671-5603
Address 110 N. W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475

Telephone (352) 671-5604
Fax (352) 671-5600
Page 41
SUNCOM 667-3300
MARTIN COUNTY
CLERK: MARSHA EWING
Executive Assistant Becky Brockschmitt
Administrative Services Manager Kathy Peterson
Address P.O. Drawer 9016, Stuart, FL 34995

or 100 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994
Telephone (772) 288-5576
Fax (772) 288-5548
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
CLERK: HARVEY RUVIN
Executive Assistant Michael Henderson (305) 349-7396
Chief Information Officer Clerk's Office Thomas G. James (305) 349-5758
Senior Deputy Clerk Barbara Fernandez (305) 349-5878
Senior Deputy Clerk William Oliver (305) 375-1138
Senior Deputy Clerk Ricky Schechtman (305) 548-5519
Senior Executive Secretary Willie Mae Bethel
Address 73 West Flagler Street, Suite 242, Miami, FL 33130

Telephone (305) 349-7333
Fax (305) 349-7403; (305) 349-7404
MONROE COUNTY
CLERK: DANNY L. KOLHAGE
Secretary Isabel Desantis
Address 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040

Telephone (305) 294-4641 ext. 3314
Fax (305) 295-3663
SUNCOM 474-3314
NASSAU COUNTY
CLERK: JOHN CRAWFORD

Page 42
Executive Assistant to the Clerk Joan Blanchard
Chief of Staff / Operations Jerry Greeson
Administrative Assistant Lori Gamble
Address 76347 Veterans Way, Yulee, FL 32097

Telephone (904) 548-4600
Fax (904) 548-4508
SUNCOM 848-5700
OKALOOSA COUNTY
CLERK: DON HOWARD
Chief Deputy Clerk Kathy Henley
Address 101 E. James Lee Blvd., Room 210, Crestview FL 32536

Telephone (850) 689-5000 or 850-651-7200
Fax (850) 689-5832
SUNCOM 698-5821
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
CLERK: SHARON ROBERTSON
Executive Assistant Wanda Shaffer
Address 312 N.W. 3rd Street, Okeechobee, FL 34974

Telephone (863) 763-2131
Fax (863) 763-1557
ORANGE COUNTY
CLERK: LYDIA GARDNER
Chief Administrative Officer Howard Tipton
Customer Services Administrator Carmen Velazquez
Court Operations Administrator Robert Houtman
Civil Service Administrator Deb Ivankow
Community Services Administrator Marlene Muscatello
Administrative Services Administrator Alphonso Jefferson
Assistant Administrative Officer Karl Goodwin

Page 43
Chief Information Officer Gino Butto
Director of Communications / Public Affairs Leesa Bainbridge
Legal Counsel Steve Carter
Senior Executive Assistant Nancy Juarez
Executive Assistant Mikki Castro
Executive Assistant Philippa Finegan
Address P.O. Box 4994, Orlando, FL 32802-4994

or 425 N. Orange Ave., Suite 2110, Orlando, FL 32801
Telephone (407) 836-2000
Fax (407) 836-2269
SUNCOM 356-2060
OSCEOLA COUNTY
CLERK: LARRY WHALEY
Chief Deputy Paul Persaud
Executive Administrator Kari Sinclair
Administrative Aides Stacy Switzer and Shannon Niedenthal
Address 2 Courthouse Square, Suite 2000, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Telephone (407) 343-3500
Fax (407) 343-3699
PALM BEACH COUNTY
CLERK & COMPTROLLER: SHARON BOCK
Executive Administrator Diana H. Johnson
Executive Assistant Nicole R. Blanton
Executive Administrator Assistant Nancie L. Morrison
Address P.O. Box 229, West Palm Beach, FL 33402

or 301 North Olive, 9th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Telephone (561) 355-2996
Fax (561) 355-6727
PASCO COUNTY
CLERK: JED PITTMAN

Page 44
Chief Deputy Clerk Paula O'Neil
Secretary Blanca Bonilla
Address 38053 Live Oak Ave., Dade City, FL 33523-3894

P.O. Drawer 338, New Port Richey, FL 34656-0338
Telephone (727) 847-2411 (Switchboard) New Port Richey
(352) 521-4274 (Switchboard) Dade City
SUNCOM 637-1156 - Dade City; 596-1011 - New Port Richey
PINELLAS COUNTY
CLERK: KEN BURKE
Office Administrator Karen Lamb
Address 315 Court Street, Room 400, Clearwater, FL 33756

Telephone: (727) 464-3341
FAX: (727) 464-4162
SUNCOM: 570-3341
POLK COUNTY
CLERK: RICHARD WEISS
Clerk's Assistant Kathy Hartley
Address P.O. Box 9000, Drawer CC-1, Bartow, FL 33831

or 255 N. Broadway, Bartow, FL 33830
Telephone (863) 534-4000
Fax (863) 534-4584
PUTNAM COUNTY
CLERK: TIM SMITH
Chief Deputy Kenny Downs
Administrative Assistant Charlotte Sellars
Address 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177

Telephone (386) 329-0361
Fax (386) 329-0888/0889
SUNCOM 869-0361
ST. JOHNS COUNTY
CLERK: CHERYL STRICKLAND
Chief Deputy George Lareau

Page 45
Administrative Assistant Lydia Simmons
Address 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32095

Telephone (904) 819-3600
Fax (904) 819-3661
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
CLERK: EDWIN M. FRY, JR.
Address 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34982

Telephone (772) 462-6900
Fax (772) 462-1614
SUNCOM 259-6900
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
CLERK: MARY M. JOHNSON
Chief Deputy--Finance Susan Jones Hoodless (850) 983-1951
Chief Deputy--Courts / IT Adair Cotton (850) 981-5536
Chief Deputy--Administration James Ward (850) 983-1977
Address 6495 Caroline St., Suite A, Milton, FL 32570

Telephone (850) 983-1974
Fax (850) 983-1986
SARASOTA COUNTY
CLERK: KAREN E. RUSHING
Chief Deputy Janet C. Cantees
Executive Assistant Sheryl Higginbotham
Senior Executive Secretary Theresa McCarthy
Address Sarasota County Courthouse, 2000 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34237

Telephone Court Director (941) 861-7609
All other inquiries (941) 861-7400
Fax (941) 861-7453
SEMINOLE COUNTY
CLERK: MARYANNE MORSE
Chief Deputy Robert N. Lewis

Page 46
Executive Assistant Haydee Ortiz
Special Assistants Tammy Lowe / Selene Worley
Address P.O. Box 8099, Sanford, FL 32772-8099

or 301 N. Park Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771-1243
Telephone (407) 665-4335
Fax (407) 330-7193
SUMTER COUNTY
CLERK: GLORIA R. HAYWARD
Executive Assistant Kathy Howton
Sr. Administrative Assistant Erin Munz
Address 209 North Florida Street, Bushnell, FL 33513

Telephone (352) 793-0211
Fax (352) 568-6608
SUNCOM 665-0215
SUWANNEE COUNTY
CLERK: KENNETH DASHER
Administrative Assistant/Criminal Courts Supervisor Pam Howland
Address 200 South Ohio Ave./Dr. MLK, Jr. Ave., Live Oak, FL 32064
Telephone (386) 362-0526
Fax (386) 362-0567
Suncom 889-0526
TAYLOR COUNTY
CLERK: ANNIE MAE MURPHY
Secretary Cindy Mock
Address 108 N. Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32347

Telephone (850) 838-3506
Fax (850) 838-3549
SUNCOM 282-3025 or 282-3026
UNION COUNTY
CLERK: REGINA H. PARRISH
Secretary Kim Riggs
Address 55 West Main Street, Union County Courthouse,

Page 47
Room 103 Lake Butler, FL 32054

Telephone (386) 496-3711
Fax (386) 496-1718
VOLUSIA COUNTY
CLERK: DIANE M. MATOUSEK
Address 101 N. Alabama Ave., Deland, FL 32724

Telephone (386) 822-5710 or (386) 736-5915
Fax (386) 822-5711
SUNCOM 377-5710
WAKULLA COUNTY
CLERK: BRENT X. THURMOND
Address 3056 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327

Telephone (850) 926-0905
Fax (850) 926-0938
WALTON COUNTY
CLERK: MARTHA INGLE
Administrative Supervisor Dori Cordle, 850- 892-8120
Address P.O. Box 1260 571, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

or 571 U.S. Hwy. 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Telephone (850) 892-8120
Fax (850) 892-8711
SunCom 676-8120
WASHINGTON COUNTY
CLERK: LINDA HAYES COOK
Address 1293 Jackson Ave., Chipley, FL 32428

Telephone (850) 638-6289
Fax (850) 638-6297
SUNCOM 769-6289
OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER
COMPTROLLER: MARTHA O. HAYNIE
Chief Deputy Jim Moye
Executive Assistant Joan Randolph
Executive Secretary Anne McAfee

Page 48
Legal Secretary Elizabeth Quinones
Address 201 S. Rosalind Ave., 4th Floor, Orlando, FL 32801

Telephone (407) 836-5690
Fax (407) 836-5599
Page 49
18 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.17 CLERK WEB SITES
http://www.flclerks.com/Clerk_webs.html
(Which includes Clerk's Directories)

Alachua http://www.alachuacounty.us/government/clerk/
Baker http://bakercountyfl.org/clerk/
Bay http://www.baycoclerk.com/
Bradford http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/bradfordclerk
Brevard http://199.241.8.125/
Broward http://www.clerk-17th-flcourts.org/
Calhoun http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/calhounclerk
Charlotte http://www.co.charlotte.fl.us/clrkinfo/clerk_default.htm
Citrus http://www.clerk.citrus.fl.us/nws/home.jsp?section=1&item=1
Clay http://clayclerk.com/
Collier http://www.collierclerk.com/
Columbia http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/columbiaclerk
Miami-Dade http://www.miami-dadeclerk.com/dadecoc/
Desoto http://www.desotoclerk.com/
Dixie http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/dixieclerk
Duval http://www.duvalclerk.com/ccWebsite/
Escambia http://www.escambiaclerk.com/
Flagler http://www.flaglerclerk.com/
Franklin http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/franklinclerk
Gadsden http://www.clerk.co.gadsden.fl.us/
Gilchrist http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/gilchristclerk
Page 50
Glades http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/gladesclerk
Gulf http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/gulfclerk
Hamilton ht-
tp://www.myfloridacounty.com/mfcTemplate/view.jsp?countyid=Hamilto
n
Hardee http://www.hardeeclerk.com/
Hendry http://www.hendryclerk.org/
Hernando http://www.clerk.co.hernando.fl.us/
Highlands http://www.hcclerk.org/
Hillsborough http://www.hillsclerk.com/publicweb/home.aspx
Holmes http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/holmesclerk
Indian River http://www.clerk.indian-river.org/
Jackson http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/jacksonclerk
Jefferson http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/jeffersonclerk
Lafayette http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/lafayetteclerk
Lake http://www.lakecountyclerk.org/
Lee http://www.leeclerk.org/
Leon http://www.clerk.leon.fl.us/
Levy http://www.levyclerk.com/
Liberty http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/libertyclerk
Madison http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/madisonclerk
Manatee http://www.manateeclerk.com/
Marion http://www.marioncountyclerk.org/public/
Martin http://clerk-web.martin.fl.us/ClerkWeb/
Nassau http://www.nassauclerk.com/
Okaloosa http://www.clerkofcourts.cc/
Okeechobee http://www.clerk.co.okeechobee.fl.us/
Orange http://www.myorangeclerk.com/
Orange Comptroller http://www.occompt.com/
Osceola http://www.osceolaclerk.com/
Palm Beach http://www.pbcountyclerk.com/
Pasco http://www.pascoclerk.com/
Pinellas ht-
tp://www.pinellasclerk.org/aspInclude2/ASPInclude.asp?pageName=index
.htm
Polk http://www.polkcountyclerk.net/
Putnam http://www1.putnam-fl.com/live/clkmain.asp
St. Johns http://www.clk.co.st-johns.fl.us/index.htm
St. Lucie http://www.slcclerkofcourt.com/
Page 51
Santa Rosa http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/santarosaclerk

Sarasota http://www.sarasotaclerk.com/
Seminole http://www.seminoleclerk.org/
Sumter http://www.sumterclerk.com/public/
Suwannee http://www.suwclerk.org/
Taylor http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/taylorclerk
Union http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/unionclerk
Volusia http://www.clerk.org/
Wakulla http://www.wakullaclerk.com/
Walton http://clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us/
Washington http://www2.myfloridacounty.com/wps/wcm/connect/washingtonclerk
Page 52
19 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.18 FLORIDA SHERIFFS' ADDRESSES, PHONE & FAX NUMBERS
COUNTY SHERIFF ADDRESS PHONE/FAX

ALACHUA P.O. Box 1210 (352) 367-4000
http://www.alachuasheriff.org Gainesville, FL 32602-1210 (352) 374-1801
BAKER 56 N. 2nd St. (904) 259-2231
http://bakercountyfl.org/bcso MacClenny, FL 32063-2206 (904) 259-4254
BAY 3421 N. Hwy. 77 (850) 747-4700
http://bayso.org Panama City, FL 32405-5009 (850) 784-0949
BRADFORD P.O. Box 400 (904) 966-6380
http://www.bradfordsheriff.org Starke, FL 32091-0400 (904) 966-6160
BREVARD 700 S. Park Ave., Bldg. J (321) 264-5201
http://www.sheriff.co.brevard.fl.us Titusville, FL 32780-4008 (321) 264-5360
BROWARD 2601 W. Broward Blvd. (954) 831-8900
http://www.sheriff.org Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312-1308 (954) 797-0936
CALHOUN 20776 Central Ave., E. (850) 674-5049
http://calhounsheriff.com Blountstown, FL 32424-2276 (850) 674-5586
CHARLOTTE 7474 Utilities Rd. (941) 639-2101
http://www.ccso.org Punta Gorda, FL 33982-2417 (941) 205-5627
ClTRUS 1 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. (352) 726-4488
http://www.sheriffcitrus.org Inverness, FL 34450-4968 (352) 726-5614
CLAY P.O. Box 548 (904) 284-7575
http://claysheriff.com Green Cove Springs, FL 32043-0548 (904) 284-0710
COLLIER 3301 E. Tamiami Tr., Bldg. J (239) 774-4434
http://colliersheriff.org Naples, FL 34112-4902
COLUMBIA 4917 E. US Hwy. 90 (386) 752-9212
http://www.columbiasheriff.com Lake City, FL 32055-6288 (386) 754-7001
DESOTO 208 E. Cypress St. (863) 993-4700
http://www.desotosheriff.com Arcadia, FL 34266-4410 (863) 993-4766
Page 53
DIXIE P.O. Box 470 (352) 498-1220

http://www.dixiecountysheriff.com/ Cross City, FL 32628-0470 (352) 498-1226
pages/1/index.htm
DUVAL 501 E. Bay St. (904) 630-2120
http://www.jaxsheriff.com Jacksonville, FL 32202-2927 (904) 630-2107
ESCAMBIA P.O. Box 18770 (850) 436-9630
http://www.escambiaso.com Pensacola, FL 32523-8770 (850) 436-9491
FLAGLER 1001 Justice Lane (386) 437-4116
http://www.myfcso.us/ Bunnell, FL 32110-4434 (386) 586-4811
FRANKLIN 270 State Road 65 (850) 670-8519
http://www.franklinsheriff.com/ Eastpoint, FL 32328-3616 (850) 670-8566
GADSDEN P.O. Box 1709 (850) 627-9233
http://gadsdensheriff.org/ Quincy, FL 32353-1709 (850) 875-8881
GILCHRIST 9239 South U.S. Hwy.129 (352) 463-3181
http://www.gilcso.org Trenton, FL 32693-5463 (352) 463-3183
GLADES 1995 East SR 78 NW (863) 946-1600
http://www.gladessheriff.org Moore Haven, FL 33471-H004 (863) 946-0845
GULF P.O. Box 970 (850) 227-1115
http://www.gulfsheriff.com/ Port St. Joe, FL 32457-0970 (850) 227-2097
HARDEE 900 E. Summit St. (863) 773-0304
http://www.hardeeso.com Wauchula, FL 33873-9606 (863) 773-4593
HENDRY 101 Bridge Street (863) 674-4060
http://www.hendrysheriff.org/ Labelle, FL 33975 (863) 674-4624
HERNANDO .P.O. Box 10070 (352) 754-6830
http://www.hcso.hernando.fl.us Brooksville, FL 34603-0070 (352) 799-4660
HIGHLANDS 434 Fernleaf Ave. (863) 402-7200
http://www.highlandssheriff.org/ Sebring, FL 33870-3720 (863) 402-7296
HILLSBOROUGH P.O. Box 3371 (813) 247-8000
http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us Tampa, FL 33601-3371 (813) 247-0980
HOLMES .211 N. Oklahoma St. (850) 547-4421
http://www.holmescosheriff.org/ Bonifay, FL 32425-2221 (850) 547-2290
INDIAN RIVER 4055 41st Ave. (772) 569-6700
http://www.ircsheriff.org Vero Beach, FL 32960-1802 (772) 569-8144
JACKSON P.O. Box 919 (850) 482-9624
ht- Marianna, FL 32447-0919 (850) 482-9017
tp://www.jcsheriff.com/index2.html
JEFFERSON 171 Industrial Park (850) 997-2523
Monticello, FL 32344-6385 (850) 997-0756
LAFAYETTE 231 NW Monroe Avenue (386) 294-1222
http://www.lafayettecountysheriffs Mayo, FL 32066 (386) 294-1190
office.com/
LAKE 360 W. Ruby St. (352) 343-9500
http://www.lcso.org Tavares, FL 32778-3826 (352) 343-9505
Page 54
LEE 14750 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy. (239) 477-1000

http://www.sheriffleefl.org Ft. Myers, 33912-4406 (239) 477-1030
LEON P.O. Box 727 (850) 922-3300
http://lcso.leonfl.org Tallahassee, FL 32302-0727 (850) 922-3337
LEVY P.O. Drawer 1719 (352) 486-5111
http://www.levyso.com Bronson, FL 32621-1719 (352) 486-5116
LIBERTY P.O. Box 67, Bristol, FL 32321-0067 (850) 643-2235
(850) 643-1191
MADISON 125 S.W. Range Ave., Rm. 107 (850) 973-4151
Madison, FL 32340-2499 (850) 973-8508
MANATEE 600 U.S. Hwy. 301 Blvd. W., #202 (941) 747-3011
ht- Bradenton, FL 34205 (941) 749-5401
tp://myfloridalegal.com/sheriff/manat
ee
MARION P.O. Box 1987 (352) 732-8181
http://www.marionso.com Ocala, FL 34478-1987 (352) 620-7209
MARTIN 800 S.E. Monterey Rd. (772) 220-7000
http://www.sheriff.martin.fl.us Stuart, FL 34994-4599 (772) 320-4747
MIAMI-DADE Miami-Dade Police Dept. (305) 471-2100
http://www.miamidade.gov/MDPD/ 9105 N.W. 25th St. (305) 471-2163
Miami, FL 33172-1500
MONROE 5525 College Rd. (305) 292-7000
http://www.keysso.net Key West, FL 33040-4307 (305) 292-7099
NASSAU 76001 Bobby Moore Circle (904) 225-0331
ht- Yulee, FL 32097-5452 (904) 225-0443
tp://www.nassaucountysheriff.com/
OKALOOSA 1250 Eglin Pkwy. (850) 651-7400
http://www.sheriff-okaloosa.org Shalimar, FL 32579-2307 (850) 609-3048
OKEECHOBEE P.O. Drawer 1397 (863) 763-3117
ht- Okeechobee, FL 34973-1397 (863) 763-6366
tp://www.sheriff.co.okeechobee.fl.us
ORANGE P.O. Box 1440 (407) 836-4357
http://www.ocso.com Orlando, FL 32802-1440 (407) 254-7014
OSCEOLA 2601 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. (407) 348-1100
http://www.osceolasheriff.org Kissimmee, FL 34744-4912 (407) 348-1115
PALM BEACH .P.O. Box 24681 (561) 688-3000
http://www.pbso.org West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4681 (561) 688-3033
PASCO .8700 Citizen Dr. (727) 847-5878
http://pascosheriff.com New Port Richey, FL 34654-5501 (727) 844-7742
PINELLAS P.O. Box 2500 (727) 582-6200
http://www.co.pinellas.fl.us/sheriff Largo, FL 33779-2500 (727) 582-6459
POLK 455 N. Broadway Ave. (863) 534-6200
http://www.polksheriff.org Bartow, FL 33830-3916 (863) 534-6390
PUTNAM P.O. Drawer 1578 (386) 329-0800
Page 55
http://www.putnamsheriff.org Palatka, FL 32178-1578 (386) 329-0448

ST. JOHNS 4015 Lewis Speedway, (904) 824-8304
http://www.sjso.org St. Augustine, FL 32084-8611 (904) 810-6782
ST. LUCIE 4700 W. Midway Rd. (772) 462-7300
http://www.stluciesheriff.com Ft. Pierce, FL 34981-4825 (772) 489-5851
SANTA ROSA .P.O. Box 7129 (850) 983-1100
http://www.santarosasheriff.org/ Milton, FL 32570-7129 (850) 983-1129
SARASOTA P.O. Box 4115 (941) 861-5800
http://www.sarasotasheriff.org Sarasota, FL 34230-4115 (941) 861-4062
SEMINOLE 100 Bush Blvd. (407) 665-6600
http://seminolesheriff.org Sanford, FL 32773-6706 (407) 665-6654
SUMTER .P.O. Box 188 (352) 793-0222
http://www.sumtercountysheriff.org/ Bushnell, FL 33513-0188 (352) 793-0220
SUWANNEE 200 S. Ohio Ave., Ste. 105 (386) 362-2222
http://www.suwanneesheriff.com/ Live Oak, FL 32064-3239 (386) 364-1953
TAYLOR 108 N. Jefferson St., Ste. 103 (850) 584-4225
http://www.taylorcountysherifffl. Perry, FL 32347-3252 (850) 584-7016
org/
UNION 55 W. Main St., Rm. 102 (386) 496-2501
http://www.unionsheriff.us Lake Butler, FL 32054-1654 (386) 496-3600
VOLUSIA P.O. Box 569 (386) 736-5961
http://volusia.org/sheriff DeLand, FL 32721-0569 (386) 822-5074
WAKULLA 15 Oak St. (850) 926-0800
http://www.wcso.org Crawfordville, FL 32327-2090 (850) 926-0896
WALTON P.O. Box 1388. (850) 892-8186
http://waltonso.org DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435-7388 (850) 892-8422
WASHINGTON P.O. Box 626 (850) 638-6111
http://www.wcso.us Chipley, FL 32428-0626 (850) 638-6168
Page 56
20 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.19 FLORIDA PROPERTY APPRAISERS
County Address E-mail/Phone/Fax/Website

Alachua P. O. Box 23817 E-mail: acpa@acpafl.org
12 SE First Street, Rm. 352-374-5230 352-374-5278
213 FAX
Gainesville, FL http://www.acpafl.org/
32602-3817
Baker 32 N 5th St, Ste B E-mail: bakerpa@bakercountyfl.org
MacClenny, FL 32063 904-259-3191
904-259-8221 FAX
http://bakercountyfl.org/pa/
Bay 650 Mulberry Ave E-mail: zspitzer@baypa.net
Panama City, FL 850-784-4095
32401-2672 850-784-6128 FAX ht-
tp://www.qpublic.net/bay/index.html
Bradford P.O. Box 250 E-mail: appraiser@bradfordappraiser.com
945 N Temple Ave 904-966-6216
Starke, FL 32091-0250 904-966-6167 FAX ht-
tp://www.bradfordappraiser.com/
Brevard P. O. Box 429 E-mail: appraiser@brevardpropertyappraiser.com
400 South St, 5th Fl 321-264-6700
Titusville, FL 32781-0429 321-264-5187 FAX ht-
tp://www.brevardpropertyappraiser.com/
Broward 115 S Andrews Ave, Rm. E-mail: lori@bcpa.net
111 954-357-6904
Ft Lauderdale, FL 954-357-8474 FAX http://www.bcpa.net
33301-1899
Calhoun 20859 E Central Ave, Rm. E-mail: tstone@gtcom.net
112 850-674-5636
Blountstown, FL 850-674-2419 FAX ht-
Page 57
32424-2288 tp://www.qpublic.net/calhoun/
Charlotte Murdock Admin Center E-mail: rp@ccappraiser.com
18500 Murdock Circle 941-743-1498
Port Charlotte, FL 941-743-1499 FAX
33948-1076 http://www.ccappraiser.com/default.asp
Citrus 210 N Apopka Ave, Ste. E-mail: ccpaweb@mail.pa.citrus.fl.us
200 352-341-6600
Inverness, FL 34450-4294 352-341-6660 FAX
http://www.pa.citrus.fl.us/
Clay P.O. Box 38 E-mail: wweeks@ccpao.com
477 Houston St 904-284-6305
Green Cove Springs, FL 904-284-2923 FAX
32043- http://www.ccpao.com/
0038
Collier 3285 Tamiami Trail East E-mail: sgarrett@collierappraiser.com
Naples, FL 34112-5758 239-252-8141
239-252-2071 FAX
http://www.collierappraiser.com
Columbia 135 NE Hernando Ave, Ste E-mail: coappr@ccpafl.com
238 386-758-2189
Lake City, FL 32025 386-758-2131 FAX
http://appraiser.columbiacountyfla.com/
Miami-Dade 111 NW 1st St, Ste 710 E-mail: pawebmail@miamidade.gov
Miami, FL 33128-1984 305-375-4008
305-375-3024 FAX
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/pa/
DeSoto P. O. Box 311 E-mail: appraiser@desotopa.com
201 E Oak St, Ste 102 863-993-4866
Arcadia, FL 34265-0311 863-993-4869 FAX
http://www.desotopa.com/
Dixie P.O. Box 260 E-mail: dxprop@mail.dms.state.fl.us
Courthouse, Cedar St & 352-498-1212
Barber 352-498-1211 FAX
Ave http://appraiser.dixie.fl.gov/
Cross City, FL
32628-0260
Duval 231 E Forsyth St, Rm. 270 E-mail: paadmin@coj.net
Jacksonville, FL 904-630-2014
32202-3375 904-630-2922 FAX
ht-
tp://www.coj.net/Departments/Property%20Appr
aiser/default.htm
Escambia 221 Palafox Place, Suite E-mail: chris_jones@co.escambia.fl.us
300 850-434-2735
Pensacola, FL 32502 850-435-9526 FAX
c http://www.escpa.org/
Page 58
Flagler P.O. Box 936 E-mail: pa@flaglerpa.com

1769 East Moody Blvd, 386-313-4150
Building 386-313-4151 FAX
2, Ste 201 http://www.flaglerpa.com/
Bunnell, FL 32110
Franklin 33 Market St, Ste 101 E-mail: skippervoo@yahoo.com
Apalachicola, FL 32320 850-653-9236
850-653-1861 FAX
http://www.qpublic.net/franklin/
Gadsden P.O. Box 585 E-mail: clayv.gadsdenpa@tds.net
3 South Calhoun St 850-627-7168
Quincy, FL 32353-0585 850-627-0396 FAX
http://www.qpublic.net/gadsden/
Gilchrist 112 S Main St, Rm 138 E-mail: dleggett@mail.co.gilchrist.fl.us
Trenton, FL 32693-0097 352-463-3190
352-463-3193 FAX
http://www.gcpaonline.net/
Glades P.O. Box 1106 E-mail: carmen@gladesflpa.com
US 27 & 6th St, Rm. 202 863-946-6025
Moore Haven, FL 33471 863-946-3359 FAX
http://www.gladesflpa.com/
Gulf 1000 Cecil G Costin Sr 850-229-6115
Blvd, 850-229-6661 FAX
Rm. 110 http://www.qpublic.net/gulf/
Port St Joe, FL 32456
Hamilton 207 NE 1st Street, Rm. E-mail: hamcopa@alltel.net
108 386-792-2791
Jasper, FL 32052-2000 386-792-0865 FAX
http://www.hamiltonpa.com/
Hardee 110 West Oak Street, #103 E-mail: kc.hardeepa@embarqmail.com
Wauchula, FL 33873 863-773-2196
863-773-0954 FAX
http://www.qpublic.net/hardee/
Hendry P.O. Box 1840 E-mail: appraiser@hendrypa.com
25 E Hickpochee Ave, Rm. 863-675-5270
A329 863-675-5254 FAX
Labelle, FL 33975-1840 http://www.hendryprop.com/
Hernando 201 Howell Ave, Ste 300 E-mail: pa@co.hernando.fl.us
Brooksville, FL 352-754-4190
34601-2041 352-754-4198 FAX
http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/pa/
Highlands 560 S Commerce Ave E-mail: esn@appraiser.co.highlands.fl.us
Sebring, FL 33870-3899 863-402-6659
863-402-6765 FAX
ht-
tp://www.appraiser.co.highlands.fl.us/index.shtml
Page 59
Hillsborough 601 E Kennedy Blvd, 16th E-mail: custserv@hcpafl.org

Fl 813-272-6100
Tampa, FL 33602 813-272-5519 FAX
http://www.hcpafl.org/www/index.shtml
Holmes 226 N Waukesha St. E-mail: holmespa@embarqmail.com
Bonifay, FL 32425 850-547-1113
850-547-2445 FAX
http://www.qpublic.net/holmes/
Indian River 1800 27th St, Building B E-mail: propertyappraiser@ircpa.org
Vero Beach, FL 32960 772-226-1469
772-770-5087 FAX
http://www.ircpa.org/
Jackson P.O Box 1526 E-mail: jcpa@wfeca.net
4445 Lafayette St, Rm. 850-482-9646
106 850-482-9036 FAX
Marianna, FL 32447-1526 http://www.qpublic.net/jackson/
Jefferson P.O. Box 63 E-mail: dwardpa@earthlink.net
150 N Jefferson St 850-997-3356
Monticello, FL 32345 850-997-0988 FAX
http://www.qpublic.net/jefferson/
Lafayette P.O. Box 6 E-mail: appraiser@LafayettePA.com
120 W Main St 386-294-1991
Mayo, FL 32066-0006f 386-294-1106 FAX
http://www.lafayettepa.com/
Lake P.O. Box 1027 E-mail: ehavill@lakecopropappr.com
317 W Main St, 3rd Fl 352-343-9748
Tavares, FL 32778-1027 352-343-9894 FAX
http://www.lakecopropappr.com/
Lee P.O. Box 1546 E-mail: wilkinsonk@leepa.org
2480 Thompson St 4th Fl 239-339-6100
Ft. Myers, FL 33902-1546 239-339-6160 FAX
http://www.leepa.org/
Leon P.O. Box 1750 E-Mail: admin@leonpa.org
Tallahassee, FL 850-488-6102
32302-1750 850-922-7238 FAX
315 South Calhoun Street http://www.leonpa.org/
Annex-3rd Fl
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Levy P.O. Box 277 E-mail: randyr@levypa.com
355 S Court St, Rm. 118 352-486-5222
Bronson, FL 32621-0100 352-486-5187 FAX
http://www.levypa.com/
Liberty P.O. Box 580 E-Mail: lcpa32321@yahoo.com
10818 NW SR 20, Court- 850-643-2279
house 850-643-4193 FAX
Bristol, FL 32321 http://www.qpublic.net/liberty/
Page 60
Madison 229 SW Pinckney Street, E-mail: info@madisonpa.com

Rm. 201 850-973-6133
Madison, FL 32340 850-973-8928 FAX
http://www.madisonpa.com/
Manatee P.O. Box 1338 E-mail: manateepao@mymanatee.org
915 W 4th Ave 941-748-8208
Bradenton, FL 34206-1338 941-742-5664 FAX
http://www.manateepao.com/Main/Home.aspx
Marion P.O. Box 486 E-mail: mcpa@pa.marion.fl.us
501 SE 25th Ave 352-368-8300
Ocala, FL 34478-0486 352-368-8336 FAX
http://www.pa.marion.fl.us/
Martin 1111 SE Federal Hwy. E-mail: info@pa.martin.fl.us
Suite 330 772-288-5608
Stuart, FL 34994 772-221-1346 FAX
http://paoweb.martin.fl.us/
Monroe P.O. Box 1176 E-mail: jknowles@mcpafl.org
500 Whitehead St 305-292-3404
Key West, FL 33041-1176 305-292-3501 FAX
http://www.mcpafl.org/
Nassau 96135 Nassau Place, Ste. 4 E-mail: g.haddock@nassauflpa.com
Yulee, FL 32097 904-491-7300
904-491-3629 FAX (Call First)
http://www.nassauflpa.com/
Okaloosa 151-D NE Eglin Pkwy E-mail: psmith@okaloosapa.com
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 850-651-7240
32548 850-651-7244 FAX
http://www.okaloosapa.com/
Okeechobee 307 NW 5th Ave, Ste A E-mail: w.taylor@okeechobeepa.com
Okeechobee, FL 34972 863-763-4422
863-763-4745 FAX
http://www.okeechobeepa.com/
Orange 200 S Orange Ave, Ste Email: bdonegan@ocpafl.org
1700 407-836-5055
Orlando, FL 32801-3438 407-836-5029 FAX
http://www.ocpafl.org/
Osceola P.O. Box 422366 E-mail: pafb@property-appraiser.org
Kissimmee, FL 34742 407-742-5000
2505 East Irlo Bronson 407-742-4900 FAX
Hwy http://www.property-appraiser.org/
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Palm Beach 301 N Olive Ave, 1st Fl E-Mail: http://www.pbcgov.com/papa
West Palm Beach, FL 561-355-2866
33401 561-355-3963 FAX
http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/papa/index.htm
Pasco P.O. Box 401 E-Mail: pamikewells@pascogov.com
Page 61
14236 6th St, Ste 101 352-521-4433

Dade City, FL 33526-0401 352-521-4411 FAX
http://www.appraiser.pascogov.com/
Pinellas P.O. Box 1957 E-mail: jsmith@pcpao.org
315 Court Street, 2nd Fl 727-464-3207
Clearwater, FL 727-464-3448 FAX
33757-1957 http://www.pcpao.org/
Polk 255 N Wilson Ave E-mail: marshafaux@polk-county.net
Bartow, FL 33830 863-534-4750
863-534-4754 FAX
http://www.polkpa.org/
Putnam P.O. Box 1920 E-mail: appraiser@putnam-fl.com
312 Oak St 386-329-0286
Palatka, FL 32178-1920 386-329-0447 FAX
http://www1.putnam-fl.com/live/pamain.asp
St. Johns 4030 Lewis Speedway, Ste E-mail: sjcpa@sjcpa.us
203 904-827-5500
St. Augustine, FL 32084 904-827-5580 FAX
http://www.sjcpa.us/
St. Lucie 2300 Virginia Ave., Rm. E-mail: furstj@co.st-lucie.fl.us
107 772-462-1000
Ft. Pierce, FL 34983 772-462-1055 FAX
http://www.paslc.org/
Santa Rosa P.O Box 606 E-mail: info@srcpa.org
6495 Caroline St, Ste K 850-983-1880
Milton, FL 32572-0606 850-983-1929 FAX
http://www.srcpa.org/
Sarasota 2001 Adams Ln. E-mail: appraiser@sarasotaproperty.org
Sarasota, FL 34237 941-861-8200
941-861-8260 FAX
http://www.sarasotaproperty.net/
Seminole 1101 E 1st St, Rm. 1201 E-mail: alice@scpafl.org
Sanford, FL 32771-1468 407-665-7506
407-665-7924 FAX
http://www.scpafl.org/scpaweb05/index.jsp
Sumter 209 N Florida Street E-mail: rhawkins@sumterpa.com
Bushnell, FL 33513 352-793-0210
352-793-0248 FAX
http://www.qpublic.net/sumter/
Suwannee 215 SW Pine Ave, Ste B E-mail: info@suwaneepa.com
Live Oak, FL 32064 386-362-1385
386-364-3531 FAX
http://www.suwanneepa.com/
Taylor P.O. Box 936 E-mail: taylorcountypa@yahoo.com
108 N Jefferson St, Ste 201 850-838-3511
Perry, FL 32348-0936 850-838-3545 FAX
Page 62
Union 55 W Main St E-mail: njones@unionpa.com

Courthouse, Rm. 109 386-496-3431
Lake Butler, FL 32054 386-496-2925 FAX
http://union.floridapa.com/
Volusia 123 W Indiana Ave, Rm. Email: morgang@co.volusia.fl.us
102 386-736-5901
Deland, FL 32720 386-822-5063 FAX
http://webserver.vcgov.org/index.html
Wakulla 3115-A Crawfordville E-Mail: info@mywakullapa.com
Hwy 850-926-0500
Crawfordville, FL 32327 850-926-6367
http://www.qpublic.net/wakulla/
Walton 571 US Highway 90 E E-mail: pilpatrick@co.walton.fl.us
DeFuniak Springs, FL 850-892-8123
32433 850-892-8374 FAX
http://www.waltonpa.com/
Washington P. O. Box 695 E-mail: gil.carter@washcofl.com
1331 S Blvd, Ste 300 850-638-6205
Chipley, FL 32428-0695 850-638-6027 FAX
http://www.qpublic.net/
washington/propertyappraiser.
html
Page 63
21 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1.20 FLORIDA TAX COLLECTORS
County Address Website/Phone/Fax

Alachua 12 S.E. 1st Street, Rm 109 http://www.actcfl.org
Gainesville, FL 32601-6882 352-374-5236
352-374-5281 FAX
Baker 32 North 5th St. http://bakercountyfl.org/taxcollector
MacClenny, FL 32063 904-259-2321
904-259-2279 FAX
Bay P.O. Box 2285 http://tc.co.bay.fl.us
648 Mulberry Ave. 850-784-4090
Panama City, FL 32402-2285 850-784-6180 FAX
Bradford P.O. Box 969 www.bradfordtaxcollector.com
945 N. Temple Ave., Ste B 904-966-6240
Starke, FL 32091-0969 904-964-9063 FAX
Brevard P.O. Box 2500 www.brevardtaxcollector.com
400 South St., 6th Flr 321-264-6930
Titusville, FL 32780-2500 321-264-6919 FAX
Broward Governmental Center Annex www.co.broward.fl.us/revenue
115 S. Andrews Ave. A100 954-357-7235
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-357-5731 FAX
Calhoun 425 E. Central Ave., Rm 107 www.calhouncountytaxcollector.com
Blountstown, FL 32424-0416 850-674-8242
850-674-5116 FAX
Charlotte 18500 Murdock Circle www.cctaxcol.com
Port Charlotte, FL 33948-1075 941-743-1350
941-743-1364 FAX
Citrus 210 N. Apopka Ave, Rm 100 www.tc.citrus.fl.us
Inverness, FL 34450-4298 352-341-6500
352-341-6526 FAX
Page 64
Clay P.O. Box 218 www.claycountytax.com

477 Houston Street 904-284-6320
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 904-284-6395 FAX
Collier 3301 E Tamiami Trail, Bldg C-1 www.colliertax.com
Naples, FL 34112-4997 239-252-8171
239-252-8852 FAX
Columbia 135 NE Hernando Ave, Ste. 125 www.columbiataxcollector.com
Lake City, FL., 32055-4006 386-758-1077
386-758-1340 FAX
Miami-Dade 140 W. Flagler St., 1st Flr www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/taxcollector
Miami, FL 33130 305-375-5452
305-375-4214 FAX
DeSoto P.O. Box 729 www.qpublic.net/dctc
201 E. Oak St., Ste 101 863-993-4861
Arcadia, FL 34265-0729 863-993-4863 FAX
Dixie P.O. Drawer 5040 ht-
214 NE 351 Hwy, Ste A tp://fl-dixie-taxcollector.governmax.com/i
Cross City, FL 32628-5040 ndex.html
352-498-1213
352-498-1259 FAX
Duval 231 E. Forsyth St., Rm 100 www.coj.net/default.htm
Jacksonville, FL 32202-3356 904-630-1916
904-630-1432 FAX
Escambia 213 Palafox Place, 1st Flr escambiataxcollector.
Pensacola, FL 32502 governmaxa.com/collectmax/
col-
lect30.asp?sid=041D75D6B82948519607
10
CA84ECEDF7
850-438-6500
850-434-2733 FAX
Flagler P.O. Box 846 www.flaglertax.com
200 E. Moody Blvd 386-437-7422
Bunnell, FL 32110 386-437-7426 FAX
Franklin P.O. Box 188 69.8.215.151/franklincounty
33 Market St., Ste 202 850-653-9323
Apalachicola, FL 32329-0188 850-653-2529 FAX
Gadsden P.O. Box 817 ht-
16 S. Calhoun Street tp://fl-gadsden-taxcollector.governmax.co
Quincy, FL 32353 m/index.html
850-627-7255
850-875-8722 FAX
Gilchrist P.O. Box 194 http://www.mygilchristcounty.com
112 S. Main Street 352-463-3178
Trenton, FL 32693-0194 352-463-3177 FAX
Glades P.O. Box 1589 ht-
Page 65
500 Avenue J, Rm 101 tp://www.mygladescountytaxcollector.co

Moore Haven, FL 33471-1589 m
863-946-6035/6036
863-946-3295 FAX
Gulf 100 Cecil G Costin Sr. Blvd, Rm http://www.gulfcountytaxcollector.com
100 850-229-6116
Port St. Joe, FL 32456 850-229-9224 FAX
Hamilton 207 NE 1st Avenue, Rm 104 ht-
Jasper, FL 32052 tp://www.hamiltoncountytaxcollector.com
386-792-1284
386-792-0878 FAX
Hardee P.O. Box 445 ht-
110 W. Oak St., Rm 102 tp://www.hardeecountytaxcollector.com
Wauchula, FL 33873-0445 863-773-9144
863-773-9679 FAX
Hendry P.O. Box 1780 ht-
25 E. Hickpochee Avenue tp://www.hendrytaxcollector.com/index.h
LaBelle, FL 33975-1780 tml
863-675-5280
863-674-4087 FAX
Hernando 20 N. Main Street, Rm 112 http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/tc
Brooksville, FL 34601-2892 352-754-4180
352-754-4189 FAX
Highlands 540 S. Commerce Avenue http://www.hctaxcollector.com
Sebring, FL 33870-3867 863-402-6685
863-402-6709 FAX
Hillsborough 601 E. Kennedy Blvd, 14th Flr http://www.hillstax.org
Tampa, FL 33602-4931 813-635-5200
813-612-6709 FAX
Holmes 224 N. Waukesha St. ht-
Bonifay, FL 32425 tp://www.holmescountytaxcollector.com
850-547-1116
850-547-0202 FAX
Indian River P.O. Box 1509 http://www.irctax.com
Vero Beach, FL 32961-1509 772-567-8000 x 1395
772-770-5009 FAX
Jackson P.O. Box 697 ht-
4445 Lafayette Street, Ste.107 tp://www.jacksoncountytaxcollector.com
Marianna, FL 32447 850-482-9653
850-526-3821 FAX
Jefferson 170 N. Jefferson Street ht-
Monticello, FL 32344 tp://www.jeffersoncountytaxcollector.com
850-342-0147/0148
850-342-0149 FAX
Lafayette P.O. Box 96 http://www.lafayettetc.com
Mayo, FL 32066-0096 386-294-1961
Page 66
386-294-2462 FAX
Lake P.O. Box 327 http://www.laketax.com
317 W. Main St, 2nd Flr 352-343-9740
Tavares, FL 32778-0327 352-343-9538 FAX
Lee P.O. Box 850 http://www.leetc.com/home.asp
2480 Thompson St., 1st Flr 239-339-6000
Ft. Myers, FL 33902-0850 239-339-6160 FAX
Leon P.O. Box 1835 http://www.leontaxcollector.net
301 S. Monroe Street Rm. 112 850-488-4735
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1835 850-410-2562 FAX
Levy P.O. Box 70 levytax@circuit8.org
365 S. Court St., Rm 202 ht-
Bronson, FL 32621-0070 tp://fl-levy-taxcollector.governmax.com/i
ndex.html
352-486-5174
352-486-5175 FAX
Liberty P.O. Box 400 ht-
10818 NW SR 20 tp://www.qpublic.net/liberty/index-search
Bristol, FL 32321-0400 .html
850-643-2442
850-643-3755 FAX
Madison 229 SW Pickney St., Rm 102 ht-
Madison, FL 32340-2424 tp://www.madisoncountytaxcollector.com
850-973-6136
850-973-3116 FAX
Manatee P.O. Box 25300 http://www.taxcollector.com
819 301 Boulevard West 941-741-4800
Bradenton, FL 34206-5300 941-741-3584 FAX
Marion P.O. Box 970 http://www.mariontax.com
503 S.E. 25th Avenue 352-368-8200
Ocala, FL 34478-0970 352-368-2979 FAX
Martin 3485 SE Willoughby Blvd. http://taxcol.martin.fl.us/ws
Stuart, FL 34994 772-288-5600
772-221-1461 FAX
Monroe P.O. Box 1129 http://www.monroetaxcollector.com
1200 Truman Ave., Ste 101 305-295-5010
Key West, FL 33041-1129 305-295-5022 FAX
Nassau James S. Page Governmental Com- http://www.nassauclerk.
plex org/index.cfm?FuseAction=
96135 Nassau Place, Suite 5 Departments.Home&
Yulee, FL 32097 Department_id=33
904-491-7405
904-261-3336 FAX
Okaloosa 151-C NE Eglin Pkwy http://www.okaloosatax.com
Ft. Walton, FL 32548 850-651-7617
850-651-7609 FAX
Page 67
Okeechobee 307 N.W. 5th Avenue, Ste B ht-

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2571 tp://www.okeechobeecountytaxcollector.c
om
863-763-3421
863-763-2426 FAX
Orange Suntrust Center http://www.octaxcol.com
200 S. Orange Ave., Ste 1500 407-836-2709
Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2730 FAX
Osceola P.O. Box 422105 http://www.osceolataxcollector.com
2501 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial 407-742-4000
Hwy. 407-742-4036 FAX
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Palm Beach P.O. Box 3715 http://www.pbcgov.com/tax
301 N Olive Ave., 3rd Flr 561-355-2264
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-3715 561-355-4123 FAX
Pasco P.O. Box 276 http://www.pascotaxes.com
14236 6th Street, Rm 100 B 352-521-4360
Dade City, FL 33526-0276 352-521-4311 FAX
Pinellas P.O. Box 1729 http://www.taxcollect.com
315 Court Street, 3rd Flr 727-562-3262
Clearwater, FL 33757-1729 727-562-3261 FAX
Polk P.O. Box 1189 http://www.polktaxes.com
430 E. Main Street 863-534-4700
Bartow, FL 33831-1189 863-534-4717 FAX
Putnam P.O. Box 1339 http://www.putnam-fl.com/txc
312 Oak Street 386-329-0274
Palatka, FL 32178-1339 386-329-0886 FAX
St. Johns P.O. Box 9001 http://www.sjctax.co.st-johns.fl.us
4030 Lewis Speedway B 904-209-2280
St. Augustine, FL 32085-9001 904-209-2283 FAX
St. Lucie P.O. Box 308 http://www.tcslc.com/home/default.asp
2300 Virginia Avenue 772-462-1650
Ft. Pierce, FL 34954-0308 772-462-2101 FAX
Santa Rosa P.O. Box 7100 http://srctc.com
6495 Caroline Street 850-983-1800
Milton, FL 32572-7100 850-983-1757 FAX
Sarasota 101 S. Washington Blvd., 2nd Flr http://www.sarasotataxcollector.com
Sarasota, FL 34236 941-861-8300
941-861-8338 FAX
Seminole P.O. Box 630 http://www.seminoletax.org
1101 E. First Street, Rm 1200 407-665-1000
Sanford, FL 32772-0630 407-665-7603 FAX
Sumter 209 North Florida Street, Ste 1 http://www.sumtertaxcollector.com
Bushnell, FL 33513 352-793-0260
352-793-0262 FAX
Page 68
Suwannee 215 Pine Ave., Ste A ht-

Live Oak, FL 32064 tp://www.suwanneecountytax.com/index.
html
386-364-3430
386-364-3713 FAX
Taylor P.O. Box 30 http://www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com
108 N. Jefferson Street 850-838-3517
Perry, FL 32348-0030 850-838-3518 FAX
Union Union County Courthouse, Rm 108 http://www.unioncountytaxcollector.com
55 W. Main Street 386-496-3331
Lake Butler, FL 32054 386-496-1842 FAX
Volusia 123 W. Indiana Ave., Rm 103 ht-
Deland, FL 32720-4602 tp://www.volusia.org/finance/revenue.htm
386-736-5938 x 2329
386-626-6584 FAX
Wakulla P.O. Box 280 ht-
202 Ochlocknonee Street tp://www.wakullacountytaxcollector.com
Crawfordville, FL 32326-0280 850-926-3371
850-926-2035 FAX
Walton 571 US Highway 90 East http://www.waltontaxcollector.com
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 850-892-8121
850-892-8079 FAX
Washington P.O. Box 1038 http://www.washcofl.com
1331 S. Boulevard, Ste 101 850-638-6275/6276
Chipley, FL 32428-1038 850-638-6067 FAX
Page 69
22 of 33 DOCUMENTS
Section 1A A STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
1-Section 1A The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries Section 1A.syn
§ Section 1A.syn Synopsis to Chapter Section 1A: A STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Scope
Preface
Acknowledgments
OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
A. THE WAITING AREA:
B. TELEPHONE CALLS:
C. WORK PRODUCT:
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
A. LEGAL AUTHORITY GOVERNING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION:
B. CONFIDENTIAL TELEPHONE CALLS:
C. CONFIDENTIAL WORK PRODUCT:
D. CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CLIENT:
E. CONSENT:
F. CLIENT DISADVANTAGE:
G. PERSONAL ADVANTAGE:
H. KEEPING FULLY INFORMED:

Page 70
I. AVOIDING CONFLICTS:
J. DICTATION EQUIPMENT:
K. USE OF THE SPEAKER PHONE:
L. USE OF THE CELL PHONE:
M. MORE TIPS TO ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY
ON THE JOB
A. UNLICENSED PRACTICE OF LAW (UPL):
B. PREVENTING UPL:
C. DUTIES ONLY LAWYERS MAY PERFORM:
D. SUPPORT STAFF SHALL NOT ACT IN MATTERS INVOLVING PROFESSIONAL LEGAL JUDGMENT:
E. CLIENT ASSISTANCE:
F. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO CLIENT:
G. DELEGATED TASKS:
H. PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS:
I. ATTAINMENT OF THE ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IMPOSED BY STATUTE OR RULE OF COURT:
J. AVOIDANCE OF CONDUCT WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE LAWYER TO BE UNETHICAL OR EVEN TO

APPEAR TO BE UNETHICAL:
K. JUROR CONTACT:
L. FEES:
M. SUBSTANCE ABUSE:
N. DISCRIMINATION:
O. SOLICITATION:
P. EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS:
Q. COMMUNICATING WITH OPPOSING PARTIES:
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Page 71
A. THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD ATTITUDE:
B. CLIENT POSTURING:
C. USING YOUR PHONE:
D. KEEP YOUR OPINION TO YOURSELF:
E. NEGATIVITY:
F. WHEN TO REPORT IT:
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
A. EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND WORK EXPERIENCE
B. TIME AND BILLING RECORDS:
C. MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT:
D. DELIVERY OF QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM:
E. AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
F. USE OF YOUR TITLE:
CHANGING JOBS
A. NO COMPROMISING INFLUENCE:
B. UNETHICAL CONDUCT--YOUR ATTORNEY:
C. UNETHICAL CONDUCT--PREVIOUS OFFICE:
D. SEE ''AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST,''
E. POSSIBLE CONFLICTS
F. OBSERVE THE ETHICAL WALL:
G. CLIENT CONTACT:
Scope
USE THE FLORIDA BAR
A. OATH OF ADMISSION TO THE FLORIDA BAR
B. THE FLORIDA BAR CREED OF PROFESSIONALISM

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C. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FLORIDA BAR
D. SMALL ROCKS:
DEFINITIONS
SOURCES
A. SOURCES USED IN PREPARATION OF THIS STANDARD:
B. RECOMMENDED WEBSITES:
C. YOUR LIST:
IN CLOSING
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23 of 33 DOCUMENTS
1-Section 1A The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries
Preface
From the creation of the Declaration of Independence to the dawning of each new day, the freedoms we enjoy have
been and will be governed by the laws of this great nation. The interpretation and enforcement of those laws are steeped
in centuries of practice and tradition. Without the support of the professional ethics embraced by every person working
in the legal field, our laws would not be worth the paper they are written on.
The inspired professionalism, dedication to professional ethics, and warm fellowship that was the memberships of the
St. Petersburg Legal Secretaries Association, the Florida Association of Legal Secretaries, and the National Association
of Legal Secretaries, ''professional ethics'' might have been mere words without true meaning. For many, the excellent
example of associations such as these is the first real contact with professional ethics among peers.
The membership of the Florida Association of Legal Support Specialists, Inc. (''FALSS'') has achieved its lofty goal of
promoting awareness among legal support staff of the principles of professional ethics by offering A Standard of
Professional Ethics For Legal Support Staff for your consideration.
______________________
Note:
Use of any specific gender in any item of this chapter is not intended to offend. The content is intended
to be gender-neutral.
Acknowledgments
I would like to express my gratitude to The Florida Bar and, in particular, to Paul F. Hill, General Counsel; John A.
Boggs, Director of the Bar's Legal Division; Elizabeth Tarbert, the Bar's Ethics Counsel, and Mary Ellen Bateman, the
Bar's UPL Counsel, for their review of A Standard of Professional Ethics For Legal Support Staff. Their
recommendations were all included in the Standard.
A special word of thanks to Dr. Jo Ann Hopkins, attorney, of the applied Ethics Department of St. Petersburg Junior
College, whose excellent seminar on the unlicensed practice of law and professional ethics, sponsored by the St.
Petersburg Association of Legal Support Specialists, planted the seed for A Standard of Professional Ethics for Legal
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Support Staff.
Thanks also to Florida Association of Legal Support Specialists, Inc. (''FALSS'') member Treva McDonald, for sharing
model codes of ethics for paralegal associations with whom she is acquainted; to Melinda M. Goodall, daughter of
FALSS and St. Petersburg Association of Legal Support Specialists (''SPALSS'') member Ginger Goodall, CPS, PLS,
for sharing her paper and research on the ''Code of Ethics of the American Dietetic Association''; and to the St.
Petersburg Bar Association, for sharing seminar materials from their seminar entitled ''Ethics and Beyond: A
Comprehensive Review.''
Finally, heart-felt thanks are extended to the memberships of SPALSS and FALSS, who, by excellent example of
professionalism and dedication to advancement of professional ethics and quality legal education for legal support staff
of the State of Florida, continue to serve the field of law as we begin our journey into the twenty-first century.
--Donna Shulmister, PLS

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24 of 33 DOCUMENTS
OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
Read this first section of this Standard, then walk around your office and note where changes might need to be made.
This will be your opportunity to note the excellent examples of professional ethics practiced within your own office that
will improve the Standard. You may send your suggestions to FALSS at the address noted on the back cover.
A. THE WAITING AREA: There should be a distance between workstations and the waiting area for clients,
attorneys, salespersons, delivery persons, repairpersons, the media, anyone who frequents the office.
B. TELEPHONE CALLS: Make certain workstations are a comfortable distance from common areas where
clients, attorneys, salespersons, delivery persons, repairpersons, the media, anyone who frequents the office so they will
not be able to overhear what is being said.
C. WORK PRODUCT: Ensure that your work product is handled carefully.
1. Protection of hard copy information: To keep anyone walking up to your workstation from seeing
confidential material, turn a page, or give those materials a blank cover sheet.
2. Computer Screen: Use a glare guard for your monitor that makes it impossible for anyone not sitting
directly in front of the screen to see what is on it.
3. Leaving Your Desk: Should you be called away from your desk, even momentarily, do not leave
confidential material on your desk or on your monitor where others might walk up and see it.
4. Using the Office Copier: Do not leave confidential material running unattended on the office copier.
If you must walk away, either leave an authorized person in charge of the job, or stop the job and take
the material with you.
5. Drafts: Confidential material must always be handled carefully. Once a draft has lost its usefulness, it
cannot be left unattended or carelessly discarded. Consult or create an office policy that sets forth the
proper method of disposal for confidential materials.
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25 of 33 DOCUMENTS
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
All confidential information provided by the client or acquired from other sources before, during, and after the course of
the professional relationship must be preserved.
A. LEGAL AUTHORITY GOVERNING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: Be aware of and abide by all

legal authority governing confidential information in the jurisdiction in which your office practices. [Check the indices
of the Florida Statutes and The Florida Bar Journal which refer to confidentiality. See also, Section 9 of this Standard,
''Sources.'']
B. CONFIDENTIAL TELEPHONE CALLS: Clients, attorneys, salespersons, delivery persons, repair persons,
the media, anyone who frequents the office should not be made a party to confidential telephone calls originating from
any workstation or office by virtue of being able to overhear what is said. It is a simple matter to close a door.
C. CONFIDENTIAL WORK PRODUCT: Care must be taken to keep clients, attorneys, salespersons, delivery
persons, repair persons, the media, anyone who frequents your workstation from seeing confidential work within your
environment.
D. CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CLIENT: Whenever you speak with a client on
matters of a confidential nature, you should remove the client from the public environment of the office and afford the
client the privacy required for the conversation.
E. CONSENT: You may reveal confidential information only after full disclosure, with the consent of the
attorney in charge of the file, and with the client's written consent; or, when required by law or court order; or, when
necessary to prevent the client from committing an act that could result in death or serious bodily harm.
F. CLIENT DISADVANTAGE: You must never use confidential information to your client's disadvantage.
G. PERSONAL ADVANTAGE: You may never use confidential information to your own personal advantage or
that of a third person.
H. KEEPING FULLY INFORMED: You must keep the individuals in your office responsible for the legal
representation of a client fully informed of any confidential information you may have pertaining to that client.
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I. AVOIDING CONFLICTS: Do not engage in any communications concerning clients with friends, family, or
others within your office. You can never be certain when a conflict may arise. [See ''ethical wall,'' in Section 8,
''Definitions.'']
J. DICTATION EQUIPMENT: Do not use your hand-held dictation equipment where there is a possibility of
disclosure of confidential material. Remember, others can overhear you. If you have a private office, close the door. If
dictating ''on the run,'' be constantly aware of situations that might compromise the confidentiality of information.
K. USE OF THE SPEAKER PHONE: Do not use the speaker phone unless you have a private office and can
close the door. Private messages are easily overheard in an open office.
L. USE OF THE CELL PHONE: Do not provide confidential information over a cell phone. There are scanners
that will pick up confidential conversations, and information which cannot ethically be shared with outside parties may
be disclosed.
M. MORE TIPS TO ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY
1. Use case numbers instead of names.
2. Consider shredding unused drafts.
3. Do not allow unauthorized personnel near files.
4. Place passwords on all computers.
5. Use extra security against theft of notebook computers and the information contained therein.
6. Use extra security against theft of dictation equipment and/or tapes and the information contained
therein.
7. Do not send confidential information over a fax machine if it can be avoided. Overnight delivery is
preferred to maintain confidentiality. If you must fax, be sure ''Confidential'' is stamped on every page
and provide notice of the confidentiality of the document.
8. Never talk about cases in public places, i.e., walking down a common hall, elevators, etc., even with
coworkers. This applies even when you do not use actual names of clients.
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26 of 33 DOCUMENTS
ON THE JOB
The application and interview process of finding that great job you now hold should have made the technical parameters
of your position pretty clear. As involvement in the job progresses, you are given instruction. You know what is
expected. The legal field is unique in that it is as important to know the ethical parameters of your job as well as you
know the technical. Consider the following carefully:
A. UNLICENSED PRACTICE OF LAW (UPL): Support staff must never perform the unlicensed practice of
law and must comply with all applicable legal authority governing the unlicensed practice of law in the jurisdiction in
which you work.
The Florida Bar defines ''UPL'' as: ''the practice of law, as prohibited by statute, court rule, and case law of the State of
Florida.'' [See ''Rules Governing the Investigation and Prosecution of the Unlicensed Practice of Law,'' Ch. 10, in the
annual directory of The Florida Bar Journal.] Among the duties defined as UPL are:
1. Accepting cases;
2. Setting fees;
3. Giving legal advice; and
4. Court appearances (unless otherwise authorized by court or agency rules).
See also Rule 4-5.3,''Responsibilities Regarding Non-Lawyer Assistants,'' from Rules of Professional Conduct, Florida
Bar Association, which states:
''With respect to a non-lawyer employed or retained by or associated with a lawyer: (a) a partner in a
law firm shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the firm has in effect measures giving reasonable
assurance that the person's conduct is compatible with the professional obligations of the lawyer.''
If you have any doubt as to whether any duty might be considered the unlicensed practice of law, you should consult
your attorney or, absent that option, the proper authority [as defined in Section 8, ''Definitions.'']
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B. PREVENTING UPL: Support staff must assist in preventing the unauthorized practice of law. If you feel you
are being asked to perform UPL, speak with your employer to better define your professional limitations regarding the
work.
C. DUTIES ONLY LAWYERS MAY PERFORM: Support staff may not perform any of the duties that
lawyers only may perform. Whenever in doubt about an assigned responsibility, consult your employer.
D. SUPPORT STAFF SHALL NOT ACT IN MATTERS INVOLVING PROFESSIONAL LEGAL

JUDGMENT: In the public interest, the services of a lawyer are essential whenever the exercise of professional legal
judgment is required.
E. CLIENT ASSISTANCE: Legal support staff must act reasonably in determining the extent to which a client
may be assisted without the presence of a lawyer. If there is any doubt as to an action, you should consult your
employer.
F. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO CLIENT: Should a client call upon you to bring him up to date on
his file or give him other privileged information that it is only the attorney's place to give, you must advise him that to
do so would be considered rendering legal advice and that it is a matter he must speak to his attorney about. ''It is in
your best interest'' is a truthful statement that can help to ease you out of the hot seat while keeping you in the good
graces of the client.
G. DELEGATED TASKS: Legal support staff may perform tasks delegated and supervised by a lawyer, so long
as the lawyer is responsible to the client, maintains a direct relationship with the client, and assumes full professional
responsibility for the work product.
H. PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS: It is unethical for support staff to violate any statute now in effect or
hereafter to be enacted controlling privileged communications. It is your duty to protect the confidences of all clients.
You must not discuss the facts of a case with your friends, your family, or others within the office. [See the ''ethical
wall,'' Section 8, ''Definitions.'']
I. ATTAINMENT OF THE ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IMPOSED BY STATUTE OR RULE OF

COURT: It is the duty of support staff to do all things incidental, necessary, or expedient for the attainment of the
ethics and responsibilities imposed by statute or rule of court.
J. AVOIDANCE OF CONDUCT WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE LAWYER TO BE UNETHICAL OR

EVEN TO APPEAR TO BE UNETHICAL: Loyalty to the employer is crucial for support staff in the legal field. It is
your obligation to avoid conduct which would cause the lawyer to be unethical or even to appear to be unethical.
K. JUROR CONTACT: Should your duties bring you to the courthouse when trial is in session, you must at all
times avoid any contact with jurors. They are easily identified by the buttons or badges they wear, which are printed
with the word ''JUROR.'' This falls within the purview of impropriety. You want to avoid even the appearance of
impropriety.
L. FEES: A lawyer or law firm shall not share legal fees with a non-lawyer. For exceptions, see Rule 4-5.4
''Professional Independence of a Lawyer,'' Rules of Professional Conduct, Florida Bar Association.
M. SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Members of legal support staff shall not engage in any form of substance abuse. This
could interfere with judgment in a work environment where good judgment is a critical factor in the proper performance
of your job. Not only is it hazardous to your health, but when revealed, it reflects poorly on the office.
N. DISCRIMINATION: All members of legal support staff shall avoid discrimination against other individuals
on the basis of race, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical impairment, and national origin.
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Discrimination in all forms is discouraged.
O. SOLICITATION: Neither an attorney nor his support staff shall solicit professional employment from a
prospective client with whom there is no family or prior professional relationship, in person or otherwise, when a
significant motive for doing so is pecuniary gain.
P. EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: You should not engage in any ex parte communications involving the
courts or any other adjudicatory body in an attempt to exert undue influence or to obtain advantage or the benefit of
only one party.
Q. COMMUNICATING WITH OPPOSING PARTIES: You should not communicate, or cause another to
communicate, with a party known to be represented by a lawyer in a pending matter without the prior consent of the
lawyer representing such other party.
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27 of 33 DOCUMENTS
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Support Staff are the front line of the office, often the first contact with clients, attorneys, and the court, as well as
people who interact with the office. Support staff outnumber attorneys and officers of the court; therefore, the
professionalism, courtesy, and the professional ethics you practice each day can make the best or worst impression on
the general perception of the legal office. Consider the following:
A. THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD ATTITUDE: Professional courtesy would dictate that you do not share
a bad mood with either office personnel or anyone you might come in contact with during the course of your day.
Studies show that one person with a bad attitude can affect the morale of five people around them.
B. CLIENT POSTURING: Do not argue with the client.
C. USING YOUR PHONE: Your phone is an extension of your office. You spend a large part of your day using
it. The ''face'' you present to clients and the public establishes their impression of the professionalism of your office.
Polish your voicemail skills until they shine.
1. General Guidelines:
a. ALWAYS RETURN CALLS within a reasonable length of time.
b. Answer within 3 rings.
c. Put a smile in your voice to assure confidence in the office.
d. Give them your name and ask ''How may I assist you?''
e. If you must place a caller on hold, always ask ''Can you hold?'' and wait for a response.
f. Take ownership of any call that must be transferred:

i. Call the number of the person you are attempting to transfer to, let them know you
have a call, and give them an opportunity to accept or decline the call at this time.
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ii. If the party cannot take the call at this time, take the name and phone number of the
caller, assuring them their call will be returned at the earliest possible opportunity.
2. Phone Messages--Using Your Phone:
a. Do not say you are on the phone or away from your desk; callers realize this when they reach your
message. Be polite, be brief, and be clear on your message.
b. If you must be away for an extended period of time, include an appropriate time to call back.
c. In an extended absence, remember to provide an alternate number that can be used for urgent calls.
d. Put a smile in your voice to make your message welcoming.
e. Change your messages regularly so people know when you are in the office or out of town.
3. Leaving a Message:
a. Speak S--L--O--W--L--Y. With area codes and extensions, some messages require writing down as
many as 14 numbers. This can be a challenge if the caller speaks too rapidly.
b. Spell out names if calling for the first time or if the name is unusual.
c. Indicate your name and number at the beginning and again at the end of the message.
d. Leave a brief summary of the message. Is it a question, concern, information for the recipient, or a
call back?
e. If you receive a message, respond with the appropriate action, thus saving time, energy, and repeated
calls.
f. Keep your messages brief. Mailboxes fill up quickly, especially if someone is on a trip.
D. KEEP YOUR OPINION TO YOURSELF: Do not express negative opinions of staff, clients, opposing
counsel, or those with whom you have outside contact in the course of business. As a professional, your opinion is more
highly valued than you may know, and a casual comment could influence a delicate situation unfairly. Hold your
opinion until you are asked for it.
E. NEGATIVITY: Unkind remarks made in anger have no place in the office environment. Always try to make a
positive impression.
F. WHEN TO REPORT IT: When a situation in the office proves intolerable, the correct person, as identified by
office policy or the office policy manual, should be notified. Do not use a bad situation as an opportunity to spread
dissatisfaction and negativity throughout the office. Follow procedure.
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28 of 33 DOCUMENTS
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
It is the duty of legal support staff to work continually to maintain a high degree of competency. Consider the
following:
A. EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND WORK EXPERIENCE
1. Continuing Legal Education: To keep the legal system viable in a rapidly changing world, you should
keep up to date with current legal, technical, and technological developments. Participate in legal
education in the form of specialized seminars presented by FALSS and other professional associations.
Share the forms and materials you receive at these seminars with the people in your office who were not
able to attend. Your entire office will benefit. Attend classes at local colleges. Indulge yourself by going
to one of those large bookstores with a coffee shop inside. Find personal reading that is not only
entertaining, but will expand your job knowledge.
2. Perform All Assignments Promptly and Efficiently: Make it a personal goal to stay on top of the
workload. If this is not possible, be sure to prioritize your work with the help of the person(s) generating
the work. Then consult with your immediate supervisor, for needed help.
3. Maintenance of a High Level of Personal And Professional Integrity: Each member of the support
staff of a legal office is expected to maintain a high level of professional and personal integrity.
B. TIME AND BILLING RECORDS: It is your duty to ensure that all timekeeping and billing records prepared
are thorough, accurate, honest, and complete.
1. Fraudulent Billing Practices: You should never knowingly engage in fraudulent billing practices.
These practices may include, but are not limited to: inflation of hours billed to a client or employer,
misrepresentation of the nature of tasks performed, and submission of fraudulent expense and
disbursement documentation.
2. Accurate Accounting: You are expected to be scrupulous, thorough and honest in the identification
and maintenance of all funds, securities, and other assets of a client and to provide accurate accounting,
as appropriate.
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3. Contemporaneous Time Records: Keep accurate and contemporaneous time records. This will
provide evidence of work performed on the case.
4. Fraudulent Acts: You may advise the proper authority [see Section 8, ''Definitions''] of
non-confidential knowledge of any dishonest or fraudulent acts by any person pertaining to the handling
of the funds, securities or other assets of a client. The authority to whom the report is made shall depend
on the nature and circumstances of the possible misconduct, (e.g., ethics committees of law firms,
corporations and/or professional associations, local or state bar associations, local prosecutors,
administrative agencies, etc.). Failure to report such knowledge is in itself misconduct.
C. MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: Each member of legal support staff
is expected to maintain a high standard of professional conduct, as follows:
1. Respect: Refrain from engaging in any conduct that offends the dignity and decorum of proceedings
before a court or other adjudicatory body and be respectful of all rules and procedures.
2. Conduct Adversely Affecting Fitness to Practice: Avoid impropriety and the appearance of
impropriety and do not engage in any conduct that would adversely affect your fitness to practice. Such
conduct may include, but is not limited to: violence, dishonesty, interference with the administration of
justice, and/or abuse of a professional position or public office.
3. Physical or Mental Illness: Should the fitness to practice of any member of the staff be compromised
by physical or mental illness causing that person to commit an act that is in direct violation of the rules
and/or laws governing the jurisdiction in which that person shall practice, it must be immediately
disclosed to the proper authority along with the nature and circumstances of that illness.
4. Fraud, Deceit, Dishonesty, or Misrepresentation: You should advise the proper authority of
non-confidential knowledge of any action of another legal professional that clearly demonstrates fraud,
deceit, dishonesty, or misrepresentation. The authority to whom the report is made shall depend on the
nature and circumstances of the possible misconduct, (e.g., ethics committees of law firms, corporations
and/or paralegal associations, local or state bar associations, local prosecutors, administrative agencies,
etc.). Failure to report such knowledge is considered misconduct.
5. Acts In Direct Violation: You should not knowingly assist any individual with the commission of an
act that is in direct violation of this Standard and/or the rules and/or laws governing the jurisdiction in
which you practice.
6. Future Criminal Activity: If you possess knowledge of future criminal activity, that knowledge must
be reported to the proper authority immediately.
7. Sexual Misconduct: You should not engage in sexual conduct with a client that exploits the client
relationship.
8. Procrastination and Neglect: These are the quiet thieves of your ethical professionalism. Always stay
on top of your workload. Never neglect a file.
9. Potential Problems: Be aware of potential problems and correct them early.
10. Advance the good will and positive image of the legal field: You are charged with the responsibility
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of the image and good will of the legal field. Make advancement of that image an important goal as you
strive for more professional ethics within your environment.
D. DELIVERY OF QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM: It

is the duty of support staff to serve the public interest by contributing to the delivery of quality legal services and the
improvement of the legal system.
1. Develop Office Procedures: Help to develop and implement office procedures to ensure compliance
with rules and the law.
2. Support and Promote Programs: Sensitivity to the legal needs of the public, and support and
promotion of the development and implementation of programs that address those needs is encouraged of
all support staff.
3. Help Meet the Need: You are encouraged to support bona fide efforts to meet the need for legal
services by those unable to pay reasonable or customary fees; for example, participation in pro bono
projects and volunteer work.
4. Improve the System: Support efforts to improve the legal system and access thereto and assist in
making changes to support those improvements. This is as true in the individual office as in the legal
system as a whole. Anything you can accomplish that improves the office system and improves the
services provided by our office will serve the legal system as a whole.
E. AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Legal support staff must avoid conflicts of interest and shall disclose
any possible conflict to the employer or client, as well as to the prospective employers or clients.
1. Compromising Influences: You are charged with acting within the bounds of the law, solely for the
benefit of the client, and must be free of compromising influences and loyalties. Neither your personal or
business interest, nor those of other clients or third persons should compromise your professional
judgment and loyalty to the client.
2. Previous Assignments: You must avoid conflicts of interest that may arise from previous assignments,
whether for a present or past employer or client.
3. Family Relationships, Personal and Business Interests: You must avoid conflicts of interest that may
arise from family relationships and from personal and business interests.
4. Revealing Non-Confidential Information: You shall reveal sufficient non-confidential information

about a client or former client to reasonably ascertain if an actual or potential conflict of interest exists.
5. Participation in Work Product: You must not participate in or conduct work on any matter where a
conflict of interest has been identified.
6. Ethical Wall: In matters where a conflict of interest has been identified and the client consents to
continued representation, you must comply fully with the implementation and maintenance of an ethical
wall. An ''ethical wall'' is a screening method implemented to protect a client from a conflict of interest
and generally includes, but is not limited to:
a. Prohibiting the member of support staff who would have the conflict from having any
connection with the matter;
Page 86
b. Banning discussions with or the transfer of documents to or from that individual;
c. Restricting access to files; and
d. Educating all members of the firm, corporation, or entity as to the separation of the
involved individual (both organizationally and physically) from the pending matter.
F. USE OF YOUR TITLE: As a member of the support staff of a legal office, your title shall be fully disclosed.
1. Your Status Within the Office: Your title shall clearly indicate your status within the office and, to
avoid misunderstandings and misconceptions about your role and responsibilities, shall be disclosed in
all business and professional communications.
2. Office Stationery: Your title shall be included if your name appears on business cards, letterhead,
brochures, directories, and advertisements.
3. Fraudulent Impression: You should never use letterhead, business cards or other promotional
materials to create a fraudulent impression of your status or ability to practice in the jurisdiction where
you work.
4. Misrepresentation: You will not practice under color of any record, diploma, or certificate that has
been illegally or fraudulently obtained or issued or which is misrepresentative in any way.
5. Fraudulent Records: You shall never participate in the creation, issuance, or dissemination of
fraudulent records, diplomas, or certificates.
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29 of 33 DOCUMENTS
CHANGING JOBS
Although you change positions, the standard of ethics remains the same. In addition to the previous sections, consider
the special situations involved when changing jobs in the legal field.
A. NO COMPROMISING INFLUENCE: Neither your personal or business interest, nor those of other clients
or third persons, should compromise your professional judgment and loyalty to the clients of your new employer. You
must act within the bounds of the law, solely for the benefit of the client, and must be free of compromising influences
and loyalties.
B. UNETHICAL CONDUCT--YOUR ATTORNEY: It is your obligation to avoid conduct which would cause
the lawyer to be unethical, or even to appear to be unethical. Loyalty to the new employer is crucial for support staff in
the legal field.
C. UNETHICAL CONDUCT--PREVIOUS OFFICE: The confidentiality of each law office must be protected.
You shall not share any information regarding the practices, clients, and/or confidential office procedures of your
former employer with your new employer. You bring with you your professionalism and job capabilities. You are hired
for what you can do, not for what you know about the opposition or their clients.
D. SEE ''AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST,'' pages 15 and 16.
E. POSSIBLE CONFLICTS
1. Routine Screening: If there is no routine means of screening clients for possible conflicts in your new
office, suggest to your employer that one might be set up. Lacking that option you must be careful to
avoid any conflict of interest.
2. Employer Notification: In the event you identify a conflict of interest or even a possible conflict of
interest, your employer must be notified immediately.
F. OBSERVE THE ETHICAL WALL: See ''Ethical Wall,'' page 18.
G. CLIENT CONTACT: Your professional contact with clients from previous employers ends with your
employment there. You shall neither contact the client of any former employer to indicate you have changed jobs, nor
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contact the client with the intention of introducing him or her to the office of your new employer.
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30 of 33 DOCUMENTS
USE THE FLORIDA BAR
After studying the first several sections of A Standard of Professional Ethics For Support Staff, it is suggested that you
read the Oath of Admission taken by attorneys when they are admitted to The Bar and The Florida Bar's Creed of
Professionalism, which follows.
A. OATH OF ADMISSION TO THE FLORIDA BAR
''The general principles which should ever control the lawyer in the practice of the legal profession are clearly set forth
in the following oath of admission to the Bar, which the lawyer is sworn on admission to obey and for the willful
violation to which disbarment may be had.
''I do solemnly swear:
''I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida;
''I will maintain the respect due to courts of justice and judicial officers;
''I will not counsel or maintain any suit or proceedings which shall appear to me to be unjust, nor any defense except
such as I believe to be honestly debatable under the law of the land;
''I will employ for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to me such means only as are consistent with truth
and honor, and will never seek to mislead the judge or jury by any artifice or false statement of fact or law;
''I will maintain the confidence and preserve inviolate the secrets of my clients, and will accept no compensation in
connection with their business except from them or with their knowledge and approval;
''I will abstain from all offensive personality and advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or reputation of a party or
witness, unless required by the justice of the cause with which I am charged;
''I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed, or delay
anyone's cause for lucre or malice. So help me God.''
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B. THE FLORIDA BAR CREED OF PROFESSIONALISM
''I revere the law, the judicial system, and the legal profession and will at all times in my professional and private lives
uphold the dignity and esteem of each.
''I will further my profession's devotion to public service and to the public good.
''I will strictly adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of my profession's code of ethics, to the extent that the law permits
and will at all times be guided by a fundamental sense of honor, integrity, and fair play.
''I will not knowingly misstate, distort, or improperly exaggerate any fact or opinion and will not improperly permit my
silence or inaction to mislead anyone.
''I will conduct myself to assure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action and resolution of every
controversy.
''I will abstain from all rude, disruptive, disrespectful, and abusive behavior and will at all times act with dignity,
decency, and courtesy.
''I will respect the time and commitments of others.
''I will be diligent and punctual in communicating with others and in fulfilling commitments.
''I will exercise independent judgment and will not be governed by a client's ill will or deceit.
''My word is my bond.''
C. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FLORIDA BAR
In an effort to provide legal support staff with the most comprehensive as well as most current information on
professional ethics, and to avoid duplication, FALSS recommends the following additional sources of information,
which have been suggested by The Florida Bar:
The Internet at: http://flabar.org
The annual directory issue of The Florida Bar Journal
West's Florida Rules of Court
D. SMALL ROCKS: Having read the sections of this Standard and reviewed the Florida Bar's Oath and the
Creed, how can we, the support system of these offices, demand any less of ourselves. Do not be the ''small rock'' that
holds back the great wave of professionalism within your own office. Make an ethical difference!
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31 of 33 DOCUMENTS
DEFINITIONS
Increasing your vocabulary a step at a time will make your work more efficient and interesting. As you come across an
unfamiliar term, take the time to look it up. To give you a start, the following are terms used within this Standard which
are defined for you. The root word is defined.
adjudicate: to settle judicially; to act as a judge.
attain: to reach as an end; gain, achieve to come into possession of.
ban: to prohibit, especially by legal means.
bona fide: made in good faith without fraud or deceit; made with earnest intent; sincere.
code of ethics: a written set of principles, to be used as a guideline for behavior, for those persons
within the specified field.
competency: the demonstration of diligence, education, skill, and mental, emotional, and physical
fitness reasonably necessary for the performance of legal services.
compromise: to reveal or expose to an unauthorized person and, especially, to an enemy.
confidential: private, secret information; documents containing information whose unauthorized

Page 92
disclosure could be prejudicial; information relating to a client, whatever its source, that is not public
knowledge or available to the public.
contemporaneous: existing, occurring, or originating at the same time.
decorum: propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance.
derogatory: expressive of a low opinion; detracting from the character or standing of something.
disbar: to expel from the bar or the legal profession; to deprive (an attorney) of legal status and
privileges.
disclose: communication of information reasonably sufficient to permit identification of the

significance of the matter in question.
ethic/ethics: the discipline dealing with what is good and bad, and with moral duty and obligation;
the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group; a guiding philosophy.
ethical wall: the screening method implemented in order to protect a client from a conflict of
interest. An ethical wall generally includes, but is not limited to, the following elements:
a. prohibit the paralegal from having any connection with the matter;
b. ban discussions with or the transfer of documents to or from the paralegal;
c. restrict access to files; and
d. educate all members of the firm, corporation, or entity as to the separation of the
paralegal (both organizationally and physically) from the pending matter. For more
information regarding the ethical wall, see the NFPA publication entitled ''The Ethical
Wall--Its Application to Paralegals.''
ex parte: actions or communications conducted at the instance and for the benefit of one party only,
and without notice to, or contestation by, any person adversely interested.
fraud: deceit, trickery.
hard copy: the paper copy as opposed to what is seen on screen.

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impropriety: an improper act or remark; the quality or state of being improper.
integrity: firm adherence to a code; moral or artistic values; incorruptibility.
intolerable: unbearable.
jurisdiction: the limits of territory within which authority may be exercised.
lucre: monetary gain; profit.
malice: desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another; intent to commit an unlawful act or cause
harm without legal justification or excuse.
misconduct: intentional wrongdoing; deliberate violation of a law or standard.
paralegal: synonymous with ''legal assistant''; defined as a person qualified through education,
training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts
and is customarily, but not exclusively performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed
by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity or may be authorized by administrative,
statutory, or court authority to perform this work.
parameter: any set of physical properties whose values determine the characteristics or behavior of
something; characteristic, element, factor.
pecuniary: consisting of or measured in money.
prioritize: to list or rate in order of priority.
pro bono: being, involving, or doing legal work donated, especially for the public good.
proper authority: This term, as used within this Standard could pertain to any of the following, and
shall depend on the nature the circumstances involved: Proper authority could be your immediate
supervisor in the office; ethics committees of law firms, corporations and/or professional associations;
local or state bar associations; local prosecutors; administrative agencies; or The Florida Bar. Also
consider addressing a delicate situation to the Board of FALSS, Inc., or committee of the local bar
association(s); the local prosecutor; administrative agency; or other tribunal empowered to investigate or
act upon an instance of alleged misconduct. Although The Florida Bar Ethics Committee is primarily for
Page 94
the use of attorneys, they often address questions of a general nature for non-lawyers.
purview: the range or limit of authority, competence, responsibility, concern, or intention.
scanners: one that scans [as used in this Standard, capable of scanning, or overhearing, cell phone
conversations].
scrupulous: having moral integrity; acting in strict regard for what is considered right or proper.
sensitive: highly responsive or susceptible; calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment.
tenet: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true, especially by members of an

organization, movement, or profession.
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SOURCES
The following sources were used in the preparation of this Standard. To increase your knowledge in the area of
professionalism and professional ethics, it is suggested that you review not only these sources, but add to them sources
of your own.
Please share information with FALSS, Inc., that you feel will enhance this Standard and the professionalism and
professional ethics of the membership of FALSS and support staff in the State of Florida.
A. SOURCES USED IN PREPARATION OF THIS STANDARD:
The Florida Bar, The Florida Bar Journal, annual directory issue, The Florida Bar. Sept. 1999
Goodall, Melinda, ''Code of Ethics of the American Dietetic Association,'' Rpt. for Applied Ethics PHI 1603 class, Oct.
1998.
Hopkins, Dr. Jo Ann, Esquire, Applied Ethics Department of St. Petersburg Jr. College. [Untitled ] seminar on the
unlicensed practice of law and professional ethics, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Association of Legal Support
Specialists, Spring 1999.
Merriam-Webster, Inc., Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition. Merriam-Webster, Inc. (1993).
National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., ''The NALA Code of Ethics And Professional Responsibility,'' adopted
May, 1975, as revised November 1979 and September 1988.
National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc., ''The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc., Model
Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines For Enforcement,'' accessed via Internet, August 24,
1998, at: hitp://www.paralegals.org/Development/modelcode.html
B. RECOMMENDED WEBSITES:
Visit the FALSS website at http://www.falss.org

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http://www.flabar.org
http://www.abanet.org
http://www.paralegal.org
http://www.nala.org
C. YOUR LIST:
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
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IN CLOSING
The importance of adherence to a standard of professional ethics cannot be overemphasized. Where you see a standard
of professional ethics observed, there will be increased awareness of professionalism, respect for the law, and the
satisfaction of a job well done. Learn more about professional ethics and professionalism by observing people whose
work ethic you respect. Discover what makes these people special. Then learn to emulate those qualities.
The Members of the Florida Association of Legal Support Specialists, Inc. (''FALSS''), come to the law with varying
degrees of education, and from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. Their diversity and dedication to purpose
promotes growth, development, professionalism, and dedication to the continuing education of the professionals who
form the basic structure of each office in the field of law.
Through membership in FALSS and corresponding local chapter associations, your input can make a difference. To join
FALSS, contact us through the board members listed in the website shown on the back of this booklet. They will be
happy to supply contacts in your area. Then talk your friends into joining. Those most concerned with good job
performance benefit greatly from membership. Share your valuable input and experience with a group of peers who
want to hear what you have to say.
Looking for specifics in legal education? Let FALSS know where your interests lie, and your voice will be heard...and
at an affordable price. Your employer will be happy to pay for a membership that provides seminars that can benefit the
entire office. Know the empowerment of a high order of achievement: Join the Florida Association of Legal Support
Specialists.
This Standard is offered as a general guide. Use it to create an awareness of the tenets embraced in it. Always strive to
be the best that you can be, and remember that energy spent developing strong professional ethics will have a positive
effect on your career.

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Page 1

The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries

Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE

1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries Section 1.syn

§ Section 1.syn Synopsis to Chapter Section 1: COURT STRUCTURE

1.01 WHAT IS A COURT?

1.02 CRIMINAL VERSUS CIVIL

1.03 PEOPLE IN THE COURTROOM

1.04 UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

1.05 FEDERAL COURTS

1.06 FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS--FLORIDA DIVISIONS

1.07 MAP OF FEDERAL DISTRICTS

1.08 BANKRUPTCY COURTS

1.09 THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLORIDA JUDICIAL SYSTEM

1.10 SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA

1.11 DISTRICT COURTS OF APPEAL

1.12 STATE APPELLATE DISTRICTS (WITH MAP)

1.13 JUDICIAL CIRCUITS (WITH MAP)

1.14 CIRCUIT COURT

1.15 COUNTY COURT

1.16 CLERK DIRECTORY

1.17 CLERK WEB SITES

1.18 FLORIDA SHERIFFS' ADDRESSES, PHONE & FAX NUMBERS

1.19 FLORIDA PROPERTY APPRAISERS

1.20 FLORIDA TAX COLLECTORS

The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries

Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE

1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries 1.01

1.01 WHAT IS A COURT?

The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries

Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE

1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries 1.02

1.02 CRIMINAL VERSUS CIVIL

The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries

Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE

1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries 1.03

1.03 PEOPLE IN THE COURTROOM

The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries

Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE

1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries 1.04

1.04 UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

A Brief Overview of the United States Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States

One First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20543

The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries

Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE

1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries 1.05

1.05 FEDERAL COURTS

The Middle District is divided into five divisions, as follows:

The Southern District is divided as follows:

A. Dade County actions and proceedings--Miami

B. Monroe County actions and proceedings--Key West

A. Palm Beach County actions and proceedings--West Palm Beach

The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries

Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE

1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries 1.06

1.06 FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS--FLORIDA DIVISIONS

Northern District Middle District Southern District

The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries

Section 1 COURT STRUCTURE

1-Section 1 The Manual for Florida Legal Secretaries 1.07

1.07 MAP OF FEDERAL DISTRICTS