With the old Duval County Courthouse closed and the opening of the new courthouse delayed, the courts are adapting to continue operations, at least on a limited emergency basis.
The courthouse was scheduled to open Tuesday but has been delayed for failing fire-safety tests.
“We expect the new Duval County Courthouse to open sometime next week. Until then, we have set up certain areas where we can assist the public and try to keep the court moving along,” Court Administrator Joe Stelma said Tuesday.
He said duty judges for Felony, Family, Civil/Probate, Juvenile and County courts will be available for emergency filings and hearings at the Emergency Filings & Operations area in Room 100 at the Courthouse Annex at 220 E. Bay St.
Domestic violence walk-in cases will be handled as usual in the Courthouse Annex, Stelma said.
The Pretrial Detention Facility at 501 W. Adams St. will continue to handle first appearance hearings in J-1, domestic violence injunction hearings in J-2 and child support enforcement hearings in J-3.
Stelma said hearings, including for Juvenile Court at the Courthouse Branch at 3490 Beach Blvd., will be held as scheduled and Traffic Court operations will continue uninterrupted at the same location.
Payments for felony and misdemeanor violations should be made at the Traffic Violations Bureau at 3470 Beach Blvd.
Steve Johnroe, director of court operations for the Civil Court for the Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts, said no jurors were called last week and no jurors were called this week. The clerk’s office will consult with the judiciary about calling jurors after the new courthouse opens for business, he said.
Stelma said anyone who has received a subpoena or other notice to appear at the courthouse should disregard that notice and await further instructions from the court.
Rose Devoe, director of court operations for the criminal division, said the delay in opening the courthouse has affected about 400 criminal cases.
“We haven’t taken pleas for seven days and we’re not going to be able to take pleas for ever how much longer. It’s a huge impact. We’re talking about a multiplying effect,” said State Attorney Angela Corey after the news conference.
Stelma said citizens can visit duvalclerk.com for updates and additional information, including dates for rescheduled hearings and court appearances that will be made available after the new courthouse opens.
“It has been exciting, but we believe we have everything in order. We have everything in place to assist the citizens of our city,” he said.
Stelma said he plans to provide the next progress update Thursday.
356-2466