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The Florida Senate

2023 Florida Statutes (including 2023C)

Title V JUDICIAL BRANCH
Chapter 25
SUPREME COURT
CHAPTER 25
TITLE V
JUDICIAL BRANCH
CHAPTER 25
SUPREME COURT
25.025 Headquarters.
25.031 Supreme Court authorized to receive and answer certificates as to state law from federal appellate courts.
25.032 Certification of questions of law; rules and regulations.
25.041 Power to execute its judgments, decrees, and determinations.
25.073 Retired justices or judges assigned to temporary duty; additional compensation; appropriation.
25.075 Uniform case reporting system.
25.077 Negligence case settlements and jury verdicts; case reporting.
25.181 Record of territorial court of appeals.
25.201 Deputy clerk of Supreme Court.
25.211 Location of clerk’s office.
25.221 Maintenance of books, records, and other materials.
25.241 Clerk of Supreme Court; assistants; duties relating to filing fees and court documents.
25.251 Marshal of Supreme Court; appointment; qualification; authority.
25.262 Duties of marshal, process.
25.271 Custody of Supreme Court Building and grounds.
25.291 Fines for contempt.
25.301 Decisions to be filed; copies to be furnished.
25.341 Library of Supreme Court, custodian.
25.375 Identification of related cases.
25.382 State courts system.
25.383 Standards for court reporters; procedures; rules of professional conduct, discipline, and training.
25.384 Court Education Trust Fund.
25.3842 Federal Grants Trust Fund.
25.3844 Administrative Trust Fund.
25.385 Standards for instruction of circuit and county court judges in handling domestic violence and dependency cases.
25.386 Foreign language court interpreters.
25.025 Headquarters.—
(1)(a) A Supreme Court justice who permanently resides outside Leon County is eligible for the designation of a district court of appeal courthouse, a county courthouse, or another appropriate facility in his or her district of residence as his or her official headquarters for purposes of s. 112.061. This official headquarters may serve only as the justice’s private chambers.
(b)1. A justice for whom an official headquarters is designated in his or her district of residence under this subsection is eligible for subsistence at a rate to be established by the Chief Justice for each day or partial day that the justice is at the headquarters of the Supreme Court to conduct court business, as authorized by the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice may authorize a justice to choose between subsistence based on lodging at a single-occupancy rate and meal reimbursement as provided in s. 112.061 and subsistence at a fixed rate prescribed by the Chief Justice.
2. In addition to subsistence, a justice is eligible for reimbursement for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061(7) and (8) for travel between the justice’s official headquarters and the headquarters of the Supreme Court to conduct court business.
(c) Payment of subsistence and reimbursement for travel expenses between a justice’s official headquarters and the headquarters of the Supreme Court shall be made to the extent that appropriated funds are available, as determined by the Chief Justice.
(2) The Chief Justice shall coordinate with each affected justice and other state and local officials as necessary to implement subsection (1).
(3)(a) This section does not require a county to provide space in a county courthouse for a justice. A county may enter into an agreement with the Supreme Court governing the use of space in a county courthouse.
(b) The Supreme Court may not use state funds to lease space in a district court of appeal courthouse, county courthouse, or other facility to allow a justice to establish an official headquarters pursuant to subsection (1).
(4) The Chief Justice may establish parameters governing the authority provided in this section, including, but not limited to, specifying minimum operational requirements for the designated headquarters, limiting the number of days for which subsistence and travel reimbursement may be provided, and prescribing activities that qualify as the conduct of court business.
(5) If any term of this section conflicts with s. 112.061, this section shall control to the extent of the conflict.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2019-95; ss. 64, 115, ch. 2019-116; s. 1, ch. 2020-61.
25.031 Supreme Court authorized to receive and answer certificates as to state law from federal appellate courts.—The Supreme Court of this state may, by rule of court, provide that, when it shall appear to the Supreme Court of the United States, to any circuit court of appeals of the United States, or to the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, that there are involved in any proceeding before it questions or propositions of the laws of this state, which are determinative of the said cause, and there are no clear controlling precedents in the decisions of the Supreme Court of this state, such federal appellate court may certify such questions or propositions of the laws of this state to the Supreme Court of this state for instructions concerning such questions or propositions of state law, which certificate the Supreme Court of this state, by written opinion, may answer.
History.—s. 1, ch. 23098, 1945; s. 1, ch. 57-274.
25.032 Certification of questions of law; rules and regulations.—The Supreme Court of this state is hereby authorized and empowered to collaborate with any and all other courts of last resort, of other states and of the United States, in the preparation and approval of uniform rules of court to make effective this and similar laws.
History.—s. 2, ch. 23098, 1945; s. 1, ch. 57-274.
25.041 Power to execute its judgments, decrees, and determinations.—
(1) The Supreme Court is vested with all the power and authority necessary for carrying into complete execution all its judgments, decrees and determinations in the matters before it, agreeable to the usage and principles of law.
(2) No judgment of the Supreme Court shall take effect until the decision of the court in such case shall be filed with the clerk of said court.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; (2) former s. 6, Art. XVI of the State Constitution of 1885, as amended; converted to statutory law by s. 10, Art. XII of the State Constitution as revised in 1968.
25.073 Retired justices or judges assigned to temporary duty; additional compensation; appropriation.—
(1) For purposes of this section, the term “retired justice” or “retired judge” means any former justice or judge who:
(a) Has not been defeated in seeking reelection to, or has not failed to be retained in seeking retention in, his or her last judicial office or was not defeated when last seeking election to judicial office; and
(b) Is not engaged in the practice of law.
(2) Any retired justice of the Supreme Court or retired judge of a district court of appeal or circuit or county court assigned to temporary duty in any of such courts, pursuant to Art. V of the State Constitution, shall be compensated as follows:
(a) Any such justice or judge shall be paid not less than $200 for each day or portion of a day that such justice or judge is assigned to temporary duty; however, no such justice or judge may serve for more than 60 days in any year without the approval of the Chief Justice.
(b) Necessary travel expense incident to the performance of duties required by assignment of such justice or judge to temporary duty shall be paid by the state in accordance with the provisions of s. 112.061.
(3) Payments required under this section shall be made from moneys to be appropriated for this purpose.
History.—s. 1, ch. 63-538; s. 1, ch. 77-282; s. 1, ch. 78-169; s. 3, ch. 79-377; s. 1, ch. 80-221; s. 18, ch. 81-259; s. 4, ch. 83-260; s. 1, ch. 84-306; s. 2, ch. 87-224; s. 1, ch. 88-287; s. 1, ch. 91-256; s. 93, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 2003-402.
25.075 Uniform case reporting system.—
(1) The Supreme Court shall develop a uniform case reporting system, including a uniform means of reporting categories of cases, time required in the disposition of cases, and manner of disposition of cases.
(2) If any clerk willfully fails to report to the Supreme Court as directed by the court, the clerk shall be guilty of misfeasance in office.
History.—s. 5, ch. 72-406; s. 95, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 2011-52.
25.077 Negligence case settlements and jury verdicts; case reporting.—Through the state’s uniform case reporting system, the clerk of court shall report to the Office of the State Courts Administrator information from each settlement or jury verdict and final judgment in negligence cases as defined in s. 768.81(1)(c), as the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives deem necessary from time to time. The information shall include, but need not be limited to: the name of each plaintiff and defendant; the verdict; the percentage of fault of each; the amount of economic damages and noneconomic damages awarded to each plaintiff, identifying those damages that are to be paid jointly and severally and by which defendants; and the amount of any punitive damages to be paid by each defendant.
History.—s. 10, ch. 99-225; s. 3, ch. 2012-5; s. 4, ch. 2019-3.
25.181 Record of territorial court of appeals.—The files, rolls and books of record of the courts of appeals of the late Territory of Florida, so far as the same, by the concurrence of the Congress and of the Legislature of this state, may relate to matters of appropriate state authority and jurisdiction, are placed in the custody and under the control of the Supreme Court of this state, and are files, rolls and records of the said Supreme Court; and the said court may lawfully have and exercise such judicial cognizance and power over them as it may lawfully have and exercise over its own files, rolls and records.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274.
25.201 Deputy clerk of Supreme Court.—The clerk may appoint a deputy, who, being duly sworn, may discharge all the duties of the office of clerk during his or her absence. The clerk shall in all cases be responsible for the acts of such deputy.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 100, ch. 95-147.
25.211 Location of clerk’s office.—The clerk shall have an office in the Supreme Court Building.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 101, ch. 95-147.
25.221 Maintenance of books, records, and other materials.—All books, papers, records, files, and the seal of the Supreme Court must be maintained by the clerk and be in the clerk’s control, as prescribed by the Supreme Court.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 102, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 2021-230.
25.241 Clerk of Supreme Court; assistants; duties relating to filing fees and court documents.—
(1) The Clerk of the Supreme Court is authorized to employ such deputies and clerical assistants as may be necessary. Their number and compensation shall be approved by the court. The compensation of such employees shall be paid from the annual appropriation for the Supreme Court.
(2)(a) The Clerk of the Supreme Court is hereby required to collect, upon the filing of a certified copy of a notice of appeal or petition, $300 for each case docketed, and for copying, certifying, or furnishing opinions, records, papers, or other instruments, except as otherwise herein provided, the same fees that are allowed clerks of the circuit court; however, no fee shall be less than $1. The State of Florida or its agencies, when appearing as appellant or petitioner, is exempt from the filing fees required in this subsection. From each attorney appearing pro hac vice, the Clerk of the Supreme Court shall collect an additional fee of $100 to be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.
(b) Upon the filing of a notice of cross-appeal, or a notice of joinder or motion to intervene as an appellant, cross-appellant, or petitioner, the Clerk of the Supreme Court shall charge and collect a filing fee of $295. The clerk shall remit the fee to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund. The state and its agencies are exempt from the filing fee required in this paragraph.
(3) The Clerk of the Supreme Court is hereby authorized, immediately after a case is disposed of, to supply the judge who tried the case and from whose order, judgment, or decree, appeal or other review is taken and any court which reviewed it, a copy of all opinions, orders, or judgments filed in such case. Copies of opinions, orders, and decrees shall be furnished in all cases to each attorney of record; copies for publication in Florida reports shall be without charge; and copies furnished to the law book publishers shall be at one-half the regular statutory fee.
(4) The Clerk of the Supreme Court is hereby required to prepare a statement of all fees collected each month and remit such statement, together with all fees collected by him or her, to the Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit $250 of each $300 filing fee and all other fees collected into the General Revenue Fund. The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit $50 of each filing fee collected into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund to fund court operations as authorized in the General Appropriations Act.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 1, ch. 73-305; s. 3, ch. 75-124; s. 1, ch. 85-222; s. 1, ch. 85-249; s. 5, ch. 89-290; s. 103, ch. 95-147; s. 77, ch. 2003-261; s. 1, ch. 2004-265; s. 1, ch. 2006-23; s. 1, ch. 2008-111; s. 1, ch. 2010-162; s. 3, ch. 2014-182.
25.251 Marshal of Supreme Court; appointment; qualification; authority.—
(1) The Supreme Court shall appoint a marshal who shall hold office during the pleasure of the court.
(2) The marshal and his or her deputies must comply with s. 943.13 relating to requirements for law enforcement officers in this state.
(3) The marshal and his or her deputies shall be law enforcement officers, as defined in s. 943.10(1), under the direction and control of the Supreme Court with full powers to bear arms and make arrests in accordance with the laws of this state. In performance of their official duties for the Supreme Court, they may apprehend without warrant a person disturbing the peace and deliver that person to the appropriate law enforcement officer of the municipality or county in which further proceedings may be held according to law. The powers granted in this subsection may be exercised only in furtherance of and in connection with the performance of official duties for the Supreme Court.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 1, ch. 80-145; s. 20, ch. 81-259; s. 1, ch. 83-167; s. 104, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-325; s. 1, ch. 2013-86.
25.262 Duties of marshal, process.—The marshal shall have the power to execute the process of the court throughout the state, and in any county he or she may deputize the sheriff or a deputy sheriff for such purpose.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 105, ch. 95-147.
25.271 Custody of Supreme Court Building and grounds.—The marshal shall, under the direction of the Supreme Court, be custodian of the Supreme Court Building and grounds and shall keep the same clean, sanitary, and free of trespassers and marauders and shall maintain the same in good state of repair and cause the grounds to be beautified and preserved against depredations and trespasses.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 1, ch. 80-145; s. 106, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 2013-86.
25.291 Fines for contempt.—Moneys derived from the imposition of fines for contempt of the Supreme Court of the state shall be deposited in the State Treasury into the General Revenue Fund unallocated.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 1, ch. 69-353; s. 21, ch. 81-259.
25.301 Decisions to be filed; copies to be furnished.—All decisions and opinions delivered by the Supreme Court, or any justice thereof, relating to any action or proceeding pending in the court must be filed in the office of the clerk and maintained by the clerk in the manner prescribed by the Supreme Court. Such decisions or opinions may not be taken out from the clerk’s maintenance or control except by order of the court; however, the clerk must furnish certified copies of such opinions and decisions to any person who makes such a request, upon receiving any required fees.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274; s. 107, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 2021-230.
25.341 Library of Supreme Court, custodian.—The library of the Supreme Court shall be in custody of the librarian appointed by the court, who shall be subject to its direction.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-274.
25.375 Identification of related cases.—The Supreme Court may create a unique identifier for each person by which to identify all court cases related to that person or his or her family previously or currently in the court system. The unique identifier must be the same for that person in any court case. To create the unique identifier, the court may collect a portion of the person’s social security number or other personal identification information, such as the person’s date of birth. Failure to provide a social security number for this purpose may not be grounds to deny any services, rights, or remedies otherwise provided by law. To implement a unique identifier, the Supreme Court may require the revision of only those information technology systems that are directly operated and funded by the state court system.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2005-239.
25.382 State courts system.—
(1) As used in this section, “state courts system” means all officers, employees, and divisions of the Supreme Court, district courts of appeal, circuit courts, and county courts.
(2) It is declared and determined that the officers, employees, committees, and divisions of the state courts system of the judicial branch are and shall continue to be officers, employees, committees, and divisions of the state courts system to perform such services as may be provided by the State Constitution, by law, by rules of practice and procedure adopted by the Supreme Court, or by administrative order of the Chief Justice, whichever is applicable.
(3) The manner of selection of employees, the determination of qualifications and compensation, and the establishment of policies relating to the work of such employees, including hours of work, leave, and other matters, shall be determined by rule of the Supreme Court as provided in s. 2(a), Art. V of the State Constitution.
(4) The Supreme Court shall ensure that clearly written policies, procedures, and goals for the recruitment, selection, promotion, and retention of minorities, including minority women, are established throughout all levels of the judicial system. An annual report shall be submitted to the Chief Justice outlining progress, problems, and corrective actions relating to the implementation of this plan.
History.—s. 13, ch. 79-190; s. 6, ch. 83-92; s. 9, ch. 94-348.
25.383 Standards for court reporters; procedures; rules of professional conduct, discipline, and training.—The Supreme Court shall establish minimum standards and procedures for qualifications, certification, discipline, and training for court reporters. The Supreme Court shall determine the amount of fees to charge applicants for certification and renewal of certification. Fees shall be set in an amount necessary to recover the full cost of administering the certification process. All proceeds from fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Administrative Trust Fund within the state courts. The Supreme Court may appoint or employ such personnel as are necessary to assist the court in exercising its powers and performing its duties under this section.
History.—s. 2, ch. 95-286; s. 2, ch. 2003-402; s. 2, ch. 2004-265; s. 2, ch. 2006-23; s. 2, ch. 2010-162.
25.384 Court Education Trust Fund.—
(1) There is created a Court Education Trust Fund to be administered by the Supreme Court through the Florida Court Educational Council.
(2)(a) The trust fund moneys shall be used to provide education and training for judges and other court personnel as defined and determined by the Florida Court Educational Council.
(b) The Supreme Court, through its Florida Court Educational Council, shall adopt a comprehensive plan for the operation of the trust fund and the expenditure of the moneys deposited in the trust fund. The plan shall provide for travel, per diem, tuition, educational materials, and other related costs incurred for educational programs, in and out of state, which will be of benefit to the judiciary of the state.
(3) The trust fund shall be funded with moneys generated from fees assessed pursuant to ss. 28.241(1) and 28.2401(3).
(4) The Supreme Court, through the Florida Court Educational Council, shall submit a report each year, on October 1, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which report shall include the total number of judges and other court personnel attending each training or educational program, the educational program attended and the location of the program, and the costs incurred. In addition, the report shall identify the judges and other court personnel attending out-of-state programs and the costs associated with such programs. The report shall also show the total dollars deposited in the fund for the fiscal year and the balance at the end of the fiscal year.
History.—s. 1, ch. 82-168; s. 109, ch. 95-147; s. 8, ch. 96-209; s. 15, ch. 96-354; s. 3, ch. 2003-402; s. 3, ch. 2004-265.
25.3842 Federal Grants Trust Fund.—
(1) The Federal Grants Trust Fund is created within the state courts system.
(2) The fund is established for use as a depository for funds to be used for allowable grant activities funded by restricted program revenues. Moneys to be credited to the trust fund shall consist of grants and funding from the Federal Government, interest earnings, and cash advances from other trust funds.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-24; s. 2, ch. 2009-28.
25.3844 Administrative Trust Fund.—
(1) The Administrative Trust Fund is created within the state courts system.
(2) The fund is established for the purpose of supporting the operations of the judicial branch and for such other purposes as may be appropriate, and shall be expended only pursuant to legislative appropriation or an approved amendment to the agency’s operating budget pursuant to the provisions of chapter 216.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2006-23; s. 2, ch. 2009-31; s. 3, ch. 2010-162.
25.385 Standards for instruction of circuit and county court judges in handling domestic violence and dependency cases.—
(1) The Florida Court Educational Council shall establish standards for instruction of circuit and county court judges who have responsibility for domestic violence cases, and the council shall provide such instruction on a periodic and timely basis. As used in this subsection, the term “domestic violence” has the meaning set forth in s. 741.28.
(2) The Florida Court Educational Council shall establish standards for instruction of circuit and county court judges who have responsibility for dependency cases regarding the recognition of and responses to head trauma and brain injury in a child under 6 years of age, the benefits of a secure attachment with a primary caregiver, the importance of a stable placement, and the impact of trauma on child development. The council shall provide such instruction to the circuit and county court judges handling dependency cases on a periodic and timely basis.
History.—ss. 2, 8, ch. 84-343; s. 1, ch. 91-210; s. 1, ch. 2002-55; s. 2, ch. 2020-40; s. 1, ch. 2020-138.
25.386 Foreign language court interpreters.—
(1) The Supreme Court shall establish minimum standards and procedures for qualifications, certification, professional conduct, discipline, and training of foreign language court interpreters who are appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Supreme Court shall set fees to be charged to applicants for certification and renewal of certification as a foreign language court interpreter. The revenues generated from such fees shall be used to offset the costs of administration of the certification program and shall be deposited into the Administrative Trust Fund within the state courts system. The Supreme Court may appoint or employ such personnel as are necessary to assist the court in administering this section.
(2) An applicant for certification as a foreign language court interpreter shall undergo a security background investigation, which includes, but is not limited to, submitting a full set of fingerprints to the Department of Law Enforcement or to a vendor, entity, or agency authorized by s. 943.053. The vendor, entity, or agency shall forward the fingerprints to the department for state processing, and the department shall forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for national processing. Any vendor fee and state and federal processing fees shall be borne by the applicant. For records provided to a person or entity other than those excepted therein, the cost for state fingerprint processing is the fee authorized in s. 943.053(3)(e).
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-253; s. 4, ch. 2010-162; s. 1, ch. 2019-98.