Chief Justice Message
Message from Chief Justice Charles T. Canady
We have all been braving an uncommonly difficult time since I wrote last year’s message. I know that some of us have personally suffered from COVID-19. And some of us, sadly, have lost people dear to us. Our work lives, as well as our home lives, have been disrupted utterly. We will not soon forget the challenges we have been facing. With the publication of the Florida State Courts Annual Report, however, we turn to reflect on what we have achieved, despite—or, in some ways, because of—these challenges. The adversities posed by the pandemic have been great, but Florida’s courts system and its partners continue to meet them in creative ways.
We understand that protecting the liberty and the prosperity of our people depends on a healthy, functioning courts system and that the goal of equal justice for everyone—which would be meaningless without courts and lawyers—is at the very heart of our constitution and the promise of America. Accordingly, in early March, the Florida judiciary jumped into action to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. In a matter of days and weeks, all around the state, we introduced adaptations that many participants in the justice system thought they would never see in their lifetimes—and these modifications brought about sweeping changes in the way we all do our jobs. To enable court proceedings to be conducted remotely, we had to establish new procedures and adopt new technologies. Court staff worked to procure, install, and implement videoconferencing licenses for every judge in the state as well as many staff (more than 1,700 Zoom licenses were installed). Swiftly, Florida’s courts and lawyers began to pivot to the use of video and telephone conferences to deal with matters that could be addressed through those means. Everyone acclimated to the changed environment with admirable speed.
Due to the constraints posed by the pandemic, we have been able to conduct only a very small number of trials, and a daunting number of trial court cases has been stacking up. Even so, much of the work of justice has continued during this time, and cases have been moving forward: between March and December 2020, more than 400,000 Zoom hearings and other events were held by judges and court personnel, involving 2.6 million participants. Largely through remote proceedings, trial courts in Florida are on track to dispose of a projected 2.8 million cases in fiscal year 2020 – 2021. The appellate courts adjusted as well, using videoconferencing technology to dispose of cases in much the same manner as they did before the emergency. Remote technology has fundamentally changed the way courts in Florida administer justice.
I believe our success has three sources. First, right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we established branch-wide policies and procedures for preparing for and managing threats and emergencies that can disrupt court operations. The two foundational policy goals that we developed in 2001—protect the lives and health of everyone at the court and keep the courts open to ensure justice for the people—shaped our response to COVID-19.
Second, over time, we have embraced numerous technology innovations that have proven invaluable during the pandemic. Thanks to electronic filing, which we introduced in 2011, lawyers and litigants are submitting court documents to the clerks of court, and lower tribunals are submitting court documents to the appellate courts, without anyone jeopardizing their health. And in 2014, we began using video remote interpreting, which 17 of our 20 judicial circuits are now using; this critical access-to-justice tool enables our courts to minimize in-person contact while continuing to serve the needs of those with limited English proficiency. In addition, our case management systems are enabling judges and court personnel to manage their workloads from home and are supporting efforts to conduct proceedings remotely during the pandemic. I should also mention that, in 2009, the supreme court introduced the use of social media to communicate better with the public we serve, and, since the 2016 release of the branch-wide communication plan, Florida courts at all levels have implemented social media policies and developed social media accounts to communicate quickly and efficiently with internal and external audiences—which has been extraordinarily helpful during the pandemic.
Finally, our success would certainly not have been possible without the dedication, resourcefulness, and flexibility of a great many people in the justice system. Our chief judges have provided energetic leadership in adapting to the difficulties presented by the pandemic, and our judges have been working hard to carry on judicial business to the maximum extent possible under pandemic circumstances. Our Workgroup on the Continuity of Court Operations and Proceedings During and After COVID-19 has made an extraordinary contribution to the efforts of the judicial branch to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic. Our court staff have tirelessly provided essential support, enabling judges to do their jobs. And, of course, our justice system partners—clerks, counties, sheriffs, state attorneys, public defenders, and the lawyers who come before our courts—have all been playing a critical role in continuing the work of justice. I deeply appreciate all these efforts to ensure that the courts can serve the people of Florida in the face of the pandemic.
Our response to the pandemic will forever change the way Florida’s courts operate. This experience has taught us a great deal that will benefit our courts system long after we are beyond the limitations that COVID-19 has thrust on us. I imagine that, in future years, when we look back on this difficult time, we will see that we planted seeds that helped our courts become more accessible, efficient, and responsive. For instance, although traditional, in-person proceedings will remain central to the work of our courts, we have discovered that much work can be done through remote proceedings, which can significantly reduce the cost and burdens of litigation. Our new ways of doing things have been welcomed by attorneys and are very popular with many of those who come to the courts. Many challenges await us in the courts. But the same strengths I have seen in our response to the coronavirus outbreak will serve us well as we recover and resume.