11 September A Message from Clerk Burke: Jury Trials Scheduled to Resume October 26th September 11, 2020 By News Archive jury, service, jury trials 0 A Message from Clerk Burke: Dear Pinellas County Citizens In March, the Florida Supreme Court suspended jury trials throughout the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past several months, new CDC-recommended safety guidelines were implemented to protect you while at the courthouse. With your health and well-being in mind, temperature checks are now administered upon entry, and face coverings are required while inside the building. Common areas are continuously cleaned, hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the building, and social distancing is enforced. To ensure our citizens are able to continue seeking justice, Chief Justice Charles Canady recently issued an amendment to Administrative Order 20-23. The order outlines how and when jury trials may safely proceed in each county. With our new measures in place, the Florida Supreme Court has determined that jury trials may resume in Pinellas County. In response, Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino has directed the Pinellas Clerk of Courts to begin reissuing juror summons for trials scheduled to begin on October 26, 2020. If you are selected to serve as juror, please be assured that your health and well-being remain our first priority. Jurors will be processed efficiently with all social distancing requirements being followed throughout their service. Additional measures are in place during your time of jury service: Juror check-ins are contactless Plexiglass has been installed at all counter stations Touch points have been reduced. Examples: magazines, have been removed, computer room closed and juror coffee will not be supplied To reduce interactions and handling of paper between jurors and Deputy Clerks, we have implemented completion of the Juror Questionnaire and Affidavit of Compensation on-line. We are requesting you provide us with your phone number and email address when completing your questionnaire so that we may provide you with updates. While these measures are very comprehensive, we also understand some citizens may be unable to serve because they have been directly impacted by COVID-19. You may be excused from jury duty if you do not meet the court's screening requirements upon entry, are a person at higher risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 infection, must care for a child or relative whose regular care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, or are receiving leave pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Start your excusal online. In addition, potential jurors may postpone service for up to six months if they have recently returned to work after being unemployed due to COVID-19 or have suffered a financial or personal loss due to COVID-19 that makes it a hardship to perform jury service. Start your postponement online. Yet even as we focus on the safety and security of our jurors, we are equally focused on the duty of the Justice System to be able to provide the constitutional right to a jury trial for our citizens. A recent report from the Trial Court Budget Commission estimates 1,180 criminal and civil jury trials have been delayed statewide since March. Pinellas County alone held close to 263 jury trials last year. Using this historical reference, our current backlog would be about 82 jury trials so far and increasing every week. We are ready to get started, safely and securely. And let me be the first to say a very sincere thank you to those folks in our community who receive a summons and are able and willing to serve as a juror. Serving your country as a juror is a duty and a service for which you can be very proud. It is an essential part of our freedoms in this great country, the United States of America. If you have any questions regarding jury duty in Pinellas County, please visit our Jury Service page or email jury@mypinellasclerk.org. Thank you and stay healthy. Ken Burke Pinellas County Clerk of Courts Related Articles Jury Services Program Outage Set for Saturday, October 21st Please be advised there will be a service interruption for our Jury Services Program on Saturday, October 21st starting at 3:30 a.m. for a duration of approximately 5 hours. During this period, internet access to jury service excusals through the Clerk's website will not be available. Pinellas Clerk’s Office Cleared many Court Fines and Fees due to Generous Payments from Florida Rights and Restoration Coalition and Free Our Vote Two organizations worked closely with the office of Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, to pay off fines and costs of people who had a record of felony convictions. Domestic Violence Survivors Receive Much Needed Help from Pinellas Clerk’s Office Fundraiser Continuing with a yearly tradition, the Pinellas Clerk’s office led with their hearts and collected a grand total of $5,744.75 through the sale of t-shirts, gift basket raffle tickets and donations during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The monetary donation was divided between CASA and the Haven to further their lifesaving efforts in the county. A Big Move: Clerk's Self Help Center Now Located Inside Clearwater Courthouse The Clerk's Self Help Center is now located inside the Clearwater Courthouse at 315 Court Street, Room 114, across from the information desk. Voting Rights: Felony Conviction Amounts Due to the Pinellas Clerk’s Office A recent Federal Court decision affirmed the Florida Statutes requiring an individual with a felony conviction to complete all terms of a felony sentence, including payment of all court fines, fees, and restitution, in order for that individual’s voting rights to be restored. Although the administration of voting eligibility and registration is under the purview of the Supervisor of Elections and the Secretary of State, Clerks play a role in providing individuals with felony convictions with the information needed to satisfy the amounts due under their sentences. Pinellas Clerk Receives Award Winning Recognition for Financial Reporting The Pinellas County Clerk’s office was once again recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with two national awards in government financial reporting. For the 37th consecutive year, the Clerk’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) received the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Clerk’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), known as the Citizens’ Guide to County Finances, also received the association's award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for the 12th consecutive year. Comments are closed.
