Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Returning from the Storm

The following is a message I put out to our team on Wednesday, September 13, 2017. I am so impressed with the job the OJCC did in securing property and safeguarding for the storm. We are not fully operational, but our Districts are coming back online rapidly. We have so much for which to be thankful. I publish this as I think the advice is as applicable to my readers as it is to us. Take it for what it is worth. I hope you are well and that you recover safely from this storm event.  

Welcome back.

First, I want to congratulate everyone on getting the OJCC through Irma. We are still evaluating, but it looks like we escaped major damage. I appreciate your work in readying the offices before and communicating throughout.

Second, I want everyone to remember that people will process this experience differently. Some will need to get back to work and others will find it hard to. Some will be focused on home repairs, office damage, or issues with family, friends, or associates. It will be a very difficult time for many, and some would never let it show (you never know what others are going through).

There will be schedule issues as people try to get back on trial and mediation calendars. There will be conflicts as lawyers, witnesses, and parties take time to meet with contractors, doctors, insurance adjusters, and more. The storm is terrifying and angst-ridden, but the recovery offers its own challenges for us all.

What can we do in the weeks to come?


1. Be patient, with each other, callers, visitors, family, neighbors, etc. People may not exhibit their personal situations, but many will be suffering. 

2. Be forgiving. We are all going to make mistakes and missteps. That is human nature. But, following an event like this we may be more prone than ever to errors. When you find one, fix it. Fault can wait ‘til later, if it needs to be an issue at all. 

3. Be flexible. We need to offer alternatives for resets when possible. I know calendars are congested. There will be much to do, and everyone is going to be busy. Telephonic appearance may be a lifesaver for someone struggling to recover and keep up. 

4. Listen. Some will want to talk about their experiences (during and after). If they are telling you about it, it is perhaps because they need to tell someone. That does not mean you have to give them your day, but a few minutes of listening may do someone a great deal of good. 

5. Communicate. If you need time to take care of issues with your home, family, etc. talk to your supervisor judge. You are part of a team, and we need you if we are to be our best. But, we know you may have some urgencies of your own to deal with. We can only help if you tell us. 

6. Take care of you. Too often people “pour it on” in response to these storms, we forget to eat well, rest, hydrate, etc. As the airlines remind us, “put your mask on before helping those around you.” That means take care of you, because if you do not you cannot help anyone.


My thanks again for all you did preparing our offices for the storm. Welcome back, we are glad you made it through safely.


I appreciate you being part of our team!


Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Hurricane IRMA Resources

Information regarding Hurricane Irma will be posted here as it becomes available.  

With all OJCC Offices reopened, this post will  no longer be updated, effective September 23, 2017. 

September 25, 2017

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

All OJCC Offices are open to the public Monday, September 25, 2017.

Ft. Lauderdale regained electrical service about 12:00 on Friday! We are so grateful to FP&L and their crews. FTL Mediators will be mediating Monday, either telephonically or in person. 

We have been granted permission (received Friday afternoon) to reopen our MIA office Monday! There will  be no live mediations or hearings in Miami Monday, September 25, 2017. All Monday mediations have been reassigned and will be handled telephonically. 

If you have issues with presenting parties or calling in for such mediations, please let the mediator know of the issues. The goal is to provide service to those who are ready to return to the OJCC process. Thank you for your patience.


September 22, 2017

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

All OJCC Offices except Miami and Ft. Lauderdale are open Friday, September 22, 2017.



Ft. Lauderdale has been promised electrical service will resume each day this week (FP&L will get to us). It is possible that power may not be restored again Friday (Power not restored as of 08:23). Watch this posting for any changes. At a minimum, all Friday mediations will proceed by telephone.



Miami District remains closed Friday due to air conditioning issues. The A/C is not repairable. Department of Management Services has a portable (trailer mounted, see below) unit that is being adapted to cool the building. We hope to restore access as early as Monday, September 25, 2017 but there will be no live mediations or hearings in Miami that day.

Mediations for Miami and Ft. Lauderdale cases will all be conducted only telephonically September 25 through September 29, 2017. If issues have resolved, or if petitions will be dismissed, please advise by making a filing or sending an email (no calls please) ASAP to alleviate need for arranging coverage. 


If you have issues with presenting parties or calling in for such mediations, please let the mediator know of the issues. The goal is to provide service to those who are ready to return to the OJCC process. Thank you for your patience.




Some thoughts on the aftermath and return to normal are here




September 21, 2017

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

All OJCC Offices except Miami are open Thursday, September 21, 2017.

Ft. Lauderdale has been promised electrical service will resume each day this week. It is possible that power may not be restored again Thursday. Watch this posting for any changes. At a minimum, all Thursday mediations will proceed by telephone.

Miami District remains closed Thursday due to air conditioning issues. The building is without air, interior temperatures are in the high 90s, and not inhabitable. Miami intends to provide office access as early as Friday, September 22, 2017 but there will be no live mediations or hearings that day in Miami.

Many Miami mediations on Thursday, September 21, 2017 will be conducted telephonically by mediators from various other offices to the extent possible (Notices are being uploaded and served). If you have issues with presenting parties or calling in for such mediations, please let the mediator know of the issues. The goal is to provide service to those who are ready to return to the OJCC process. Thank you for your patience.

Some thoughts on the aftermath and return to normal are here.



September 20, 2017

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

All OJCC Offices except Miami are open Wednesday, September 20, 2017. Amended - Ft. Lauderdale closed again Wednesday, September 20, 2017 due to power still not restored.


Ft. Lauderdale may continue to have electrical issues. Stay tuned for updates Wednesday. At a minimum, all Wednesday mediations will proceed by telephone.  

Miami District remains closed Wednesday due to air conditioning issues. The building is without air, interior temperatures are in the high 90s, and not inhabitable. Miami intends to provide office access as early as Thursday, September 21, 2017 but there will be no live mediations or hearings that day in Miami.

Many Miami mediations on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 and Thursday, September 21, 2017 will be conducted telephonically by mediators from various other offices to the extent possible (Notices are being uploaded and served). If you have issues with presenting parties or calling in for such mediations, please let the mediator know of the issues. The goal is to provide service to those who are ready to return to the OJCC process. Thank you for your patience. 




Some thoughts on the aftermath and return to normal are here




September 19, 2017

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

OJCC Offices (16/17) open Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Daytona
Ft. Lauderdale
Ft. Myers
Gainesville
Jacksonville
Lakeland
Orlando
Panama City
Pensacola
Port St. Lucie
Sarasota
Sebastian/Melbourne
St. Petersburg
Tallahassee
Tampa
West Palm Beach


Ft. Lauderdale was closed again on Tuesday. We intend to open Wednesday, September 20, 2017 if electrical power is restored. At a minimum, all Wednesday mediations will proceed by telephone.  

Miami District intends to provide access on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 but there will be no live mediations or hearings that day.

Many Miami mediations on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 and will be conducted telephonically by mediators from various other offices to the extent possible (Notices are being uploaded and served). If you have issues with presenting parties or calling in for such mediations, please let the mediator know of the issues. The goal is to provide service to those who are ready to return to the OJCC process. Thank you for your patience. 



Some thoughts on the aftermath and return to normal are here



September 18, 2017

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

OJCC Offices (16/17) open Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Daytona

Ft. Myers
Gainesville
Jacksonville
Lakeland
Orlando
Panama City
Pensacola
Port St. Lucie
Sarasota
Sebastian/Melbourne
St. Petersburg
Tallahassee
Tampa
West Palm Beach


Ft. Lauderdale has been closed again on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 due to electrical service issues. 

Miami District will remain closed Monday, September 18, 2017 and Tuesday, September 19, 2017. The office will provide access on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 but there will be no live mediations or hearings that day.

Many Miami mediations on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 and Wednesday, September 20, 2017 will be conducted telephonically by mediators from various other offices (Notices are being uploaded and served). If you have issues with presenting parties or calling in for such mediations, please let the mediator know of the issues. The goal is to provide service to those who are ready to return to the OJCC process. Thank you for your patience. 


Some thoughts on the aftermath and return to normal are here


September 16, 2017


Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

OJCC Offices (15/17) open Monday, September 18, 2017

Daytona
Ft. Lauderdale (reclosed today due to electrical issues)
Gainesville
Jacksonville
Lakeland
Orlando
Panama City
Pensacola
Port St. Lucie
Sarasota
Sebastian/Melbourne
St. Petersburg
Tallahassee
Tampa
West Palm Beach

Closed (2/17) Monday, September 18, 2017
Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Myers
Miami

(Note, multiple Miami mediations on Monday will be handled telephonically. If we could accomodate your mediation in this method, a notice/order was e-served on Friday evening. Thank you for your patience).


September 15, 2017


Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

OJCC Offices (13/17) open Friday, September 15, 2017

Daytona
Gainesville
Lakeland
Orlando
Panama City
Pensacola
Port St. Lucie
Sarasota
Sebastian/Melbourne
St. Petersburg
Tallahassee
Tampa
West Palm Beach

Closed (4/17) entire week, 09.11.17 through 09.15.17
Ft. Lauderdale
Ft. Myers
Jacksonville
Miami





September 14, 2017

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

OJCC Offices open Thursday, September 14, 2017
Gainesville
Lakeland
Orlando
Panama City
Pensacola
Port St. Lucie
Sarasota
St. Petersburg
Tallahassee
Tampa
West Palm Beach

OJCC Offices Closed Thursday, September 14, 2017 Daytona (power restored - Possible re-open on 09.15.17)

Sebastian/Melbourne (power restored - Probable re-open 09.15.17)

Closed entire week, September 11, 2017 through September 15, 2017
Ft. Lauderdale
Ft. Myers
Jacksonville
Miami

Some thoughts on the aftermath and return to normal are here.


September 13, 2017 - 

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

OJCC Offices open Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Gainesville
Lakeland
Orlando 
Panama City
Pensacola
Port St. Lucie
Sarasota
Tallahassee 
Tampa


OJCC Offices Closed Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Daytona (Courts remain closed until Thursday)
Ft. Lauderdale (power is not restored)
Jacksonville (power is not restored)
Sebastian/Melbourne (power is not restored)
St. Petersburg (Closed per court posting late 09.12.17)
West Palm Beach (Courts remain closed until Thursday)

Closed entire week, September 11, 2017 through September 15, 2017
Ft. Myers
Miami 

We are assessing office building status, electrical power, fuel availability and more in determining our reopening process. Follow this site for updated information as it becomes available. 

September 12, 2017 - 

The OJCC is open in Panama City and Pensacola Tuesday.

We are assessing office building status, electrical power, fuel availability and more in determining our reopening process. Follow this site for updated information as it becomes available. 

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

Closed September 12 (Tuesday)


Ft. Lauderdale (tentative for Wednesday as power is not restored)
Gainesville
Jacksonville (tentative for Wednesday as power is not restored)
Lakeland
Orlando 
Port St. Lucie
Sarasota
Sebastian (tentative for Wednesday as power is not restored)
St. Petersburg 
Tallahassee 
Tampa


Closed September 12, and 13 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Daytona
Miami 
West Palm Beach 

Closed entire week, September 11, 2017 through September 15, 2017
Ft. Myers

September 11, 2017 - 

Questions or issues, email me david.langham@doah.state.fl.us

September 11, 2017 - All OJCC Offices closed Monday, per Gubernatorial Order.

Closed September 11, and 12 (Monday and Tuesday)
Daytona
Ft. Lauderdale (added 2:00)
Gainesville
Jacksonville (added (10:00)
Lakeland (added 10:00)
Orlando 
Sarasota
Sebastian  (added 4:30)
St. Petersburg 
Tallahassee 
Tampa
West Palm Beach (added 09:00)

Closed September 11, 12, and 13 (Monday - Wednesday)
Miami (Wednesday added 2:00)

Closed entire week, September 11, 2017 through September 15, 2017
Ft. Myers

Florida Court websites in various locals are not responding, perhaps signaling power outage. Stay tuned for updates as we get them. Information is being posted on Facebook @FloridaCourts.

The Florida Supreme Court website has also ceased to respond. In an effort to afford information, the following are links to the individual Circuits. Many are not responding at this time.


Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton

Walton courts closed Monday, September 11, 2017. Others operating normally. 

Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla
CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

@2ndcircuitfl
Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, 
Suwannee and Taylor

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00

@Circuit3FL

Twitter reflects CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017
Clay, Duval and Nassau

CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017

@4thJudFl – last tweet 2014
Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter

CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

Twitter @circuit5
Pasco and Pinellas

CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia,

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00


Twitter reflects CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 

Eighth https://www.circuit8.org/
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00
@8CircuitFlorida

Twitter reflects CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 (Except first appearance).
Orange and Osceola

CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

@NinthCircuitFL 
Hardee, Highlands, and Polk

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00. 09:00
Polk Clerk site says closed through Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Eleventh http://www.jud11.flcourts.org/
Miami-Dade

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00

@MiamiDadeCourts

Twitter reflects CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

@MiamiDadeCourts website is down. Monitor our hotline 305-349-7777 and social media here and Facebook @MiamiDadeCourts for future updates
DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00

Manatee Clerk Site says closed through Tuesday, September 12, 2017. 
Hillsborough

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00

Circuit Clerk site says "closed Monday."

@court_pio – last tweet August 2016

Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00

@14thJudicialFL tweeted all courts CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
Palm Beach

CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 through TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

@TCA15thCircuit
Monroe

No information found, 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00


@Florida-Courts reporting Sixteenth will remain closed for remainder of the week. 

Says more data will be posted on Facebook today
Broward

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00
@Broward_Bar 

Sun Sentinal reports Courts in Broward expect to reopen Tuesday. 
Brevard and Seminole

Chief Judge John Harris has cancelled all court events in Brev. & Sem. Counties for Mon, 9/11 and Tue, 9/12, except for jail court on 9/12.

Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00

Indian River Clerk site not responsive 09.11.17, 10:00
St. Lucie Clerk site says closed to Sept. 11. 

Twitter reflects closed September 11, 2017. Last tweet 09.07.17

Twentieth https://www.ca.cjis20.org/
Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee

Website not responsive 09.11.17 05:00, 09:00

@SWFLCourts

Twitter reflects 
CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017


@Florida-Courts reporting Twentieth will remain closed for remainder of the week. 


Says more data will be posted on Facebook today

September 10, 2017 -

Questions or issues, email me Judgelangham@yahoo.com

September 11, 2017 - All OJCC Offices closed Monday, per Gubernatorial Order.


Closed September 11, and 12 (Monday and Tuesday)
Daytona
Ft. Myers
Gainesville
Miami
Orlando 
Sarasota
St. Petersburg 
Tallahassee 

Florida Court websites in Miami and Tampa are not responding, perhaps signaling power outage. Stay tuned for updates as we get them. 

The Florida Supreme Court website has also ceased to respond. In an effort to afford information, the following are links to the individual Circuits. Many are not responding at this time.


First http://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/
First Circuit - Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton\

Second http://2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov/
Second Circuit - Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla

Third http://www.jud3.flcourts.org/
Third Circuit - Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor

Fourth http://www.jud4.org/
Fourth Circuit - Clay, Duval and Nassau

Fifth http://www.circuit5.org/c5/
Fifth Circuit - Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter

Sixth http://www.jud6.org/
Sixth Circuit - Pasco and Pinellas

Seventh http://www.circuit7.org/
Seventh Circuit - Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia,

Eighth https://www.circuit8.org/
Eighth Circuit - Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union

Ninth https://www.ninthcircuit.org/
Ninth Circuit - Orange and Osceola

Tenth http://www.jud10.flcourts.org/
Tenth Circuit - Hardee, Highlands, and Polk

Eleventh http://www.jud11.flcourts.org/
Eleventh Circuit - Miami-Dade

Twelfth https://www.jud12.flcourts.org/
Twelfth Circuit - DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota

Thirteenth http://www.fljud13.org/
Thirteenth Circuit - Hillsborough

Fourteenth http://www.jud14.flcourts.org/
Fourteenth Circuit - Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington

Fifteenth http://15thcircuit.co.palm-beach.fl.us/
Fifteenth Circuit - Palm Beach

Sixteenth http://keyscour.ipower.com/
Sixteenth Circuit - Monroe

Seventeenth http://www.17th.flcourts.org/
Seventeenth Circuit - Broward

Eighteenth http://flcourts18.org/
Eighteenth Circuit - Brevard and Seminole

Nineteenth http://www.circuit19.org/
Nineteenth Circuit - Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie

Twentieth https://www.ca.cjis20.org/
Twentieth Circuit - Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee

September 9, 2017 - 

Storm track is predicted to pass over Naples/Ft. Myers north to Tampa/St. Pete. There is still time this morning to evacuate from lowlands. 

All OJCC Offices closed today, per Gubernatorial Order.

September 11, 2017 - All OJCC Offices closed Monday, per Gubernatorial Order.


Closed September 11, and 12 (Monday and Tuesday)
Daytona
Ft. Myers (added 21:00)
Gainesville
Orlando (added 19:00)
Sarasota
St. Petersburg (added 17:00)
Tallahassee (added 14:00)


September 8, 2017

All OJCC Offices closed today, per Gubernatorial Order.

September 11, 2017 - All OJCC Offices closed Monday, per Gubernatorial Order.

Closed September 11, and 12 (Monday and Tuesday)
Daytona
Gainesville


September 7, 2017 - No word yet on further closures. OJCC open today in Daytona, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Orlando, Panama City, Pensacola, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Tallahassee. Conserve fuel and time, request appearance at mediations or hearings by telephone. Fuel shortages and lines are reported - avoid non-essential travel. 

September 7, 2017  - Office Closures for Hurricane IRMA


All OJCC District Offices Closed September 8, 2017 (Friday) per Gubernatorial Order.


Closed September 7 and 8  (Thursday and Friday)
Tampa
Ft. Myers
Miami

Closed September 7, 8 and 11 (Thursday, Friday and Monday)
Ft. Lauderdale
Palm Beach
Port St. Lucie
Sebastian/Melbourne

Closed September 8 and 11 (Friday and Monday)
Gainesville
Jacksonville
Orlando
St. Petersburg

Closed September 8, 11, and 12 (Friday, Monday and Tuesday)
Daytona

Closed September 11, 2017 (Monday)
Lakeland


September 6, 2016 - NOAA has predicted path proceeding up the Florida peninsula early next week. The vast majority of Florida faces potential issues.



September 6, 2017 - The OJCC follows the closure of circuit courts. Supreme Court info here

September 4, 2017 Emergency Declaration from Governor Scott

Florida OJCC Office Closure Policy

Hurricane tips and advice

Hurricane tracking from NOAA

Current track prediction 08:00 EST 09.05.17: