CRIMINAL COURT SCHEDULE UPDATED

UPDATE: Florida has another first- first member of Congress Covid19+- Mario Diaz- Balart. He issued a statement that he is feeling fine and we send him positive healing thoughts. 

This an approved for posting ( (c) Rumpole/Covid19 communications, Inc, 2020, all rights reserved)  communication by our admin judge in criminal court: 

(We keep forgetting who MFK is- no disrespect to a fine jurist we are sure, but shouldn't someone be around for a few dozen years to earn the right to be called by their initials- RBG for Justice Ginsberg for example?)

One last detail- Many of you are worried about Judge Altfield based on the announcement yesterday a member of his in-court staff has tested + for Covid19. We have been reliably informed Judge A was out of town (but not in Italy) during the time his in court staff person became ill. We all join in wishing that person a safe and speedy recovery. We are grateful and happy to also announce the in-court person in Judge DLO (see? De La O has earned the use of his initials) is also doing very well at home, in isolation, feeling fine, watching CNN and playing on-line parcheesi ( we made the last part up). The other court personnel including the trial lawyers before DLO at the time are also asymptomatic. 

Folks and blog readers- people we know are going to get sick. That's the fact jack. And thankfully, almost all of them and the good lord willing- all of them will recover and life will go on. You heard it here first. 

Good afternoon, and thank you all for your ongoing cooperation.  I am honored to serve the public with all of you and I am grateful for your tireless efforts to keep our community safe while safeguarding the rights of our citizens.  The plan outlined below has been discussed and approved by all of the Justice Partners.  Big thanks to State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle & Public Defender Carlos Martinez for their wisdom and support.  

The purpose of this plan is to clear the REG courthouse out as much as possible for the next 2 weeks so that we can follow the CDC guidelines and keep as many people as possible at home and healthy and “flatten the curve”.  (Rumpole says lets all FTC!)  So for felony purposes there will only be 1 courtroom operating, Courtroom 1-5.  Please note that Chief Judge Soto, Ms. Fernandez Rundle, Mr. Martinez and I will all be available and present to handle any emergencies and to plan the weeks ahead as we get more information on the virus. 

Week 1: 3/23 – 3/27:  All felony division calendars cancelled – BOND HEARINGS ONLY on normal 9AM & 1:30PM schedule, 1 judge* in courtroom 1-5

Week 2: 3/30 – 4/3: All felony division calendars cancelled – BOND HEARING ONLY and IN CUSTODY felony critical hearings ONLY on normal 9AM & 1:30PM schedule, 1 judge* in courtroom 1-5

Week 3: 4/6 – 4/9  TBA

1. The assigned judge’s JA & Bailiff should be here physically in the building on the assigned day.  If they cannot please make sure there is coverage. Contact me if any issues.
2. Each day we will need 1 ASA and 1 APD in courtroom 1-5 at 9 and at 1:30.   
3. Out of custody arraignments are being automatically set 30+ days out with the clerks. I will be working with them to manage the backlog as we move forward.
4. The COC and the PDO and the SAO will begin a review of in custody arraignments and those cases can be handled in court after the 9AM bonds are complete beginning week 2 as necessary.
5. The SAO will prioritize efiling/filing of informations for the in custody defendants.
6. Week 3 is a tentative plan.  With the assistance and cooperation of the SAO & PDO we may be including courtroom(s) where attorneys and defendants/witnesses, etc can appear virtually to handle out of custody matters.
7. Obviously everything is contingent on state of the virus.
8. Building management will be deep cleaning Courtroom 1-5 daily.
9. There will be a similar plan for Misdemeanors/Traffic/DV in courtroom 5-3 – please look to emails from Judges Faber & Kelly for that information.

I will send you additional or amended information as we move forward.  Until then – please stay safe & healthy.  Don’t be a spreader or a virus shedder…  And as always, please call me if you have any questions or concerns.  

*Schedule of Assignments:

3/23 – Johnson

3/24 – Fernandez

3/25 – Glazer

3/26 – Blumstein

3/27 – Watson

3/30 – Milian

3/31 – Beovides

4/1 – Venzer

4/2 – de la O

4/3 – Simon

TENTATIVE:

4/6 – Altfield

4/7 – Miranda

4/8 – Diraimondo

4/9 – MFK

4/10 – Good Friday

Nushin G. Sayfie, Circuit Court Judge

Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division

1351 NW 12^th St., Room 423

Miami, FL  33125

(305) 548-5721

nsayfie@jud11.flcourts.org