Hand sanitizer dispenser at Miami-Dade County Courthouse, 73 W. Flagler St., Miami. Courtesy photo. Hand sanitizer dispenser at Miami-Dade County Courthouse, 73 W. Flagler St., Miami. Courtesy photo.

As fears about the spread of COVID-19 grip the world, a common theme has emerged in the response of South Florida state and federal courts: watching, planning, waiting—and sanitizing.

The Florida Supreme Court said it's following its pandemic plans after Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency. Having wrapped up oral arguments for March, the court will consider any precautions for April's arguments in the coming weeks.

Spokesman Craig Waters encouraged use of the court's online broadcasts and electronic filing system, while discussions with governing authorities continue.

"During this emergency, we ask the public and the legal community to take advantage of digital access to the Florida Supreme Court," Waters said.

Miami-Dade Circuit has introduced hand sanitizer dispensers in all courthouse lobbies and says its emergency management team has been meeting with local partners and government officials to discuss preparation and response strategies.

The team is working with Miami-Dade County's Internal Services Department—responsible for maintenance of county-owned property—to arrange more frequent cleaning of shared workspaces and bathrooms, and "high-touch" surfaces like tables, doorknobs and collection containers at security checkpoints.

"All Eleventh Circuit continuity of operations plans, which are implemented any time there is a disruption to normal court operations, are being reviewed and appropriate steps are being taken to ensure these plans remain ready to implement immediately should the need arise," said Miami-Dade Circuit spokeswoman Eunice Sigler.

Sigler said the court is encouraging staff to follow official advice and has not yet made moves to encourage attendance by phone over in person.

"These procedures, among others, will be reviewed and adapted as needed based on any new developments and recommendations issued by health authorities regarding the coronavirus," Sigler said.

Read what courts across the U.S. are doing: As Coronavirus Spreads, Legal Industry Shifts into Crisis Management Mode

Uncertainty about inmates

Broward Circuit Chief Judge Jack Tuter said his court is also following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance and has met several times to discuss the virus, most recently sitting down with stakeholders Friday. The Office of State Courts Administrator is taking the lead.

Broward Circuit Chief Judge Jack Tuter. Photo: J. Albert Diaz/ALM.

Tuter said the court is considering conducting some proceedings via video or telephone conferences, prioritizing first appearances, domestic violence and some criminal court hearings. The court might also use teleconferencing for civil and family cases.

"What we do not know is how the jail may be affected by the virus," Tuter said. "If no inmate movement is permitted or limited movement based on a quarantine plan, it will be difficult to implement a plan. Since we just began discussions in the past few days, we have much work ahead."

Broward courthouses will soon feature more hand santizer dispensers, according to Tuter, who said maintenance staff will sanitize frequently used areas like escalators and elevators, and court personnel might be asked to wipe down door handles.

"I anticipate more steps on this in the near future. Because of the uncertainty of how this virus may impact large public buildings such as our courthouses, we are working on preliminary plans to resume court functions if the courthouses are closed for any extended period of time," Tuter said. "With so many moving parts involved, attorneys, litigants, clerks of court, security and the Broward Sheriff's Office, this will take much planning, but we are committed to operate the courts, albeit on an emergency scale, should closure of the courts become a reality."

Waiting game

It's a similar story at Palm Beach Circuit Court, where spokeswoman Debra Oats said staff are following guidelines, meeting with local partners to draft plans in case of disruption and staying in contact with the state supreme court's emergency team.

"The plan for court events will depend on the status/presence of COVID-19 in the county and if and how it affects the public, the court staff and court partners," Oats said.

Oats said the court has also bought cleaning products, gels and masks, and is keeping employees updated on prevention strategies.

The court administrator's office for the Southern District of Florida said it's weighing its options, including restricting access of jurors and visitors at higher risk of catching the virus, and is in talks with the U.S. Marshals Service about moving at-risk prisoners or having them appear via VideoLink if necessary.

The Florida Bar said it's "closely monitoring" what's happening at the Florida Supreme Court, the Office of the State Courts Administrator and the Florida Court Public Information Officers, while leaders and staff are watching for travel restrictions or advisories, in case that affects meetings.

The bar said it's "prepared to assist in communicating court-related information to attorneys and the public," and has published an article in which Chief Justice Charles Canady urged the public to "watch and prepare."

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