Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles T. Canady

Florida's Chief Justice Charles Canady has issued "best practices" guidelines to help people better navigate the new remote procedures state courts are implementing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

These guidelines cover four primary topics spanning a 21-page document. These guidelines are not limited to judges and court staff, but can also include attorneys, law enforcement agencies, litigants representing themselves in court and other groups.

The first guideline, Helping Pro Se Litigants with Remote Appearance Technology, is directed toward judges and court staff in their use of technology for remote access.

A second section, Representing Yourself and Using Remote Appearance Technology with the Courts, is a how-to guide on remote hearings for pro se litigants.

The third, Management of Evidence in Remote Hearings in Civil and Family Cases, is aimed at judges, court staff and attorneys, to help them manage evidence and witnesses while juggling technology in civil and family cases.

A fourth set of guidelines, the Out-of-County Inmates section, assists judges, prosecutors, public defenders and law enforcement agencies meet due-process requirements for suspects arrested outside their county of residence.

Read the "Best Practices" document:

These recommendations came from a statewide COVID-19 workgroup working to implement a phased return to full-court operation. Candy created the 17-member workgroup in an April 21 order, designating Orlando-area Circuit Judge Lisa Taylor Munyon as the chair.

The coronavirus outbreak and social distancing rules have shut down a majority of the economy since early March. In response, Florida Supreme Court spokesman Craig Waters said state courts have made an historic adjustment, shifting from the routine that "relied heavily on in-person proceedings in the 175 years since Florida became a state in 1845."