WHEREAS, it has been made known to the undersigned that the prompt and expeditious administration of justice in St. Johns County requires the publication of a revised case assignment order for the divisions of the St. Johns County Court; 

         NOW THEREFORE, I, LEAH R. CASE, Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, hereby order that effective September 18, 2023, criminal and civil cases filed in St. Johns County Court are to be assigned as follows:

1. All criminal cases are to be assigned equally and randomly to Divisions 65, 66, and 67. Previously disposed Criminal cases are to remain assigned to said divisions if reopened.
2. Eviction cases are to be assigned equally and randomly to Divisions 66 and 67. Previously disposed Eviction cases are to remain assigned to said divisions if reopened.
3. County Civil cases, not including small claims or civil (non-criminal) infractions, are to be assigned as follows:
   • Division 65 – 20%
   • Division 66 – 40%
   • Division 67 – 40%
   Previously disposed County Civil cases are to remain assigned to said divisions if reopened.
4. All other civil cases, including small claims and civil (non-criminal) infractions, are to be assigned equally and randomly to Divisions 65, 66, and 67. Previously disposed Civil cases are to remain assigned to said divisions if reopened.
5. Weekday First Appearance assignments are to be shared equally by all three St. Johns County Court Judges.
6. The Clerk of Court’s office is to assign cases to divisions as specified in this Order. If any uncertainty or ambiguity arises concerning the assignment of a case, the matter should be referred to the Court Administrator’s office for resolution by the Chief Judge (see Kruckenberg v. Powell, 422 So. 2d 994).

         IT IS FURTHER ORDERED rescinding administrative order G-2022-022-SJ effective September 18, 2023. 

TO BE RECORDED in St. Johns County, FL.

DONE AND ORDERED in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida, this 13th day of September 2023.