WHEREAS, pursuant to Rule 2.535(h)(3), Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, the chief judge is responsible for the development and implementation of a circuit-wide plan for the court reporting of all proceedings required to be reported at public expense, and

      WHEREAS, pursuant to Rule 2.535(i), Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, the chief judge is responsible for the development and implementation of a circuit-wide plan for the court reporting of all trials in which the State seeks the death penalty and in capital post-conviction proceedings;

      NOW THEREFORE, I, LEAH R. CASE, Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, hereby order that court reporting of all proceedings required to be reported at public expense is to be provided in the Seventh Judicial Circuit as set forth herein.

1.  The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court utilizes a hybrid court reporting model, using both Court employees and independent contractors.
2.  Stenographic court reporting is used to create the record only in trials where the State seeks the death penalty and capital post-conviction proceedings. When available, real-time stenographic court reporters are used. If unavailable, CAT-qualified court reporters are used. Stenographic court reporters mentioned herein are independent contractors and “approved” as that term is defined in the Rule.
3.  In all other proceedings required to be reported at public expense, digital recording technology is used to create the record. Digital recording equipment is operated and monitored by Seventh Judicial Circuit Court employees. When necessary, an alternative form of technology may be used to create the record.
4.  In proceedings referenced in section 2 above, transcript preparation is to be expedited per Rule 2.535(i)(1)-(4). Judges presiding in death penalty trials and capital post-conviction proceedings are responsible for making advance arrangements with the Court’s contractor for the appearance of stenographic court reporters.
5.  The Chief Judge will consider exceptions to the provisions of paragraphs 2-4 above upon receipt of written requests from presiding judges on a case-by-case basis.
6.  The Court Administrator’s office of the Seventh Judicial Circuit is responsible for contracting for stenographic court reporting services mentioned herein.

TO BE RECORDED in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties.

DONE AND ORDERED in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida, this 11th day of August 202