The following is a list of our upcoming events:

OCBA CALENDAR
February 12th, 2008
View the OCBA Calendar so you can see all of the upcoming events! Click the logo below.

The OCBA is now accepting Nominating Petitions through May 9, 2008 for a term ending May 31, 2009. 

Nominating Petitions must be received on or before 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 9th at the OCBA, 880 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 (office hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Click here for Nominating Petition.

To see a list of upcoming seminars, click here!

Fellow Members of the Community:

I am writing to ask for your support for an adequately funded courts system and judicial branch for our state. I am sure you are well aware of the current budget crisis facing the Florida courts. I do not think it an overstatement to describe the situation as dire. Our court system, a constitutionally mandated third and coequal branch of government, is on the precipice of very deep budget cuts which could potentially cripple the foundation of our system which we all hold so dear.

The present Senate proposal premised on increased court-user fees would result in the loss of over 300 judicial branch positions; the House proposes court system staff cuts of some 500 positions. Neither chamber’s proposal currently is adequate for the effective functioning of a co-equal, coordinate branch of our state government.

Florida’s court system comprises only seven-tenths of one percent of our entire state budget. Our state judiciary is distinguished by its lack of programs, with 87 percent of its budget composed of salaries. If the cuts included in the initial proposals were added to those already imposed this year, our courts could lose 30 percent of their work force and essentially 30 years of progress.

[Below] you will find a detailed description of the budget cuts impacting the court system and how these cuts will affect us locally. The impacts of these proposed budget cuts would cause disruption in all types of court proceedings. Civil traffic hearing officers are already being eliminated, slowing disposition of those cases. Court mediation programs, which have dramatically reduced the number of trials, will end – with resulting delays and higher costs for citizens. Particularly affected will be high priority criminal and family proceedings that have statutory time limits and must be prioritized over other social and commercial matters. Cases involving children in foster care, landlords looking to evict tenants, and foreclosure actions would all be slowed. It’s even possible that some individuals charged with crimes might go free because our courts can’t meet speedy trial deadlines. Rigid across-the-board budget cuts within the judicial branch simply will not work.

Now is the time for action. I implore you to do all you can to support an adequately funded state court system in its mission to carry out its obligations under the Constitution and laws that govern our State by contacting your legislator and making your voice heard. I thank you for your help in this vital matter facing all Florida citizens.

Sincerely,

Belvin Perry, Jr.
Chief Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit

Click here for sample letter from Judge Perry to local legislators.
Click here for description of budget cuts 2008-09.

To: All attorneys appearing for circuit court foreclosure cases before the Ninth Judicial
Circuit Court

From: The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court

Re: Administrative Order Governing Telephonic Hearings in Foreclosure Cases

Per Administrative Order 2008-07-0 1 from Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., effective May 1, 2008, no circuit court foreclosure case may be scheduled for telephonic hearing. Any case placed on the schedule prior to May 1,2008, regardless of the actual hearing date, shall be heard telephonically if so arranged.

Please see attached: Administrative Order 2008-07-01 and Individual Judge Schedule indicating the days and times set aside for hearing these matters.  REVISED SCHEDULE (4/18/08)

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Sponsored by the OCBA Entertainment Law Committee

Celebrity Memorabilia Auction
to benefit
The OCBA Legal Aid Society & GRAMMY Foundation

Thursday May 15th
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m
Voyage Nightclub
17 West Pine Street
Downtown Orlando

Enjoy Cocktails … hors d’oeuvres ... live entertainment!

Bid on many of your favorites like Pussycat Dolls, Sister Hazel, Stan Lynch -Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Wynonna Judd, Tim McGraw, Danny Warrfel, PLUS much, much more!

Click here for flyer.

Click here for Social Committee events flyer!