High Profile Cases

It is the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s goal to ensure that the media and general public are accommodated to the best of our abilities without compromising the rights of defendants and litigants. When a case attracts intense interest from the media – both local and national – the Public Information Office (PIO) will identify it a high profile case and act accordingly.

 

In addition to courtroom coverage, media accommodation for high profile cases may involve representatives of other offices, such as sheriff and clerk of court, and city and county governments.

 

The PIO will act as a liaison between other agencies’ designated representatives and the media on issues such as facility usage, parking, security, document distribution and location of satellite vehicles. In addition, the Public Information Office will issue appropriate updates on such cases to its entire distribution list.

 

Because high profile cases often are covered by reporters and media technicians from elsewhere in Florida and the nation, they may not be familiar with local rules concerning location and placement of television cameras and equipment, audio systems, microphones, still camera photographers and equipment, light sources, and related technological devices.

 

In the Sixth Circuit, those subjects are addressed in Administrative Order 2024-018 PA/PI-CIR and Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, which were written to answer questions of access while maintaining courtroom decorum, preventing distractions, and ensuring the fair administration of justice.

 

It is recommended that reporters covering Sixth Judicial Circuit courts for the first time familiarize themselves withAdministrative Order 2024-018 PA/PI-CIR and Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450. Pool arrangements are required for all video and still photograhy of proceedings in high profile cases.

 

Contact Information For the Media:

 

Public Information Office
Sixth Judicial Circuit
14250 49th St. North, Suite J4410
Clearwater, FL 33762
Phone: 727.453.7176
e-mail: pio@jud6.org