TALLAHASSEE – An ongoing international email scam aimed at bilking people out of money has resurfaced again using fraudulent Florida court documents. They often appear to come from the Florida Supreme Court.

It is part of an ongoing series of similar scams stretching back several years. They appear to come from locations in Florida like Shalimar but may target people elsewhere in the United States or other nations. Many of the intended victims are unfamiliar with Florida law.

The current scam has targeted people in Europe, including Spain and Sweden, and claims connections with other nations like Hungary and South Africa. All the documents are falsified to suggest they came from the Florida Supreme Court.

Some contained legal terminology not used in Florida, such as calling attorneys “barristers.” They may use other legal words more common in Europe and may cite nonexistent state or federal statutes.

Florida’s state courts do not send out binding official legal notices by email. Anyone receiving emails that reference a Florida court document should never pay money without checking further.

People who want to inquire about potential scam emails can do so by forwarding copies of the email and its attachments to the Florida Supreme Court at [email protected]. The Court’s Marshal’s Office and other appropriate law enforcement agencies can investigate scams that falsely use the name of the Florida Supreme Court or forge signatures of its judges.

A similar version of the current scam surfaced in early 2019 and was the subject of a public warning at the time. An earlier public warning about other scams were released in 2017, and yet another public warning was issued in 2014.

These previous email and telephone scams have targeted Spanish speakers with threats of deportation, professionals over licensing issues, and members of the general public for supposedly missing jury duty. One scam a few years ago demanded a court “fine” for “illegal software use.”

Anyone receiving such scam documents should report them to local law enforcement. Copies of redacted examples of the recent scams are attached to this press release.

Dear Friend & Advocate,

We are seeking volunteer attorneys to provide advice by phone to pre-screened clients at the Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) / Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County (LASPBC) REMOTE FAMILY LAW CLINIC. We are looking for attorneys who are willing to volunteer to provide advice to three clients over a three-hour period.  The remote clinic will be conducted twice a month through 2021, on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month. FRLS and the LASPBC have many requests for advice on family law matters, divorce, modification of child support, and timesharing that are outside of our priority areas. We will provide free training in family law and other areas if you are willing to volunteer. Please consider helping us bridge the justice gap and sign up for a slot, or two!

When:  First Tuesday and Third Thursday of every month

Time:    9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Where:  Provide Advice from Anywhere!

FRLS will facilitate the clinics and cover the malpractice coverage for the pro bono attorney’s work on behalf of any referred client and Legal Aid will provide the pro bono credit.

To volunteer please contact: Kimberly Rommel-Enright at [email protected]   or Alison Marshall at [email protected]

The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its Jan. 29, 2021, meeting: The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors: Two lawyers are needed to serve three-year terms, commencing July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2024. This 33-member board administers Florida’s IOTA program. Directors shall be members of the Foundation during their terms as directors.

Persons interested in applying may click here to download the Application for Special Appointment or call The Florida Bar at (850) 561-5757 to obtain the application form. Completed applications must be received by the Executive Director, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300, or submitted via e-mail to [email protected] no later than the close of business on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the required application. The Board of Governors will review all applications and may request telephone or personal interviews.

Following a successful seating of the Grand Jury on October 14, Chief Judge Krista Marx is allowing limited jury trials in October and November. The two to three day trials will occur in both the criminal and civil divisions and will be presided over by Judges Cheryl Caracuzzo, Joseph Marx, Daliah Weiss, Glenn Kelley, John Kastrenakes, and August Bonavita. The Chief Judge will preside over the juror voir dire. Trials will be held on October 27, November 4, and November 17.

The Circuit, working with the County, the Clerk, and the Sheriff, have taken extraordinary measures to protect the health of persons summonsed for jury service. Potential jurors will enter a security door, separate from the public, and will be provided with personal protective equipment throughout their service. The seating in the jury selection rooms as well as in the courtrooms are properly spaced, according to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. As an added precaution, the trial courtrooms have been outfitted with plexiglass. Additionally, all areas utilized by jurors will be frequently sanitized. With these safety procedures in place, jurors should feel confident that the Circuit is taking every precaution to ensure they can fulfill their important constitutional duty, safely.

Please click here to review the latest court update.

The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, one of twenty circuits in Florida, follows the directives of the Florida Supreme Court and the Chief Judge of the Circuit. On September 9, 2020, the Circuit met the Florida Supreme Court requirements needed to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 ( of four phases). The Circuit shall remain in Phase 2 until the Chief Judge determines that the Circuit meets the Florida Supreme Court’s requirements needed to transition to Phase 3. It is important to know that the Florida Supreme Court phases are distinct and independent of the phases associated with the Governor’s plan for Florida’s recovery. The Governor’s recent Executive Order moving Florida counties into Phase 3 does not usurp the Chief Judge’s decision with regard to the courts. While in Phase 2, masks remain mandatory for all persons entering any of the five courthouses.

Chief Judge Krista Marx has announced that on October 14, October 27, November 4, and November 17, the Circuit will summons jurors for service. The Circuit, working with the County, the Clerk, and the Sheriff, have taken extraordinary measures to protect the health of persons summonsed for jury service. Potential jurors will enter a security door, separate from the public, and will be provided with personal protective equipment throughout their service. The seating in the jury selection room is properly spaced, according to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. The trial courtrooms are outfitted with plexiglass and the jury deliberation rooms contain both plexiglass and air “scrubbers,” which are devices that eliminate airborne microorganisms. Additionally, all areas utilized by jurors will be frequently sanitized. With these safety procedures in place, jurors should feel confident that the Circuit is taking every precaution to ensure they can fulfill their important constitutional duty, safely.

Nominations are still being accepted for the annual pro bono service awards, which honor lawyers, judges, law firms, and associations that have contributed extraordinary pro bono service. The nomination deadline for all categories is Thursday, October 22, 2020, no later than 5 p.m.

Every year, in a ceremonial session of the Florida Supreme Court, more than two dozen lawyers and judges are honored by the court and The Florida Bar for the free legal assistance they have provided. For each of these members of The Florida Bar, as well as a law firm and a voluntary bar association, this honor underscores a professional commitment to service and acknowledges the many hours of pro bono work performed to help children, victims of human trafficking, the elderly, refugees, the poor and countless others who wouldn’t be able to afford the legal assistance they so badly need.

The 2021 pro bono service awards ceremony will be held at the Florida Supreme Court at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, January 28, 2021.

The road to this annual ceremony begins now, with the call for nominations.

The Florida Bar and the chief justice of the Supreme Court invite nominations from legal aid groups, civic organizations, fellow lawyers, and regular citizens who know of a special lawyer, judge, law firm or voluntary bar that has freely given of time and expertise in making legal services available to the poor.

Nominations must be received by Thursday, October 22. The online nomination forms are available on The Florida Bar’s website at for the following award categories:

THE TOBIAS SIMON PRO BONO SERVICE AWARD

Presented annually by the chief justice to a lawyer to recognize extraordinary contributions in ensuring the availability of legal services to the poor. Named for the late Miami civil rights lawyer Tobias Simon, the award represents the Supreme Court’s highest recognition of a private lawyer for pro bono service. All current recipients of The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Awards are considered for this prestigious award, as are direct nominees who have demonstrated exemplary pro bono service over the course of their careers.

THE FLORIDA BAR PRESIDENT’S PRO BONO SERVICE AWARD

This award is given to an outstanding attorney for each of the state’s 20 judicial circuits and to an outstanding attorney among the out-of-state Florida Bar members.

THE LAW FIRM COMMENDATION

This statewide award, presented by the chief justice, recognizes a law firm that has demonstrated a significant contribution in the provision of pro bono legal services to individuals or groups that cannot otherwise afford the services. This award recognizes extraordinary commitment on the part of a law firm to provide access to the courts for all Floridians.

THE VOLUNTARY BAR ASSOCIATION PRO BONO SERVICE AWARD

Presented by the chief justice, this award recognizes a voluntary bar association that has demonstrated a significant contribution in the delivery of legal services on a pro bono basis to individuals or groups that cannot otherwise afford the services. This award recognizes an extraordinary commitment to provide access to the courts for all Floridians.

THE DISTINGUISHED JUDICIAL SERVICE AWARD

Presented by the chief justice, this award is given for outstanding and sustained service to the public, especially as it relates to support of pro bono legal services.

DISTINGUISHED FEDERAL JUDICIAL SERVICE AWARD

This award, presented by the chief justice, recognizes an active or retired federal judge for outstanding and sustained service to the public, whether through legal or civic service or a combination of them, especially as it relates to the support of pro bono legal services.

Florida Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee: Five lawyers, one from each state appellate district, are needed to serve two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The Florida Bar president receives the recommendations of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section for consideration. The committee membership includes 11 lawyers appointed by The Florida Bar and 11 realtors appointed by the Florida Association of Realtors. The committee promotes cordial relations between realtors and attorneys and presents educational seminars.

Florida Rural Legal Services: One attorney is needed to serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2021, on its 20-member Board of Directors. Other appointing organizations are the NBA, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter, ACLU, voluntary bar associations and various other eligible client and community organizations. The mission of Florida Rural Legal Services is to empower low-income individuals, groups and communities by providing them with access to justice through legal advice, representation, and advocacy.

Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference: One delegate is needed to represent the Southern District of Florida to serve a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The biennial conference consists of educational opportunities and meetings (by state) on matters of mutual concern. The Bar’s three delegates contribute to planning and organizing an event during the conference in every odd-numbered year.

Persons interested in applying for these vacancies may click here to download the Application for Special Appointment or should call Bar headquarters at (850) 561-5757, to obtain the application form. Completed applications must be received by the Executive Director, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-2300 or submitted via e-mail to [email protected] no later than the close of business on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the required application. The Board of Governors will review all applications and may request telephone or personal interviews.

Please click here to view the amended AO.

Please note: the latest AO changes are listed in bold print. 

Effective September 21, 2020:

• Judge Renatha S. Francis will preside over Family Division FC/IC, in courtroom 6B.

• Judge Lisa S. Small will preside over Juvenile Division JM/JA, in courtroom 2A.

• Judge Samantha S. Feuer will preside over Circuit Civil AH, in courtroom 11C.

• Judge Bradley G. Harper will preside over County Criminal Division L, in courtroom 9E.