Leon County Clerk of Courts, Civil Customer Assistance Division

*Handles Small Claims Court for hearings for claims where the dollar amount is $8,000 or less *County Civil Court for hearings for cases involving claims where the dollar amount involved is more than $8,000 but does not exceed $50,000 *The court stresses the importance that the claim is filed against the right party; The additional time spent researching the correct name could make a difference in the ability to collect on any judgment entered by the court *Copies of any contracts, notes, leases, receipts, or other evidence in support of the claim must be furnished for each person sued and the court; The originals must be brought to the first court appearance *A full explanation of the reason for the small claims action will be necessary *Other office locations: 1276 Metropolitan Blvd, Rm 101; 315 S Calhoun St, 7th Floor

Services: Small Claims Courts

Leon County Clerk of Courts, Traffic Citations

*Allows persons charged with a moving traffic violation to attend driver improvement school (NON-eligible are violations involving driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, speeding in excess of 30 MPH or leaving a child under 6 unattended in a vehicle) *Two benefits: no points assessed against license and the violation "adjudication withheld" *Civil penalty, reduced fine plus court costs required to be paid and attendance must be completed within two months of election to attend; election affidavit must be notarized and submitted with payment.

Services: Records/Licenses/Permits, Traffic Courts

Second Judicial Circuit Court, Teen Court

*Sentencing hearing for first time juvenile misdemeanor and felony offenders where everyone involved in courtroom proceeding is a teenager except judge; volunteers and past defendants fulfilling sentences come to sit on jury duty; non-judicial proceeding conducted by trained teen attorneys, bailiffs, and jurors *Jury of only teenage peers decides a just verdict for defendant and case; defendant, upon successful completion, charges dropped *Can be used for community service hours for many different scholarship programs *Teens from counties surrounding Leon may use the program if desired

Services: Alternative Sentencing/Supervision, Juvenile Courts

Second Judicial Circuit, Early Childhood Court

*Problem-solving court for families with an open juvenile dependency case involving a child 0 to 3 *Parent must request that their case enter Early Childhood Court (ECC) and voluntarily participate in the model which requires: willing to work a case plan and want to reunify with their child; and able to engage in a monthly meeting, monthly court hearing, and services, including child-parent psychotherapy to build, heal, or maintain their attachment with their 0-3 year old *ECC does not guarantee reunification for the parent and child; however, the parent will be supported by a team of professionals to overcome barriers they encounter as they work towards reunification

Services: Alternative Sentencing/Supervision, Juvenile Courts

US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida

*Deals with Northern District of Florida bankruptcy filed cases; case begun by filing of petition on-line *Chapter 7, most common type filed by individuals, involves almost complete liquidation of assets of debtor, and discharge of most debts; Chapters 11, 12 and 13 *Purpose of bankruptcy laws: give honest debtor "fresh start" by relieving debtor of most debts, and to repay creditors in orderly manner to extent that debtor has property available for payment *Other district offices: Pensacola, Winston E Arrow Federal Building, 100 N Palafox St, Ste 154; Gainesville, 401 S First Ave, 32601

Services: Bankruptcy Courts