1	Justice for All Floridians
2	Important Change Approved by voters nearly 4 years ago Amendment to the Florida Constitution Article V: Revision 7 changes funding for the Judicial Branch Effective July 1, 2004
3	Article V: Revision 7 Over half of our courts’ budget now comes from county funds Larger portions of the courts’ funding to come from state coffers Significant fiscal challenge for the State and Legislature
4	New Funding The State will be responsible for funding: Most aspects of State Courts System Offices of State Attorneys Offices of Public Defenders Court-Appointed Counsel User Fees will fund: Offices of the Clerks of Court (when performing court-related functions)
5	County Funding The Counties will continue to fund: Facilities Security Existing criminal justice information systems Communications Local requirements
6	Impact All Floridians will be affected New funding structures will be implemented Constitutional obligations to Floridians Court system should not be disrupted Courts must continue to receive adequate funding
7	The Court System The Court System touches all our lives Victims of crime Participants in lawsuits Property disputes Drug treatment programs Child custody disputes
8	Impacting You The work of the courts directly impacts: Public Safety Business and Commerce Our Families and Children Our Communities
9	Six Key Points Why the courts are important to you. Why the courts are important to your community.
10	Protecting Democracy 1. Our Courts protect democracy by: Upholding the law Ensuring individual rights and liberties Enforcing public order Providing for a peaceful resolution of disputes
11	2.8 Million Cases Approximately 2.8 million new cases are filed each year Juvenile and adult crime Drug and alcohol addiction Child, spousal, and elder abuse Divorce, paternity, adoption, child custody & support Guardianship and probate Civil disputes Traffic and administrative matters
12	Alternative Dispute Resolution Our courts provide: Mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution Litigants with the opportunity for greater self-determination regarding the final outcome of their cases.
13	Criminal Justice 2. Our courts, working with other criminal justice partners, safeguard victims’ rights, determine guilt or innocence of the accused, and impose appropriate punishment.
14	1.1 Million Criminal Cases There were over one million criminal cases filed last year including: felony crimes misdemeanor crime nearly 56,000 drug offenses
15	Resolving Disputes 3. Our courts resolve personal, business, and property disputes: The business community is a major user of the justice system 1.2 million civil cases filed last year
16	Protecting Families 4. Our courts protect families, children, the elderly, and the infirm: Almost half a million cases filed in our courts involve family, children, the elderly and the infirm National leader in family court issues More than 18% of Florida’s population is 65 and older From 1996 to 2000, judicial reviews of guardianship matters increased by 28%
17	Under 1% of the Total State Budget 5. Our courts are allocated less than 1% of the total state budget: State Courts System’s budget was only 0.58% of last year’s budget Even after Revision 7, the State Courts System will likely receive less than 2% of the budget
18	National Comparisons Florida judges handle 31% more filings per year than the national average Florida has 3.1 judges per 100,000 while the national average is 3.5
19	Effective Administration 6. Our Courts, State Attorneys, and Public Defenders need reasonable and adequate funding to ensure that justice continues to be carried out in a fair, timely, and impartial manner. Effective administration requires: safe, functional facilities and infrastructure logistical, technological & administrative support well trained workforce
20	Core Functions Adequate and continued funding to support the following core court functions: Judges and their assistants Court administrators and staff Case management staff Court interpreters and reporters Masters and hearing officers Legal staff Expert and witness expenses Psychological evaluations
21	Other Important Responsibilities Funding should also be provided for state attorneys, public defenders, court appointed counsel and programs and services that are necessary and integral to the effective operation of the local courts.
22	What Could Happen? Think about what might happen in your community if the courts do not receive adequate funding: Criminal Courts Civil Courts Family and Probate Courts Local Economy Public Trust and Confidence
23	If You Believe… That courts matter in your community That a fair, effective, and well-functioning court system is vital to our democracy That there must be Justice for all Floridians Then we need your help
24	What You Can Do Learn more about what the courts do in your community. Talk to your family members, friends, and co-workers Call, write, or visit your local legislators. Tell them that you believe adequate funding for the courts should be a top legislative priority!
25	Local Questions & Answers What are your local issues? How will the new structure affect you? What are your concerns? What else do you want to know?
26	Contact Information Contact us at: