State Representative Michael Beltran (R-District 70) discusses his proposed legislation, House Bill 617, which would provide law clerks for Circuit Court Judges.

This episode explores the reasons which prompted the bill, including:

• How this idea will help replicate, for Civil and Criminal Division Judges, some of the advantages enjoyed by Federal Judges in terms of staffing resources;
• Addressing the lack of important opportunities which are needed for judicial efficiency when reading briefs, doing research, helping to draft written Orders and in reviewing motions with supporting documents prior to hearings; and
• Suggesting how Law Clerks can help Civil Divisions have hearings to achieve faster adjudications by increasing Judicial “bandwidth.”

Rep. Beltran also discusses Legislative funding for the Judicial Branch of government in Florida, in a State where the budget is between $115 billion to $120 billion, but only a small percentage of those funds are devoted to the Courts.

The Florida Senate Related Bill is SB 1204. The full House Bill text can be seen at https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=79188. The Bill was introduced on November 21, 2023, and if enacted, would go into effect July 1, 2024.

The podcast was recorded on February 6, 2024. Hosted by Jeffrey Adelman and produced by Mitch Chester. Sponsored by Trilogy Trial Consultants. https://trilogytrial.com/