Attorney Survey
The Florida Court System is Seeking Comments
The Florida Supreme Court’s Judicial Management Council would like to hear from you about the Florida Court System. We are updating the strategic plan for the state courts system and need you to tell us how we are doing, what you think works well, and what may need to be improved. Your opinions are important to us. Please take a few minutes to submit your comments and help us make our state courts system more effective at providing justice for all.
All responses are anonymous; they will be compiled together and analyzed as a group. No participant’s answers will be singled out or reported in a way that would allow identification of participants. However, survey responses are public record which must be disclosed upon request.
SURVEY INSTRUCTION: Please take a few moments to answer the following questions.
1.
How much confidence do you have in the following institutions?
(Choose one answer for each item below: None (1), Very Little (2), Some (3), Quite a Lot (4) A Great Deal (5), No Opinion)
Your local county government
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
Local courts / district courts of appeal
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
The Florida Supreme Court
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
Florida executive branch agencies
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
The Florida Legislature
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
The U.S. Supreme Court
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
2.
Please indicate how well you think the Florida Court System is doing in each of the following areas.
(Choose one answer for each item below: Very Poorly (1), Poorly (2), Fair (3), Good (4), Very Good (5), Don't Know)
Judges, magistrates, and hearing officers are knowledgeable about the law and procedures.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Judges, magistrates, and hearing officers maintain high standards of professionalism and ethics at all times.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Court personnel maintain high standards of professionalism and ethics at all times.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Judges, magistrates, and hearing officers reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Court personnel reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Providing resources to those who want to act as their own attorney.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Providing access to legal representation for persons whose income may be too high to receive legal aid but too low to hire an attorney.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Making it easier to do business with the courts or participate in court proceedings over the internet.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Ensuring that facilities are accessible and adequate.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Providing assistance and services to court users such as self-help centers and forms in plain language.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Providing services through problem-solving courts such as drug court, DUI court, mental health court, veterans' court, etc.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Treating all people fairly and with respect.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Informing the public about the courts and the services courts provide.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Protecting the constitutional rights of everyone.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Judges, magistrates, and hearing officers generally provide me with an adequate opportunity to present my cases and represent my clients' views.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Judges, magistrates, and hearing officers generally explain their rulings to all parties.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Judges, magistrates, and hearing officers generally demonstrate fairness in their rulings.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
The court in which I appear most often practices effective case management.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Courts manage resources and services efficiently and accountably.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
Case management and court resources are effectively and efficiently managed through an adequate information technology system.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
The Florida Court System has the capability to monitor and evaluate court performance.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
The court system has effectively managed the conduct of remote proceedings as a result of the pandemic.
1
2
3
4
5
Don't Know
3.
There are a number of reasons why people might not take matters to court. Please check any reasons that you believe might keep individuals from taking a matter to court.
Court costs
Attorney fees
Lack of time / taking time away from work
Lack of confidence in the court system
Can settle out of court
Takes too long to resolve a case
Confusing process
Other - please explain below
If you selected other above, please explain:
4.
What specific suggestions do you have for improving the Florida Court System?
5.
What is your overall opinion of the Florida Court System?
(Choose one answer: Very Poor (1), Poor (2), Fair (3), Good (4), Very Good (5), No Opinion)
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
6.
Please indicate which one of the following most accurately describes your legal practice:
Select:
State attorney / prosecutor
Public defender / regional conflict counsel
Legal aid / legal services
Private practice - criminal defense
Private practice - general civil
Private practice - family
Governmental attorney (local, state, federal)
Other - please explain below
If you selected other above, please explain:
7.
In what Florida county do you most frequently practice?
Select:
Alachua
Baker
Bay
Bradford
Brevard
Broward
Calhoun
Charlotte
Citrus
Clay
Collier
Columbia
Desoto
Dixie
Duval
Escambia
Flagler
Franklin
Gadsden
Gilchrist
Glades
Gulf
Hamilton
Hardee
Hendry
Hernando
Highlands
Hillsborough
Holmes
Indian River
Jackson
Jefferson
Lafayette
Lake
Lee
Leon
Levy
Liberty
Madison
Manatee
Marion
Martin
Miami-Dade
Monroe
Nassau
Okaloosa
Okeechobee
Orange
Osceola
Palm Beach
Pasco
Pinellas
Polk
Putnam
Santa Rosa
Sarasota
Seminole
St. Johns
St. Lucie
Sumter
Suwannee
Taylor
Union
Volusia
Wakulla
Walton
Washington
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and providing feedback. This window will close after you click "Finish / Submit Survey."