E-Mail from Chief Judge Peter M. Weinstein Broward County re eFiling
Email from Chief Judge, Peter M. Weinstein, 17th Judicial Circuit.
On April 1, 2013 mandatory efiling in the probate, civil, and family divisions of Circuit Court and the civil and small claims divisions of County Court become a reality. As of that date, all attorneys will be required to electronically file pleadings in new and existing cases through the efiling portal.
This is a welcome addition to our Judicial system as it will help us to effectively manage the tremendous volume of pleadings filed each year and make court documents more accessible.
There are some important points to remember so please take note of the following:
The clerk will maintain a hybrid system. That means that paper files will be kept for all existing cases and all pleadings filed on or after April 1 will be stored electronically.
Please do not try to electronically file pleadings in divisions other than those mentioned above.
Attorneys should still provide courtesy copies of pleadings to the judges and magistrates who request them.
Attorneys should still bring proposed orders to hearings. Once the judge enters the order the clerk will have it scanned into the system.
While we have a pilot program for efiling of court orders, it is not applicable to all divisions. We recognize that this initiative will have growing pains and we ask all participants to be patient as the system evolves. Ultimately, court files will be totally accessible to all who wish to access them. I would like to extend sincere thanks to Hon. Howard Forman and his staff and our information technology staff of the 17th judicial circuit for their extraordinary efforts and cooperation in bringing efiling to our circuit. Special thanks also go the judges who have helped pioneer efiling in our circuit including Judges Mel Grossman, Jack Tuter and Martin Bidwill.
If you require any additional information, it is posted on the Clerk of the Court court website www.browardclerk.org
Best Wishes,
Peter M. Weinstein
Chief Judge
17th Judicial Circuit