CS/CS/SB 130 also known as Greyson's Law amends two statutes in an effort to refine the descriptions of what constitutes evidence or risks of domestic violence for use in child custody determinations and in domestic violence injunction proceedings. Section 61.13, F.S., expands the list of factors a court must consider when determining whether shared parental responsibility, meaning shared authority to make decisions for a child, would be detrimental to a child.

The new factors require the court to also consider:

• Evidence of domestic violence;
• Whether a parent, in the past or currently, has reasonable cause to believe that he or she or the minor child is or has been in imminent danger of becoming a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence by the other parent, even if no legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court;
• Whether either parent, in the past or currently, has reasonable cause to believe that the shared minor child is or has been in imminent danger of becoming a victim of abuse, abandonment, pending; and
• Any other relevant factors

Additionally, when a parental responsibility or time-sharing schedule is established or modified by a court, the “best interest of the child” factors that the court must consider are expanded to include evidence that a parent has or has had reasonable cause to believe that he or she or the minor child is in imminent danger of becoming a victim of domestic violence.

Section 741.30, F.S., expands the factors a court must consider when determining whether to issue a domestic violence injunction. The court must consider whether the respondent named in the petition has engaged in a pattern of abusive or threatening behaviors which demonstrates a continuing purpose and which reasonably causes the petitioner to believe that he or she or the minor shared child is in imminent danger of becoming a victim of an act of domestic violence.

Additionally, the bill adds another option on the sworn form that a petitioner may select when filing a petition for a domestic violence injunction. The additional option is that the respondent has engaged in a pattern of abusive, threatening, intimidating, or controlling behavior composed of a series of acts over a period of time, however short. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023.

Cite: Florida Senate Bill Analysis

Here are some of the upcoming tax-free holidays that you don't want to miss out on. Please note there are two holidays for disaster preparedness and back-to-school supplies.

• May 27-June 9, 2023 - Disaster Preparedness supplies
• May 29-September 4, 2023 - Freedom Summer which includes admissions to music events, sporting events, cultural events, state park annual passes, and fitness facilities, as well as certain boating and water activity supplies, camping supplies, fishing supplies, general outdoor supplies, residential pool supplies, children’s athletic equipment, and children’s toys.
• Click here for more information
• July 24-August 6, 2023 - Back-to-School supplies
• August 26-September 8, 2023 - Disaster Preparedness supplies
• September 2-September 8, 2023 - Tools and Equipment
• January 1-January 14, 2023 - Back-to-School supplies

If you are an individual representing yourself in a court matter, you can electronically file your documents by registering with the Florida Courts e-filing website. The video will show you how to register for an account with the Florida Courts e-filing website.

It's time to start thinking of the impact you could have on the Seminole County community. We ask you to please join us in our efforts to maintain the wonderful quality of life we enjoy in Seminole County by donating your time and talents to help a disenfranchised person(s) with their legal needs or by providing an in lieu of service monetary donation to help support our legal program. Below is a link to our 2023 Pro Bono Registration form for your consideration. Click here to let us know how you plan to impact the Seminole County community.

Watch the video below to learn how to apply for a filing fee waiver with the courts if you are unable to afford it.

As a college student, there are already so many important things pressing on your mind like exam due dates, homework assignments, and juggling your personal responsibilities, the last thing you should have to worry about is an eviction or time-sharing issues. Our staff attorneys will be on campus every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 11:00am-3:00pm in order to help student address any legal concerns they have that may be affecting their ability to focus on graduation.

Location: 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, FL 32771, Student Center Building, Room: SC260

Upcoming Dates:

June 8th

June 22nd

July 13th

July 27th

For more information email Camryn Williams at camrynw@scbalas.com

Our sealing and expungement workshop takes place both virtually and in-person. We are so grateful to volunteer Attorney Erin Greene who presents at ProjectRise each month and Attorney Andrew Chmelir who presents at the Sanford Library and online.

Don't let that arrest on your record prevent you from getting the job of your dreams. In partnership with Goodwill Industries, our office holds a workshop to learn from our experienced volunteer attorneys how to seal or expunge your record. This workshop takes place every first Wednesday of the month in-person at the Sanford Library and virtually every third Wednesday of the month via Zoom.

You may qualify if you had:

• Adjudication withheld or charges dropped
• AND never previously sealed or expunged your record

To check the list of disqualifying crimes, click here.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.: 23-06 2ND AMENDED SUPERSEDES 23-06 AMENDED

IN RE: JUDGES - ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.: 23-19-S AMENDED SUPERSEDES 23-19-S

IN RE: EVIDENCE – CLERK OF COURT’S PROCEDURES HANDLING EVIDENCE

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.: 23-22 SUPERSEDES 12-35 AND 17-14-S

IN RE: ADMINISTRATIVE RULES – ORDER ESTABLISHING MEDIA POLICY FOR COVERAGE OF CASES, INCLUDING SPECIAL INTEREST/HIGH PROFILE CASES AND ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTED AREAS FOR PRESS CONFERENCES, PUBLIC ASSEMBLY, AND PUBLIC PROTESTS

Upcoming Events

June 1, 2023 - ProjectRISE Presentation at the Sharing Center

June 8, 2023 - Seminole State College Legal Advice Clinic

June 15, 2023 - Veterans Free Legal Advice Clinic

June 21, 2023 - Virtual Sealing and Expungement

June 22, 2023 - Seminole State College Legal Advice Clinic