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TH 8.A. CHIEF JUDGE CYNTHIA ANGELOS OF 19 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT – ADDRESS TO COMMISSION CONCERNING ARTICLE V, REVISION 7 Chairman Ginn moved this item ahead of Item 5.D. and the Consent Agenda in order to not detain the judges who were present on this matter. Chief Judge Cynthia Angelos introduced the judges who had joined her to show their concern and support for State funding of the court system. Florida judges are concerned that the judicial branch of government will not be funded as of July 1, 2004. She urged the Commissioners to join the judges to help convey to local state representatives that their budget needs adequate funding. A film entitled Freedom was shown regarding the Florida Court System and how Revision 7 Article V will affect the system and what has happened in other states with reduced budgets. The film urged everyone to contact their representatives without delay. Judge Angelos specified that the budget cuts proposed by Governor Jeb Bush will affect Family Court and how staff (pro se coordinators) that helps judges move cases along would be lost. A loss there will put an extra load on the judges who already have too many cases. Judge Burton Connor , a St. Lucie County resident, reviewed his handout. (copy on file with the backup in the Office of the Clerk to the Board.) He stressed the importance of understanding that the Family and Juvenile Division comprises almost half the caseload in our Circuit Courts. Many of these cases are handled pro se and no attorney is required. It is important to have the self-help funding, otherwise those cases would fall on the judges and slow down other cases. He further pointed out that family and juvenile cases last for a longer time than others and the state court system is 300 judges behind where it ought to be. He urged the Commissioners to use their political strength. February 3, 2004 17